Everywhere it’s Christmas

… at the end of every year.
This was the title of one of the few Beatles songs that never had any official re-release. (Since you asked, it’s on their Christmas album, distributed to their fan club members only.)
Well, one country where they have started celebrating is Sweden, with an impressive list of Christmas beers at the [...]

Read Full Post »

Pig’s Ear again

My more loyal readers will know that I have a habit of turning up at a Christmas beer festival in East London in early December. In addition to the beers, there is also an assorted crowd of tickers and bloggers that I tend to hang out with, and a splendid time is guaranteed – if [...]

Read Full Post »

More than a wee dram

The BrewDog guys have been messing up the beer scene again – this time not even on their own turf. They sent a few used whisky barrels across the North Sea to their colleagues in Grimstad, Norway. And it looks like they inspired them to be a bit bold and boasting on their label, too.
The beers used [...]

Read Full Post »

VGs Christmas beer test

The VG Christmas beer test, where I was on one of the judging panels, is now online. No photos of the juries, though – but a nice plug for my blog.
Here is the jury judging the stronger beers:

Read Full Post »

Three kings

As I’ve mentioned before, the good people at Nøgne Ø have been busy this year, lining up seasonal goodies for their fans at home and abroad.
One beer is a collaboration project between Nøgne Ø, Stone and Jolly Pumpkin, I assume they are the three camel riding kings on the label.
The idea behind this beer is to use the same recipe [...]

Read Full Post »

Going blind II

Mystery glasses

Don’t worry, it was mostly to get your attention.
As I told you, I was invited to be a part of a beer tasting panel for the biggest Norwegian newspaper, VG.
The results, a ranking of all the Norwegian Christmas beers, will be published later this month, and I will not reveal any of the results.
I [...]

Read Full Post »

Special order

When news got out that Nøgne ø had received some whisky casks from their Scottish friends at BrewDog, the expectations were high in the Norwegian beer community.
I won’t bore you with details about the Norwegian state monopoly for alcohol once more, but there is a kind of loophole. If you know that there is a [...]

Read Full Post »

A star is born

The biggest tabloid here in Norway has an annual test of  Christmas beers. This used to feature a number of graying celebrities, but they may have run out of them.
On the recommendation of my drinking buddy Rune, they have invited me to be in the jury this year.
I promise a report from the proceedings. Even [...]

Read Full Post »

Good press for Ægir

Norwegian micro Ægir – named after the brewer of the Norse Gods, has an excellent writeup in the Dagbladet newspaper today. Available online, too, and the photos are even better in the web version.
The coverage is enthusiastic, and the journalist seems to have gotten the facts right, too. Looks like he spent some time on [...]

Read Full Post »

Merry Christmas!

I will be summing up the year later, for now I am running around like a Duracell rabbit. The presents are sent off in all directions, the tree is bought, the pork and turkey and salmon has forced the beers out of the fridge. I see that we still need coffee, milk, carrots and some [...]

Read Full Post »