Paul McMorrow – Snappy Title TK TK

I have an interview coming up with Norwegian brewers Nøgne Ø. They’re part of the Scandinavian brewing revolution that has brought us Ølfabrikken, Ægir, Nørrebro, Närke, HaandBryggeriet, Møllebyen, and old friends Mikkeller.

Since these guys live and make beer halfway around the world, I don’t get to drink their beers everyday. Hence, this week will involve a lot of, uh, research.

I hit the Wine Gallery yesterday, then knocked off two 500ml bottles while watching shameful reality television programming last night. And here’s how they went down.

The Brown Ale was nice – very chocolaty and easy-drinking, and a lot less hoppy than you’d expect, even for an English style Brown. Maybe that’s just the demented American in me talking.

But the #100 Barleywine – brewed, initially, for in-house consumption to celebrate the brewery’s hundredth batch – oh man, run and hide. This thing’s a monster.

Pours a deep dark color, massive pillowy head, with tons of West Coast hop aroma in the nose. Some of the other reviews online have noted the natural degradation of hop flavor, but this one tasted pretty fresh. The Chinook, Columbus and Centennials show up huge up front, then there’s lots of biscuity goodness in back. It clocks in at 80 IBU’s and 10% abv, though it’s not boozy at all. Really, really lethal stuff. It’s a shame I only bought one.

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