An Imperial Porter
Närke Kulturbryggeri, Örebro, Sweden 9.5% ABV. A 250ml bottle that is not available at Systembolaget but through selected bars only.
As dark as an afternoon in northern Sweden in the depths of winter this beer is simply spectacular to look at in the glass. With most other beers a casual glance is all that is required but this beer grabs your attention and never lets it go. The thick, impenetrably black and oily-looking body resides under the most impressive cinnamon head of any beer I have seen in years. Watching this beer while you give it a whirl is like watching Avatar for the very first time - visually overwhelming.
And so to the smell and where to begin.....chocolate powder sprinkled over liquorice, slightly over-ripe prunes (which combined with the alcohol reminded me of the heady eau-de-vie de prune I sometimes drink when I'm down in southern France), burnt fruitcake, roasted nuts, tar, a touch of pavement, tobacco leaves and a splash of caffè macchiato. And that's just for starters........
All the aromas, and I mean every single one of them, cross over into the taste of the beer so I won't repeat myself. What deserves to be pointed out is the mouth feel, with a simultaneous sensation of oiliness and creaminess that's as baffling is it is amazing. The 9.5% ABV is deftly carried with an elegance and 'lightness' that is unrivalled in other beers I have tasted.
Don't bother. This beer has more than enough flavours to keep you happy. Sip it, savour it and take your time.
Nerd note
This is the second highest rated beer in Sweden, with only its 'big brother' Kaggen Stormaktsporter ahead of it. I've lost count of the amount of times I've tasted a hyped beer and been disappointed by the reality in the glass but not with this beer. It doesn't just live up to the headlines, it surpasses them. If you ever want to experience true beer artistry get yourself to one of the few pubs in Sweden that sell it and buy a bottle. You shouldn't care how much it costs because I promise you it will be worth every single öre.
Rating
5.0 of 5
