Bomber from Engelsmann, shared with SuIIy on 5/21/06. Best Before February 2007. Very deep chestnut tinges in a dark mahogany body, well-settled out, but showing low filtration and natural carbonation. Light butter-tan head is large, consisting of medium-large bubbles. Strong retention, minimal lacing. The nose is actually quite reserved. Soily, earthy floor malts with walnuts, pumpernickel and light anise-tinged hops that are herbal-nutty and tastefully done. The hops tease the palate, as soft, dry brown sugar notes and minor cola hints flitter about. A prominent sweetness begins to slowly build, but never does it become rich or overdone. Light cream, honey and dry cocoa notes finish out the beer as a touch of the earthiness makes a come-back. Flavor is unique, to say the least. The aroma was somewhat expected, but the flavor begins with dry leaves, mixed about by nutty yeast and dry cola notes. Quickly, some light anise and dry chocolate graham crackers enter the mix, continuing the dry trend. But a note of deeply citric, but not overly flavorful hops drives right down to the back of the palate. It’s one of the strangest hop notes I’ve tasted. Being neither acidic nor in-your-face, I guess I would best describe it as subtle grapefruit rind notes. The sweetness quickly follows, though by no means would I call this a sweet beer. Rather, the attenuation is high, leading to a drinkability and medium body, which, when bolstered by the fairly tight carbonation, gives you something along the lines of a Southern English Brown (with American hops). Roastiness is minimal as well, though it is there, just more deeply integrated with the crunchy earthy/soily/nutty dry malts. No alcohol whatsoever. I get some retronasal, light coffee notes, almost hazelnut-like.

[Draught at Købehavnske Øldage] Extremely black, small brownish head. Aroma of lactic raspberries and licorice. Tarry, thick and alcoholic with extremely concentrated flavours. All possible stout flavours zipped down into one tiny point, with gravity like a black hole. Very complex, but also a little much, and a perhaps too sweet for me.

[Draught at Købehavnske Øldage] Cloudy amber, no head. Strong aroma of salted lychee. Vast amounts of malt generates a soft, firm mouthfeel as well as some toffee flavours. The bitterness is camouflaged by malt sweetness. Combining Thomas Hardys Ale with a hoppy American barley wine.

[Draught at Købehavnske Øldage] Clear reddish orange. Tart lactic nose. Very dry with near full body. Some barnyard and citric acid. Authentic lambic flavour, but not as complex as some of the real masterpieces.

[Draught at Købehavnske Øldage] Cloudy amber, rich head. Sweaty melon and pineapple aroma. Medium sweetness up front, drier towards the finish. Medium bodied with pleasantly soft mouthfeel. Dominated by the aromatic hops.

[Draught at Købehavnske Øldage] Very black, creamy brown head. Dryish with creamy soft mouthfeel. Notes of tobacco, but coffee dominates. Very roasty. Long salty bitter finish.

[Draught at Købehavnske Øldage - My 1000th Scandinavian rating] Very black, brief brown head. Rich aroma of coffee and licorice. Medium sweet with near full body. Fruity with some lemony notes and a harder moutfheel than in the regular version. There’s a hint of ash in the salty hop bitter finish.