If you’re feeling a little depressed that it’s Monday and the winter Olympics are over then perhaps you can seek cold comfort in the news that seven new beers are being launched at the Systembolaget today.
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Three Swedish micorbreweries are among the newcomers, including a welcome national appearance by Gothenburg-based Ocean Bryggeriet with its ecological Eko Pale Ale, which will be available in circa 35 Sysmbolaget stores throughout the country. I haven’t tried this beer yet so expect a review shortly!
I recently wrote about Nynäshamns Extra Stout and today they launch the second of their new 25cl bottle offerings, this time Bötet Barley Wine. This beer is definitely worth putting in your basket and don’t forget it benefits from ageing a couple of years too.
In my opinion the most exciting of the Swedish beers this time around is Mohawk Rye IPA, the first in a Mohawk trilogy of beers being launched over the next few months.
Mohawk Rye IPA is a very Swedish collaboration between beer importer/distributor Wicked Wine and brewer Stefan Gustavsson and has been brewed at Slottskällans in Uppsala.
Mohawk Rye IPA is the beer I'm most looking forward to trying
The use of rye in beer is very uncommon here in Sweden and according to Wicked Wine helps balance out some of the aggression of the hops for a fresher drinking experience.
Sounds very interesting indeed and I can’t wait to review Mohawk a little later today. Check back tomorrow for the low down on what I hope is going to be a fantastic beer.
Moving overseas there are three very different new beers to choose from: a shockingly sour ale from Belgium with vinegar, berry and woody flavours, a stunning chocolate stout from Brooklyn Brewery that is ‘no-brainer must-buy’ considering the price and the weird but wonderful Schneider Aventinus Weizen-Eisbock, an intensely concentrated 12% ‘ice beer’ that is so rich and sweet one bottle will probably last you all winter.
Last, but certainly not least, is BASHAH – which stands for Black as S”#t Hoppy as Hell – a self-styled Black Belgium Double IPA from brewing mavericks BrewDog and Stone Brewing in the US that tastes just as confusing as it sounds. Expect a review in the next few days.
The Systembolaget doors have just opened, so what are you still doing reading this? Go get ‘em people!
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