Haandbryggeriet Norwegian Wood

Here we have a beer brewed with traditional Norwegian brewing techniques. Hailing from Drammen, Norway this small brewery operates in their spare time and brews some very interesting and unique beers. This particular beer is made with smoked malt, munich malt, crystal and chocolate malt and spiced with juniper twigs and berries. We are lucky enough to be able to try their beers in the U.S. due to Shelton Brothers importers. I cracked a bottle not too long ago:

Batch #70. Brewed March '07

Pours into a Tripel Karmeliet chalice an extremely hazy opaque dark brown with three fingers of khaki foam on top that slowly falls. Aromas of smoked malt upfront reminiscent of a dying campfire. The meaty quality is there along with an underlying yeast and juniper spiciness. Very earthy overall.

First sip is robust smoky malts with toasted caramel and cocoa accents. Earthy yeast tones meet up with spicy juniper berry and pine flavors. Mellow sweetness throughout that ends with a spicy finish. Tastes authentic and has an old world feel to it. Tasty smoked ale.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and crisp. Solid spritzy carbonation. Goes down easy. Overall, I found this to be an interesting, tasty brew that I would have again!

Overall this one gets a rating of Great.

Check out the world of Haand Bryggeriet by surfing over to http://www.haandbryggeriet.net/index.html