The last time Umeå in northern Sweden was invaded it was by the Russians during the particularly bloody battle of Sävar on the 19^th August, 1809.

Last Friday evening, a little over 202 years later, another foreign force entered the City of Birches, although this time it was an assault of the more sensory kind as I tasted an army of Danish beers at Duå’s monthly beer club.

Almost 20 Danish beers made the long journey up to Umeå

The idea was to demonstrate that although we often talk (quite correctly) about the craft beer revolution starting on the west coast of the United States we should not forget that we’ve since had a beer revolution much closer to home.

As we wage our own beer revolution across Europe today it’s sometimes easy to overlook the fact that many of Denmark’s craft breweries and brewing personalities are already battle-hardened veterans. They’ve lived through an explosion of new Danish breweries at the turn of the millennium (from 19 in 2002 to over 100 in 2008), followed by the inevitable culling of many of them as they struggled to compete in such a small home market.

Thankfully the majority of them emerged, slimmer, fitter and more hungry than ever, turning the Danish beer market into one of the most vibrant, experimental and fearless brewing scenes in the world right now.

When I wrote last year that the best thing about Sweden’s best beer show is Denmark it might have sounded a little controversial but if the beers we tasted last Friday are any indication then we’ve still got plenty we can learn from our Nordic neighbours:

Amager Summer Fusion: A rare ‘Californian Common’, a style of beer that uses a lager yeast and then ‘stresses’ it by brewing at higher temperatures, resulting in a beer that displays the crispness of a lager and the fruity notes of an ale. Beautiful tropical fruit aromas courtesy of the considerable amount of US hop varities and a beer I’d love to see on the shelves of my local supermarket. Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Hornbeer DryHop: Described as a premium lager but if you’d served this to me blind I’d have pegged it for an APA or even an IPA. As the name suggests a beer aggressively dry-hopped with only Amarillo. Reminded me of Oppigårds’ classic pale ale but doesn’t really come close. Won a silver at the recent SBWF. Rating: 3.6 out of 5

Raasted Rug IPA: Raasted head brewer Martin Jensen is a man who (just like the beer bottle labels that depict him) always seems to have a smile on his face and he’ll get me doing it too if he keep producing beers as great as this one. It’s the Nelson Sauvin nose that shines through for me, adding a layer of mango smoothie to a biting hoppy finale. If this beer doesn’t make you smile you should really consider drinking wine. Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Djävlebrygg Son of Nekron: This 6.5% porter made a brief appearance at the Systembolaget last November and it was fun to revisit it again. The distinctly smoky character from the peat smoked malts used is still there, together with some dark fruit (raisins and prunes), some E4 (tarmac) and burnt brown sugar. The sort of beer made for cold winter evenings. Rating: 3.9 out of 5

Amager Lust: This horny, hoppy beer is the first in Amager’s Sinner Series and a beer I was particularly looking forward to trying, having missed out on sinning (at the Danish stand at least) at the SBWF this year. The provocative label shows plenty of cleavage but the beer itself was a bit of a bust for me with an overpoweringly sweet taste and rather forgetful Belgium nose. At best I was mildly aroused. Rating: 2.9 out of 5.

Amager Gluttony: The second ‘sin beer’ of the night and here I guzzled and gorged on an orgy of grapey, citrusy hop flavours squeezed into this remarkable 9.4% ABV DIPA. If drinking this is a sin then I confess I’m heading downstairs with a smile on my face. Sensational stuff and just pips Raasted for the beer of the night. Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Black Rooster Oak ‘n’ Islay Edition: This 6.7% Imperial Stout was specially brewed for last year’s SBWF and has made a welcome return. Aged in Caol Ila Whisky casks it draws the toast and vanilla from the oak into the beer. Not too overpowering but a disturbing saltiness bothered me. Rating: 3.3 out of 5.

Next month’s BeerTalk at Duå is on Friday November 25th under the theme ”Who Needs a Brewery Anyway?”.

By the time you read this letter I’ll be gone. I’ve left to travel to Scotland for a few days to brew some beer with those guys again. Rumour has it I may even get a chance to mash in on an upcoming Abstrakt beer! I hear it could be black, extremely imperial, involve whisky casks and some sort of fruit, so I’ve taken my video camera with me and will try and capture some exclusive footage for you.

I’ll promise to try and keep in touch while I’m over there but you know how it is sometimes. Luckily BeerSweden Trev has one of those ‘live’ episodes of BSTV lined up featuring none other that Black Tokyo Horizon (which, you’ll be pleased to hear, is probably the first ever video review of this amazing beer), so make sure you watch out for that.

I'm taking to the open road later this month!

I also wanted to tell you about a few other things that are coming up in what promises to be the craziest month of my beery career ever. Any of your followers who live in or around Umeå are in for a real treat between now and Christmas with my monthly beer club at Duå kicking off again in September after the summer recess. The first tasting (two sittings) takes place on Friday September 16^th and the theme is ‘No Monks Allowed – An Alternative Belgium Beer Tasting’. Pretty much speaks for itself doesn’t it! You’re supposed to get in touch with Duå in Umeå on 090-7800303 to book your place.

Before that on Tuesday 13^th September I’ll be in Stockholm for the first ever BeerSweden Forum meet-up.  The fun starts at Akkurat at 8pm and finishes up at Oliver Twist. It promises to be a night of great beer and the chance for BSF members to get to know each other IRL (In Real Life). Your followers who use Facebook can let me know if they’re coming here.

After that things really start picking up speed. I’m hitting the road for a four day road trip through southern Sweden between September 20-23^rd, starting with a BrewDog food and beer pairing event at De Klomp in Linköping, before cruising by some great beer bars on our way to Gothenburg, where we’ll round things off on the night of the 22^nd September with a huge BrewDog total tap takeover party at the Bishops Arms Plaza.  It’s going to be epic – sort of like Thelma and Louise with penguins. 

The following week the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival 2011 kicks off but that, as they say, is a whole new story….

Look after yourself while I’m away (and keep an eye on Ingrid and that BeerSweden Forum for me). Missing you already!

Darren

Do you prefer the grape to the grain? Are you bowled over by Bordeaux but pass when it comes to pilsner?

Then write this date down in your diary – Saturday, September 18^th – the day when I’ll attempt to change the way you think about the worlds two favourite alcoholic drinks forever.

Now I know it’s a big ask but having recently tried the five beers I’m going to be serving up at the first ever Beer Club at Duå Delikatessbutik in Umeå I honestly believe I can do it!

Some (but not all) of the beers we're tasting at the 'Beer for Wine Lovers' tasting might be in this photo. But to find out which ones you need to book your place fast!

I’m not going to give away too many details of the beers we’re going to try (I want you all to turn up with minds wide open!) but this much I can now reveal:

One of these beers is as shockingly pink as a fruity Rosé, another gives off delicate smells of lavender and honey reminiscent of a fine desert wine while another is aged for months in red wine Bourgogne barrels and is so wine-like to sniff I’d challenge anyone to pick it out as a beer with their eyes shut!

All the five exclusive beers we’ll be trying have some connection to wine, either in the way they are made or in their flavours and aromas.

I’ll also be taking the opportunity during the evening to bust a few common myths about beer and wine, particularly when it comes to pairing them with food.

Demand for this “Beer for Wine Lovers’ tasting has been so great we’re actually going to hold two tastings back-to-back so that as many people as possible can get the opportunity to try these hard-to-get beers.

The first tasting will start at 17:00 and the second one kicks off at 19:30. After that everyone is invited for a spot of ‘ölmingel’ where as an added bonus there will be a selection of great beers from Swedish beer importer Brill & Co available to try!

If you want to join me and the Duå boys for a night of beery revelations then here’s all the contact details you need:

090-7800303

www.duaumea.se

info@duaumea.se

duaumea.blogspot.com

I hope to see some of you at Umeå’s trendiest Beer Club (Ed note: actually it’s Umeå’s only beer club) soon!

Until then…..Cheers and Beers!

Darren

* Couldn’t resist getting my own back Bengt Frithiofsson.

I was going to hold back a bit with this news but I’m so excited that to hell with keeping it under wraps! From September I, along with the super talented trio at Duå delikatessbutik in Umeå will be launching the city’s first ever monthly Beer Club!

We’re putting the finishing touches to the concept now but clear the date of Saturday, September 18th in your diary right away as you’re seriously not going to want to miss this one.

We”re going to be opening the doors of Umeå’s finest deli and food studio in Storgatan in Umeå to invite a limited number of guests to join us for an evening of exclusive beers in the company of yours truly. And these wont be just any old beers people! I’ll be spending the summer searching the country (and far beyond) for some of the most exciting brews to bring with me to Duå each and every month.

Every month the beer theme will change – kicking off in September with Beer ‘v’ Wine when I’ll be busting a few myths spread around by the ‘grape guys and girls’ and proving once and for all why beer is the best drink in town!

As well as the opportunity to learn about and try some exceptionally hard-to-get beers Per, Lars and Anders will be transforming their place into a laid back ‘club’ where you can relax and mingle. As anyone who has ever been into Duå and eaten there knows these guys are as crazy, creative and passionate about food as I am about beer so you can expect a very special evening.

I’ll post more details as soon as I can but until then check out Duå’s Facebook page to keep up with what these food fanatics are up to. If you’re interested in joining us for the inaugural Beer Club in September then contact Duå on 090-780 03 03 or email the guys at info@duaumea.se.

Places are very limited so please book early to avoid disappointment (and missing out on some sensational beers!)

Cheers and Beers!

Darren