Sort Gul - Mikkeller ApS

CowsandBeer

Kansas

3.48/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Purchased from Liquor Mart in Boulder, CO. Poured quite cold from a bottle into a snifter. Lots of sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

Appearance: Delicate pour resulted in a one finger khaki colored head. After a while it faded to some bubbles and a thin cap. Looks almost like greasy dish water. Really dark brown, almost black body.

Smell: Piney hops followed by roasted chocolate malts, tart/sour stone fruits, and cheap coffee.

Taste: Follows the nose. Bitter, citrusy and piney hops, nice chocolate malts, sourish plums and cherries, floral hops, coffee with a little bit of cream, and a drying hop bitterness. Chocolate malts linger for a while. No alcohol warmth.

M: As has been said, great fizzy carbonation. Really helps the beer.

Overall: More of a bitter, fruity porter than anything else. The hops came out a lot more as the beer warmed but I expected it to be hoppier than it was. My favorite thing was the chocolate/coffee notes from the malts. Not my favorite BIPA but an interesting experience nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 05:59:06 | More by CowsandBeer

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.96/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Met my expectation of a tasty black ipa. Bottle from Village Beer Merchant. The roast and hop balance was very good. The hops lead, would it be as good another 2 months? I do not know, good malting aided great drinkability. Somewhat expensive but worth it for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 02:46:39 | More by northyorksammy

kojevergas

California

3.56/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Mikkeller "Sort Gul." 7.30% ABV confirmed. "Black India Pale Ale." I've had a great black IPA from Mikkeller before, so I'm hoping this is up to par. Mikkel's my favourite brewer; expectations are high. 11.2 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard black pressure cap served into a conical Samuel Smith's pint glass in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Brewed and bottled at De Proef. Imported by the Shelton Bastards.

Served straight from the fridge. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: A light bubble show at the bottom of the head as foam seems to run down towards the body. Pours a 5+ finger head of biege-khaki colour. Foamy and a bit frothy. Lacing is sticky and heavy; wow. A bit creamy. Great thickness. Great (10+ minute) retention for the high ABV; that's damned impressive. Body colour is very dark solid brown-black; it's not quite a consistent full jet-black; there's some restraint there. No yeast particles are visible. All around it's pretty impressive.

Sm: Caramel, chocolate malt, dark bittering malts, floral hops, fennel, raisin, light coffee, and light grapefruit citrus. No hop bitterness or bite. It's pretty good for the style. A bit of roast. A subtle aroma of mild strength. I'm excited to try it.

I couldn't wait on the head any longer after five minutes, so I just started drinking through the head - which was still a good 4 fingers in thickness.

T: A marriage of dark bitter malts, light coffee, light roast, and timid caramel with well executed floral hop notes, a touch of grapefruit citrus ester zing, and a bit of biscuity yeast. They don't clash at all. It works surprisingly well. Nicely balanced and built. The coffee in particularly has a delightfully subtle part to play which really helps bring out the roast and hop bitterness; they play off and complement eachother. Its strength is in its subtlety; it isn't amazingly complex but there's plenty going on here. I don't get any alcohol. Any chocolate malt is minimal. One of the better Black IPAs I've had, but Mikkel has done other better ones.

Mf: Soft, chewy, smooth, and wet. Carbonation is perfect. It's light and soothing on the palate, yet presence is still full. It doesn't lack body, but the mouthfeel really aids drinkability. A fine texture that so few brewers seem able to deliver. Complements the flavour profile rather well.

Dr: A success from Mikkel. One of the better beers I've tried in this style. Mikkel's are the only black IPAs I can remember really enjoying. A solid Black IPA that helps remind me why Mikkeller is my favourite 'brewery'. Hides its ABV well. I'd probably get this again, especially when out at a bar. I do wish the price were better as an import, but Danes have no excuse not to try this.

Low B

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 05:49:50 | More by kojevergas

Beer-A-Lot

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Thoroughly enjoyable and easy-drinking beer. From the first appearance to the last drop, this was very satisfying and impressive. I could get used to this style. Although there is some bitterness and hoppiness, it is much less prominent than typical IPAs, with a more prominent dark fruit flavor. Some subtle roasted flavors make it more appealing as well. This also is less expensive than most Mikkeller beers, so that's a good thing too.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 01:21:44 | More by Beer-A-Lot

Arborescence

Finland

3.84/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Batch no. 011112

Appearance: Almost pitch black. Pours a massive thick head with a dark tint -- perfect head.

Aroma: Aromatic hops, reminiscent of strong American IPAs. A little bit of citrus-like sweetness.

Taste: Not an insane hop attack, but the hops bitterness is especially present in the aftertaste, which is sharp. Other than there's some intense grapefruit, but not all that much depth.

Mouthfeel: Moderate carbonation, feels rather prickly, light to medium body.

Overall: Nothing amazing in the end, but perfectly reasonable version of the Black IPA style. A little too sharp though, especially in the aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 16:39:14 | More by Arborescence

fatmusic14

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 2.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25

11 oz bottle poured into a pint glass.

A - very dark, not quite pitch black, great creamy head, super foamy and overflowing. actually pours nicely, but there is stuff floating around in mine (sediment or something) - kinda turned off from that.

S - smells like a chocolate stout, mocha, pine, coffee

T - tastes great, really melds the flavors of an IPA and a stout well. Really robust flavors of coffee, chocolate, tiny hint of sweetness as an aftertaste. ABV well hidden

M - Eh, nothing to write home about.

Probably would not buy another.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 21:33:43 | More by fatmusic14

ngeunit1

California

4.11/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Dark black, touch of brown, finger frothy khaki-tan head. Fades normal.

S - Roasted chocolate and caramel malts, grapefruit, citrus, pine hops, some coffee.

T - Roasted chocolate and caramel malts, grapefruit, citrus, pine hops, bitterness, coffee, bit of black licorice.

M - Medium-plus bodied, moderate carbonation. Smooth with a dry, roasted, bitter finish.

D - Nice black IPA. Good hop profile and balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 04:39:31 | More by ngeunit1

DocJitsu

California

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a horehound hard candy brown with a huge, foamy, washing machine has way too much soap head. Bouquet is grassy and lemon zest. Moutfheel is extraordinarily smooth and soft with a bit of carbonation bite at the finish. The flavor is a hybrid between a porter and a gigantic hop presence throughout. The hop burn makes up for the lack of carbonation. It's a decent beer, for the uniqueness if nothing else. But, it is a pleasant beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 01:49:57 | More by DocJitsu

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.14/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Purchased 11.2 oz bottle at Calandro's in baton Rouge while on business for around $6. Pours a deep brown to black color with a finger of off white creamy head. Seriously intense hop aroma, super hot and sharp. Mixed with some roasted black bitter malts and a slight amount of vanilla. Really crisp black bitter malt, piney sharp hop and a tad of creamy vanilla flavor. Its slightly bitter but smooth and creamy at the same time. There is such a war of the senses going on here...but it all evens out. Thed alcohol is completely hidden. This is another great brew from Mikkeller.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 02:39:26 | More by DrinkSlurm

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

this was an xmas present from my wonderful girlfriend. small bottle poured into a wine glass. as always, mikkeller can do no wrong. its nearly black in color with a gorgeous cream colored head just under an inch tall, and lasting the whole glass. simply stunning appearance. the nose is well hopped, zesty and piney at the same time, just right on christmas day. big roasty malt profile, even spicy mixed in with the bitter. i can pick out some rye malt i think, like the wookey jack from firestone in terms of the malt bill. flavor is really hoppy, much more so than expected, with a few notes of coffee on the back end as well. the remaining yeast provides excellent texture and mouthfeel to this beer, which is full enough bodied and brightly carbonated. i love mikkeller beers, every single one of them, and this one to me was very special. the alcohol was felt but not heard from, and the overall vibe of this beer is outstanding. look forward to my next one of these!

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 03:10:56 | More by StonedTrippin

DoktorZee

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 333ml bottle into an oversized wine glass. No obvious best-before date on the bottle or the cap.

A - deep brown beer with some slightly lighter tones when held up to a light. Very fluffy tan head that leaves thickly caked lacing on the glass.

S - wet grassy and mossy on the nose; smells like a forest! Some hints of soapiness and citrus in the background.

T - bitter on initial attack, but with some hints of dark fruit and perhaps anise. No outward sweet malt anywhere in this beer, but the grassy/earth hops intermingle with some fig and plum to create a very interesting beer. The finish is heavy and rich, and the resinous hops dominate the fruits ever so slightly.

M - surprisingly thick and creamy mouthfeel; heavy bodied with light carbonation (just enough to cut the significant weight of this beer).

Very interesting beer, with some qualities of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale, but heavily hopped (and minus the usual esters). Definitely different than I had expected; versus something like a Sublimely Self Righteous this is less hoppy, but also unique in its dark fruitiness and finish. Very tasty beer and in many ways greater than the sum of its parts.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 21:31:55 | More by DoktorZee

ocelot2500

Arizona

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a deep ebony color with a frothy, off-white head that leaves big chunks of lacing.

Smells of pine, citrus, and some light roasted notes.

Tastes of the light roasted notes combined with the full hop notes. Leads off with clean hop notes that give off notes of citrus, pine, and some herbs. This gives way to a moderate bitterness. The herbal notes give a bit of a medicinal feel, that I find to be a fault. Malts come in with a nice roasted combination of cocoa powder and a bit of burnt coffee. Only lightly sweet, this definitely leans towards bitter.

Mouthfeel is medium-full with a smooth amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is a good black IPA, but for the price, $5.60 a 12oz, I expected near perfection, which would be achieved if the medicinal notes were done away with.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 01:54:19 | More by ocelot2500

crnipeter

Slovenia

3.73/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Apparently opaque black body gets crowned by spectacular beige to light tan creamy head that sets at slow pace leaving hanging patches of lace about the glass.

Sniffing reveals citrusy, spicy and piney hops overlaying the dark malt aroma with
chocolate quality and roastiness. Evident are minty notes resulting from interaction of hops
with dark, roasted malts/grains and faint sulphury undertones can be picked up.

Flavor features resinous hop bitterness, pronounced roasted grain character and dark malts providing tannins for a dry mouthfeel. The roast character lingering through the aftertaste is a bit overpowering.

Body is close to medium with creamy mouthfeel probably given by oats. Doesn't feel
overcarbonated as I feared seeing the thick long-lasting head.

Overall, a black IPA with lots of roast character and no inappropriate cloying sweetness or heavy body resembling a Stout. (330 ml without bottling/BB date indication,into tulip.)

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 17:22:22 | More by crnipeter

jazzyjeff13

United Kingdom (England)

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A 330ml bottle with a BB of June 2016. Picked up recently from Trembling Madness in York. Bizarre name - unsure what this has to do with the beer.

Poured into a Duvel tulip. Bottle conditioned. A dark brown colour that appears pitch black in the glass, with some chunky sediment floating around at the bottom. Produces a massive head of creamy beige foam with superb retention; this slowly reduces to a thick surface layer. Nice lacing as it settles. Aroma of bright fruity hop notes: grapefruit, orange rind, citrus and pine resin. This is underpinned by subtle hints of dark malt and earthy yeast. Fantastic.

Tastes of intense aromatic hops with a dark malt backbone and a dry, bitter finish. Notes of grapefruit, orange peel, citrus, pine, burnt grain, subtle roasted malt, earthy yeast and stewed hops. Well attenuated, with hints of spicy hop oils. A dry bitterness upon swallowing, though it's severity is mitigated by the hop aroma. Mouthfeel is smooth, peppery and tingly, with relatively low carbonation. Nice, creamy body. Rather astringent, with an aftertaste of bitter aromatic hops and a hint of yeast.

Very nice - lots of light, fruity citrus notes and a hint of pine. Delicious. The malt seems highly attenuated and very restrained; there are hints of burnt grain and dark malt but not that much. Still, this allows the hops to shine all the more brightly so it doesn't detract unduly from the experience. The carbonation seems low but the mouthfeel remains pleasing. All said, another quality brew from Mikkeller. Were it not for the price I would happily grab more of this and guzzle it down. Well worth sampling if you have the chance.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 00:48:48 | More by jazzyjeff13

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle. Sort Gul? 'Black Yellow', apparently. Beyond the label, I have no inclination as to what this means.

This beer pours a muddled, very dark chestnut brown hue, with diluted cola basal highlights, and a teeming amount of nearly overflowing tightly puffy, broadly bubbly beige head, which settles at a snail's pace, eventually leaving some nice lock and tumbler mechanism lace around the glass.

It smells of moderately roasted caramel malt, a strong oily nuttiness, subtle powdered baker's chocolate, some faint citrus rind, wet pine needles, and herbal liqueur. The taste is lightly toasted grainy malt, an even nutty caramel sweetness, some nicely bitter chocolate notes, a softly fruity citrus peel astringency, and herbal, piney hops. A gentle warming increases in sync with that of the beer.

The carbonation is on the reserved side, flirting a little too much with being flat, the body a somewhat thin medium weight, and generally quite smooth. It finishes off-dry, the roasted cocoa and bitter hops finally coming head to head, both in their relatively quiet manner.

A decent version of the style, nice and dialed down from some of the anemic or unbalanced offerings we've been seeing lately. That seems to be the calling card here - sure, the roasted malt, hops, and booze are all there, but they go about their work, all nicely integrated, so much so that you just wanna sit back and enjoy what they've done for you. Worthy of further indulgence, I do say.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 02:39:13 | More by biboergosum

avalon07

South Carolina

4.03/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a bottle to a pint glass. Had a dark brown color and a thick texture. Some sediment floating around. There was a huge, creamy, tan-colored, long-lasting head. Good lacing.

S: A nice, subtle aroma of hops, chocolate, and malt.

T: Tasted of hops (a moderate amount), light chocolate notes, malt, and a hint of coffee. A somewhat milder flavor than some of the American versions of this style, but still very tasty.

M: A good amount of carbonation with a dry finish. Medium-bodied.

O: A good, well done, easy to drink beer. Drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 12:07:16 | More by avalon07

MasterSki

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Another bottle shared by Chris (spycow). I had been considering picking this one up but was spared the financial risk that comes with Mikkeller offerings. Served in a Hill Farmstead tulip.

A - Off-white light tan foam settles to a thin cap leaving behind a few specks of lace. Very dark brown body.

S - Piney hops, herbs, a touch of citrus zest, chocolate malts, a bit of sugar cookie. Pretty nice and true to style.

T - The taste starts out quite similar, with a mix of sugar cookie, cocoa, citrus and tropical fruit hops, and a touch of herbal hop bitterness for good measure. Unfortunately there's a touch of astringent and slightly harsh black malt in the finish that I don't really enjoy.

M - Medium body, lightly roasty and dry in texture, with some residual oily hop resins. Medium-low carbonation is appreciated.

D - Not sure how fresh this was, but it was reasonably hoppy and seemed to hold up better than other Mikkeller IPAs from across the pond. Solidly executed and true to style, but there are American offerings I'd rather have at this price point.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 16:49:48 | More by MasterSki

DAllspaw

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +11.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Craft Beer in London, then had the good fortune of having again two weeks later at the hopleaf in Chicago. Both poured into tulip glasses

Pours a very deep black with mocha like head, which frankly had disippated quite a bit by the time it hit th bar. Very good looking beer.

Definitely some roasted malts in the smell, but the presence of pine and citrus from the hops is very forward.

Taste is where this one blows me away. It's not over creamy or thick as some other dark ales, very medium body, but the combination of dark malt flavor and heavy hops really works very well. I'm curious what hop is used, since the lingering aftertaste is as good as any I've ever had.

I don't care what you call it, black ale black IPA etc., but this is one delicious beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2012 16:31:10 | More by DAllspaw

Brad007

Vermont

4.15/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an accurate pitch black with a brown head into my glass. Lacing, etc. Not a stout. Not a porter.

Ok, the aroma kind of reminds me of a hoppy stout. Lots of pine in the nose, even if you have to struggle to find it.

The flavors don't hit one over the head. Instead, you get a mild pine bite followed by the essence of charred malt. More sweet than bitter. Dare I say a mild cocoa bite?

Lingering pine notes and sweet malt make the mouthfeel. It's, dare I say, creamy in a way?

A nice change from the usual over-hopped American Black Ale. A Mikkeller fan can't lose here.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 03:49:07 | More by Brad007

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a duvel glass.

A: pours a dark brown almost black with a mountainous 3finger head that dissapates moderately to slowly and leavs globs of Lacing all over, head fanboy dissapates into a creamy lightly chocolate colored film, nice looking brew.

S: chocolaty roasty coffe like notes, along with a hint of lemony citrus and piney hop notes, a nice nose, smells nicley balance. As the brew warm it starts to smell more like creamy roasty coffe with some nice bitter hop notes, both citrusy and piney.

T: much like the nose, roasty coffe notes and a lemony citrus hop bite.... A bit of pine in there as well, some light chocolate notes too, tasty overall.

M: medium bodied with creamy carbonation and a dry bitter finish, highly drinkable, this one goes down real easy. The only negative here is I feel like the aftertaste builds over the course of drinking the beer, and ingot an citrus peel like bitterness coating in my mouth.

O: a very solid black ipa, not the best I've ever had, but far from the worst, I wouldn't mind drinking a few more of these, I think i will.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 02:01:33 | More by PeterIngemi

bark

Sweden

3.33/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

The colour is almost black (100 EBC), the head is pale brown. Some fine lacing occurs.

The smell got citric hops, fresh French bread and some pumpernickel. The bitterness is somewhat sharp.

The taste is somewhat chemical. Lemon peels makes me think of artificial lemon scent. Some sour black malt flavours. Cream. Liquorice. Some wheat flour notes. The aftertaste got bread flavours, some tart notes, chocolate and a clean medium strong bitterness. Lemon peels in the finish.

The carbonation is strong, the small bubbles are sharp. The liquid is a bit sticky.

This one taste very much “Mikkeller”. And much like other Black IPAs. A style that I still don’t “get”.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2012 10:30:52 | More by bark

GONZALOYANNA

Spain

3.5/5  rDev -11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle. ½ pt Shaker glass. Enjoyed on jul´12 - funny no-planned tasting session in good company at the Freiburg- Very dark brown color headed by tan froth. Lasting & spotty crown. Intense- too much- flowery fragrance, roasted malt , roasted coffee, burnt bread & piney aromas to the nose. Roasted malty upfront followed by sharp resiny hoppiness & bitter cocoa hues. Light to medium, flavorful body. Moderate carbonation. Light oily texture. Hints of coffee in the middle lingers into a dry bitter finish. Bitter cocoa comes back on the aftertaste. ABV well hidden resolves in an easy drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 01:02:47 | More by GONZALOYANNA