Backlog March 2009. Amber body under a disappearing off-white head. A bit weak aroma of malt, caramel and dry fruit. Taste is sweet mal, brown sugar, dry fruit and some bitterness. Medium body and moderate aftertaste. A bit average all over.

Can @ home. Very dark amber, close to black body under a big, lacing, dense beige head. Nice aroma of malt and pine with a fruity touch. Taste is balanced sweet malt, gently roasted, lots of piny hops, hint of fruit and pleasant bitterness. Balanced body and nice, bitter aftertaste. A nice, classic well balanced black IPA.

Backlog March 2009 (2006 vintage). Unclear orange body under a small off-white head. Aroma of malt, caramel and citric fruits. Taste has sweet malt, caramel and fruity hops, decent bitterness. Fine body and pleasant aftertaste. Nice one.

It’s always very difficult to rate a NA stout as I believe this is one of the most difficult style a brewer can get involved with. So, my expectations where pretty low this time. The appearance where perfect, with a nitrogen bulb this looks exactly like the original Guinness and the aroma where also more than less exactly the same. The body feels a bit thin, but then again, the original isn’t exactly like an Imperial stout either. The taste itself is the biggest difference, even if all elements as roasted malt, chocolate and coffee etc. is present the total impression is a bit less of everything – as expected actually. Then I think the beer needs to be a bit sweeter, not often I want that but as the dry part of the malt is rather similar to a regular Guinness there is something else missing and at this stage of dry it feels almost sour in a way. But anyway, not very impressive as a beer in general terms, but quite impressive as a NA version of a Guinness. Almost like a novelty beer, but might as well have this again sometimes.

Backlog March 2009. Clear, deep reddish body with almost no head. Lovely fruity aroma dominated by raspberries and acidic lemon. Taste is acidic fruity but also surprisingly sweet at the same time. Strong on the fruity berries and mild on the funk, quite smooth and as an overall impression I find it well made and balanced in a gentle way.