Posted on 09 april 2010. Tags: Beer review, Jämtlands Bryggeri, Jämtlands India Pale Ale
An India Pale Ale (IPA)
Jämtlands Bryggeri, Pilgrimstad, Sweden
5.5% ABV - currently not available in the Systembolaget
An attractive burnished orange/copper colour with a slightly yellowish firm head.
Delivers exactly what the ingredients on the label suggest – spicy citrus US hops dominating over a pleasant caramel malt backbone. There’s just a faint, faint suggestion of soap in there too.
This mash-up interpretation of an IPA uses UK malts and US hops to deliver a contemporary and easy drinking IPA. The balance between both elements is good and would favour those of you that don’t constantly want your tongue brutally assaulted by overly hoped US-style IPAs but who prefer a more mild hoppy buzz instead.
Caramelisation in grilled meats is the perfect foil for IPA’s bitterness and fuller carbonation and helps ‘lighten’ any fat. This IPA is quite gently hopped considering the style and lends itself well to pasta dishes with creamy sauces.
Nerd note
A solid attempt at an IPA and a very welcome one from Jämtlands Bryggeri. This made my ski stop on the side of Renfjället in the Swedish mountains an altogether more pleasant one. It’s certainly nothing spectacular but it does have the refreshment factor. I still detect a soapy quality to the beer (from the house yeast?) that I consistently find in Jämtland’s brews. I wonder if that’s just me or does anyone else experience it too?
Posted in Beer Reviews
Posted on 10 mars 2010. Tags: Jämtlands Bryggeri, Postiljon, Review
A Premium Bitter/ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
Jämtlands Bryggeri
5.8% ABV. Systembolaget Number 11361. 23-50 SEK (500ml bottle)
Pours a clear chestnut brown with a thick vanilla white head.
Interesting. There's some citrus here, some Seville orange peel and grass from the hops and mild coffee and bitter chocolate tones from the malts. Herbal too.
Tastes like herby hops sprinkled on knäckerbröd. There's a soft fruity lusciousness to the mouthfeel - it's smoother than a Barry White love song this is. For clocking in at nearly 6% ABV it hides its alcohol colours very well, with just a hint of booze on the back end.
Premium bitters go well with pork, roasted poultry and red meats. Why not try it together with a classic Sunday roast?
Nerd note
This is a premium bitter in the English style and is probably the most 'decorated' Swedish beer of its kind, having won 7 gold medals at the Stockholm beer Festival in its class, as well as a silver and bronze for best overall Swedish beer. It's quality stuff and certainly reminds me of bitters I used to drink back in the UK. However is it as good as the trophy cabinet suggests? I don't really think so. Five years ago it was a standout brew but I think other breweries have caught up with Jämtlands and are producing even more characterful beers these days.
Posted in Beer Reviews
