-What’s the best beer, then?
That’s the usual response I get when I tell people I’m a beer blogger.
-It depends, I answer. -There are beers for various occasions.
An alternative approach is to say that all beers above the average pilsener are fantastic. Which is almost what Norwegian daily Dagbladet has done today.
They have tested a number of beers available in Norway, domestic and imported, and I find that they have been a bit generous with their superlatives. I also question the low scores for Nøgne ø IPA and a few other beers, while I understand that the Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast might be a bit too much for some.
But, even if I might have objections to some of the scores, this test takes beer seriously, and is so much better than what we usually find in Norwegian newspapers, where the celebrities of yesteryear have strong views on pale lagers. In the present test, each beer style is considered on its own merits, and it is actually something the consumer can take along to his nearest Vinmonopolet store and use as a shopping list.
I get that question all the time and then ask in response “what type of beer do you like” or even “what do you like to drink”. I know many non-beer drinkers who like sweet lambics, for example, and even a few who like austere white wines who like gueuze. If people like coffee or coke or chocolate, there are plenty of strong dark malty beers which have similar flavours. Similarly, if people like citrus juices you are probably going to get them on white beer.
Hoppy beers, however, do not work well as a bridge from anywhere unless the person has a habit of spraying their mouths with aerosol furniture polish. Strong IPAs and even hoppy brown beers are beers for nerds… and maybe only some nerds.
That is all very well, but in Norway, you’ll have to listen carefully to the accent of the person asking. If he’s from the North, you are expected to sing the praises of Mack, if he’s from Bergen, it’s Hansa. No one in their right minds would drink anything but pale lagers anyway.
It was at least gratifying that when I was a kid in Nova Scotia there was an anti- pale lager movement. No one in their right mind wouldn’t order a pale ale with a bit of malt, a bit of grain and even a bit of mustiness. See, the old school average Canadian beer drinker is also a rye whisky drinker. Sales of rye are inordinate in these parts.
Korenwolf in a plastic “glass”. Tut tut.
> But, even if I might have objections to some of the scores …
And to some of the descriptions. They certainly don’t pick up everything. And they seem to have failed to understand the whole concept of IPAs. I get the feeling their “beer experts” are actually wine critics (and a quick Google search confirms that).
Still, by the standards of Norwegian beer journalism this is absolutely outstanding.