Odin's Tipple - HaandBryggeriet

11millsown113

New Hampshire

4.68/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

poured dark and thick. it has a strong smell of

A: poured very thick and black with no head. very thick beer, looked awesome.

S: it smelled of roasted barley, chocolate and coffee. there was another scent in there but i couldn't quite identify it. smelled amazing anyway.

T: amazing flavor, the alcohol is still present but not to much. it has a strong dark coffee flavor with chocolate and vanilla. great beer.

M: very smooth

O: awesome beer. loved it an cant wait to get my hands on another one. i was recommend this beer to anyone who loves dark flavorful RIS. very smooth with a lot of flavor.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2011 16:34:26 | More by 11millsown113

doughanson78

Washington

4.47/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

500ml bottle poured into a Chalice. Batch 297.

A: Super black, in glass and on the pour. Almost no head what so ever. What was there was dark brown and had good retention and left alright lacing. Beautiful beer.

S: Nose isn't huge. Roasty and slightly burnt. Coffee and light chocolate. Molasses and anise. Pretty complex.

T: Very complex. Big roasted coffee. Molasses and Anise. Reminds me of the Belgo Anise Stone RIS, but actually good. Dark chocolate. Touches of vanilla. Alcohol is very present but doesn't detract from the taste at all.

M: Medium body. Almost no carbonation, so it seems a touch flat. Pretty smooth and slightly creamy still.

O: An awesome RIS. Dark, roasty, and complex. Can't complain one bit about this one. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2011 19:05:54 | More by doughanson78

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.45/5  rDev -42.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Pours pitch black with a minuscule mocha colored head that immediately disappears leaving no lacing.

Sweet, slightly roasted aroma with lots of dark malt and booze. Hints of chocolate cake, coffee and oatmeal along with slight vinous fruit character. The chocolate-y malt character is nice but the strong alcohol overwhelms it a bit.

Medium bodied with very little carbonation making it almost flat. Extremely sweet with lots of booze, chocolate malt and dark fruit. Subtle peppery spice up front followed by a sweet, slightly roasted malt flavor with hints of chocolate, coffee and toast. Toward the end of the palate there is a vinous dark fruit presence. All of this is overpowered by a really prominent boozy sweetness. Not really hot but cloying sweet and dry.

I've been looking forward to trying this beer for a while but it was a pretty big disappointment. Hardly any carbonation to speak of and overwhelmingly boozy. Not really complex or interesting. I forced myself to drink half of the bottle and dumped the rest.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 08:34:35 | More by corby112

gford217

Georgia

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle.

Pours pitch black with a small bubbly mocha head that doesn't stick around long and leaves a small collar.

Aroma is sweet with molasses and chocolate but has hints of smoke and peat. There is some candi sugar, vanilla and a little bit of licorice.

Taste is definitely sweeter than most impy stouts and almost tastes like honey has been added, or at least molasses. The roasted malts are in the background and don't really make it out past he mixture of sweet ingredients. The finish is boozy with a little tobacco.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with a little less carbonation than I would like. A bit boozy though still sugary sweet on the palate.

This is a great beer and a very different take on the style. It's sweeter than most and has an interesting yeast profile. If the carbonation was a ad stronger it could be a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 04:43:30 | More by gford217

hoptualBrew

Florida

4.47/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

500 ml bottle, batch 297 & brewed on 30.06.10. Picked up on my trip to New Orleans for $9.99 @ Stein's Grocery on Magazine Street. Been sitting on this for about two months.

Pours a dark jet black with an evil looking deep cappaccino tight bubbled head. Lacing is scant, but the legs on this are pretty sweet. Bottom of the snifter plays host to a party of tan yeast clumps. Happy drunkness to me (& you too hopefully).

Hershey's makes a rum infused dark chocolate bar that you are enjoying with a cup of fresh roasted coffee, yeah. With a touch of oak & vanilla, but mostly booze heavy & chocolatey.

Wow, this is a lot smoother than I got from the nose. A sweet, almost fruit-like sweetness hits upfront, which is suprising for me. Roasted coffee notes, dark bittering chocolate, and a heavy hand of booze dominate midway through until the end. Silky smooth & lingering, this is a solid RIS. Very complex & love the fact its unfiltered - still contemplating whether or not to culture the yeast!

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 00:41:48 | More by hoptualBrew

McLaughlin5350

New Hampshire

5/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This beer was very dark. smelled great and tasted even better. i got this beer on a whim and didn't know its back round. i was amazed by it. Oddins tipple is my favorite beer.... so far. I would suggested this beer to anyone new or old beer drinkers.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 23:58:30 | More by McLaughlin5350

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.65/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance. Pours like viscous, dirty motor oil (I know people throw that shit around, but damn...)with not much for a head. What's there is dark brown.

Smell. Big and boozy chocolate, coffee, vanilla. Some deep roasted malts and a hint of molasses.

Taste. Yeah. Big dark chocolate, molasses, toffee and vanilla with just a bit of smokey wood. Not too shabby my Nordic friends!!

Mouthfeel. Full and warming. Very low carbonation which suits this one nicely.

Overall. This beer has turned my crappy day around. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 01:02:33 | More by Rutager

cosmicevan

New York

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

many a thanks goes out to DaftCaskBC!

a - opened the bottle and filled my cbs snifter. poured a rich lush black. a very thin brown head bubbled away as soon as it appeared. brew is dark and ominous with a soft brown lid.

s - lots of booze. roasted malts. some cherries. has a mentholated thing going on from the alc. smells pretty serious.

t - oh wow. really comes alive in taste. big bold chocolate and roasted malts. booze is better hidden behind the indulgent chocolate.

m - body is huge and full. rich but drinkable. leaves a tingle in my mouth and feels like i'm drinking whiskey.

o - overall, ya know those little chocolates that have booze in them. BAM...this is a whiskey one. rather enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 04:19:18 | More by cosmicevan

ludachris

Ontario (Canada)

4.53/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Thick, viscous, and as black as can be. A fine, bubbly ring of mocha brown head is all that's yeilded after a steady pour, speaking to its high ABV.

You can tell this is big as soon as you pop the cap with the smell of alcohol and dark fruits filling the air before your nose gets anywhere close. Wow, this is really big. Deep and heavy roasted malts, coffee beans, syrupy and viscous dark chocolate. Black licorice undertones and acetone make the big but unoffensive alcohol character in the nose. Mulled dates and alcohol soaked dark raisons add a fruity sweetness. A good dose of molasses is in there as well and even a touch of smoke. The complexity on the nose is amazing, covering a myriad of RIS characteristics without being overpowering and all over the place.

The sweetness is much more lively and fruity than I had expected and this seems to be amplified by the alcohol. Molasses laced raisons, plums, dates, and figs scour across the palate over a smooth and soft chocolate plateau. The roastiness comes more in the finish but it's not in your face and doesn't dominate over any of the sweet characteristics of the beer. Instead it plays off of them, giving it a fantastic balance. Alcohol comes in a more medicinal form, grazing the back of the palate before quickly washing away. It comes in the feel going down. There's a light smokiness to it as well that's paired with a maple sweetness, giving it a pleasant sweet woody touch.

The sticky and viscous feel doesn't stop this from going down smoothly. It's rich, it's creamy, it's big, and its perfectly balanced.

The RIS's I've had prior to this with the same magnitude punch you in the face with alcohol and roasty bitterness; this does neither. Despite how big it is, the chocolatey and smokey characters come off as soft and smooth. Its complexity increases as it warms and I really appreciate that. HaandBryggeriet is my favorite Norwegian brewery and this offering tops all others I've had from them to date. For me, this is a must grab, being a testament to how great an RIS can be.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 01:35:19 | More by ludachris

dgilks

Australia

4.08/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pitch, oily, light sucking black with a big, short lasted, creamy, chocolate brown head.

Amazingly fruity with a big alcohol hit as well. There's also some chocolate in here and some roast but the alcohol and fruit is intense.

Sweet malt with an oddly smooth, roasty edge. Some bitter chocolate. Complex alcohol and some fruity esters add an amazing amount of depth. A big, sweet, somewhat roasty RIS.

Full body with moderate carbonation. Surprisingly oily.

Delicious malt with some excellent ancillary character. I find this a bit boozy but see a wonderful underlying beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 09:16:19 | More by dgilks

chicano4craft

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 297
Brewed 30.06.10

Poured into snifter. Might be the blackest beer I've ever seen. Strong pour results in a fingers worth of dark brown head. Becomes a creamy crown for the rest of the session. It's a looker.

I got smacked in the face with the aroma. Really complex...alcohol is definitely present with charred wood and sweet dark fruit. Also pick up a hint of mollases.

Taste has alot going on.Dark cherry, chocolate, maple syrup, charred wood. All this is backed by a slow alcohol burn. A slow sipper that opens up further as it warms.

Mouthfeel is heavy. Some may say to much so, but I enjoy it. Still goes down pretty smooth.

Overall...I really like this beer. So complex and warm. It is a little hot but doesn't distract. It's a big boy RIS for sure. My first offering from Haandbryggeriet was a home run. Look forward to trying more.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 23:25:57 | More by chicano4craft

zeff80

Missouri

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Poured out an opaque, viscous, black color with a one-finger, brown head of sudsy foam. It left streaky sheets of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of chocolate, molasses and boozy notes.

T - It tasted of bitter chocolate, burnt molasses, toffee and strong boozy flavors.

M - It was crisp, sharp and very smooth. A medium to full bodied ale with a nice alcohol warmth.

O - This is a really outstanding Russian Imperial Stout. Glad I picked it up after a recommendation.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 20:12:06 | More by zeff80

iD9

California

4.05/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a stemmed pint glass.

Appearance: Pours a pitch black with tall, thick, tan head. Quickly dissipates leaving a pleasing tan ring on edge of glass. The body is totally black.

Smell: Dominate notes of roasty malts, creamy milk chocolates and a definite touch of alcohol.

Taste: Sweet throughout the body. Much like the smell, this brew tastes like chocolate and roasted malt. Definitely sweet; almost vanilla notes (like bourbon aging?) - probably just my imagination. Slight booziness, though it is masked very well. Despite the simplistic description, this brew hints of complex flavors and serious depth; tasty.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full bodied. The creaminess of this "dark norse ale" does credit to balance the viscous, almost syrupy tendencies and helps stave off some pallet fatigue rounding out the brew nicely.

Overall: An exceptional beer, even out of the bottle. Would love to try this on tap if at all possible. The contrast of warm booze, sweet-creamy chocolate and dark, roasty malts creates an impressively complex drink - skal!

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2011 02:24:09 | More by iD9

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -16%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A - Pours pitch black, almost syropy, with a fine layer of head which dissipates almost immediately with no lacing.

S - Chocolate, espresso, vanilla and a hint of earthiness alongside some detectable ABV.

T - This one is intense with the chocolate and coffe coming through on the top and a hint of vanilla on the finish. Very rich and chocolaty with the ABV reasonably well hidden.

M - This one needs a carbonation lift, IMO. It was a tad too thick and a bit more carbonation would've made it much more enjoyable.

O - A tasty Russian Imperial Stout and certainly glad I was able to try it, but I'm not hugely impressed. It's a bold beer and not for the faint of heart, but I've certainly enjoyed other RIS's more than this one in particular.

Edit: I'm inclined to think this one lost some carbonation in its travels, especially given the other ratings on this site; but it is what it is.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2011 23:41:28 | More by andrenaline

Casey10

Maine

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a must have beer been looking for it for awhile and spotted it while at Redstone Liquiors while I spent some time in Mass. I was really happy to try this as was looking for it for some time.

A - Dark no lacing but no light is shining through.

S - Nice black liquiorice smell some chocolate.

T - nice smooth taste really a nice coffee taste.

M - wow really hot but a must have.

O - really if you can find it a must have really good. It is strong and coffee like well worth trying though.

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2011 03:07:32 | More by Casey10

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 297 30.06.10 (6/30/10 perhaps?)

I curse you Jimmy J. I curse you for being such a good guy and BA member. Most of all, I curse you for finding this great beer before me. Draught2012, brought this beer over for a tasting a few months ago and while I had heard of the brewer, the beer itself was unknown to me. 25% into the glass I was already cursing Jimmy. How dare he find this gem before me?…… I kid, I kid. Thanks much Jimmy. What a great beer. So glad to sit and actually post a review based on the additional bottle you brought for me.

Not much of a head on the beer, just a light bronze foam that stays for a while and retreats to a thin film across the top of the liquid. Black, Black, and more black. No light, no how. No lace either.

Black Licorice, Brown sugar. Back and forth, back and forth. I thought of Black Sambuca for a moment.

Wow, this is just a wonderful beer. It starts of as really nice and gets better as it opens up. There is simplicity to its complexity. But it works. A spicy brown sugar that is soon revealed as black licorice or anise. A slight note of cocoa in the background and almost a warmth from a certain type of pepper.. Perhaps Ancho chile. Not spicy, but a warming heat. On the other hand, almost a cooling menthol affect in the aftertaste. As it warms more dark fruit comes out and reveals itself.

The body is a touch light for my personal preference, but the flavor makes up for it. A touch slick. The carbonation is a slight as possible while still being called carbonation.

This is a beer that continues to evolve as you work your way through the glass. I love this complexity more than most single flavor components. I say that it’s a beer you can play in while you work through the glass.

I curse you Jimmy J! ;-) You need to try this beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2011 21:36:21 | More by Reagan1984

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to kjyost for this bottle. Batch 329, brewed 3.12.10.

A - Insanely black. One finger of dark brown head fades to a film fast with a ring around it. When swirled it sticks hard to the glass. Very Imperial. No lace and barely any retention. The thick and syrupy appearance of this brings this up...normally I wouldn't think much of a beer with no lacing or retention but the darkness of this and thickness of it is cool.

S - Hugely chocolatey. Lot's of wood, some slight coffee, molasses and brown sugar with dark fruits. Extremely inviting.

T - Very chocolatey again with a mild booze note. Dark sugars, molasses, and strong roasted malts. A mix of chocolate and dark roasted malts blending with all the other complex flavours makes this a great Imperial Stout.

M - Very mild carbonation which is nice with a full body and a dark chocolate/coffee bitterness.

O/D - Extremely good. A greatly complex and drinkable Imperial Stout. Not much to say other than the chocolate, coffee, molasses (which I've never tasted stronger), and roasted notes. Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2011 03:49:25 | More by tbeckett

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep dark black with cap of dense, dark brown head, good lacing. Scent is a potent mix of roasted malt, dark chocolate, dark fruit, notes of char, molasses, chicory, earth, oak, vanilla... fantastically complex. Taste brings the components of scent together in a fantastically flavored brew... roast and char before bitter dark chocolate, dark fruit and faint roasted coffee take over, backbone is earthy, oaky, lightly funkdified (ahh wild yeast) with splashes of bark spice and vanilla. Full bodies, smooth and alcohol hidden well. A great surprise on draft and well worth its slightly hefty price tag.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 15:51:26 | More by rfgetz

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

Very nice! Served in a snifter, this beer poured pitch black with a creamy cap of the darkest mocha head I think I've ever seen on a beer. Aroma of rich chocolate, molasses, and dark roasted malts. Taste of luscious, smooth chocolate, with an obvious boozy quality, dark malts, licorice, maple and caramel, and hints of light spice. An implied earthiness, but otherwise no hops to speak of. Smooth and full-bodied, heavy on the alcohol, but extremely quaffable nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 10:55:38 | More by Rifugium

Arenbeer

Connecticut

4.68/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

.5l bottle into a Duvel Snifter Big thanks to finewinemike for this great brew!!!

Batch 277 Brewed 27.03.10

A- Pours thick and viscous like motor oil with a one finger dark chocolate milk/chocolate ice cream color head that doesn't leave much lacing but some really sexy alcohol feet on the side of the glass. Such an amazing looking beer.

S- Ton's of chocolate, burnt espresso, roasted malts, fresh leather, strange spice i can't put my hand on, and a strong alcohol note in the background.

T- A nice combo or creamy bittersweet dark chocolate and roasted caramel toffee malts hit the tongue first and quickly bring out nice oak and vanilla flavors with slight hints of dark fruits. As it goes down the throat the alcohol greets you giving the body a nice fullness and flavor but the after taste is what shines in my opinion. Tons of espresso and coffee flavors explode and are very bitter in flavor but provides a really nice finish to the beer and overall flavor.

M- Full bodied with moderate carbonation and a nice bitter finish.

Overall when I took this bottle out of the fridge I was ready for an average run of the mill tripple. But damn when I cracked this bad boy I knew the second this beer was pouring out it was going to be a winner. Probably honestly the most beautiful looking beer I've ever seen and the taste is short of one of the best I've had. This beer is a must try!!!

SkÅL!

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 03:38:39 | More by Arenbeer

Jules11788

California

4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark black espresso color; very small head, med-light lacing

S: Smoked wood, cocoa nibs, coffee beans

T: Strong smoky wood, roasted bitter espresso, slight tart finish. Superbly well-balanced and delicious flavors, with a very slight hint of booze

M: Medium-thick, very smooth, barely any alcohol sharpness at all.

O: Very delicious, one of the best RISs that I've ever had

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2011 21:41:04 | More by Jules11788

eric5bellies

Australia

4.43/5  rDev +4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Drank from my Duvel Tulip

A - Pours the classic deep ebony colour with atanned head that retains well

S - Nice dark chocolate and hazelnut aromas from the bottle. Once poured becomes more boozy with a little expresso.

T - Up front some nice vanilla flavours, before some nice old coffee flavours kick in with some dark chocolate. The flavour is delicate and well balanced. A little roasted hazelnut on the finish and no sign of the 11%.

M - Full body with low carbonation that makes for a very smooth drop.

O - Loved this beer. And will definitely have more. The balance in this brew is very impressive. A little sweet, a little roast, a little booze, little choc, coffee etc etc. Not at all hot and well worth the money.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2011 14:55:14 | More by eric5bellies

brystmar

New York

4.1/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Bottled on 2009-01-20.

Pitch black, minimal brown head. Traces of beady lace litter the glass. Nose opens up with bourbon-y booze and burnt / charred malts. Deep notes of chocolate and coffee flow forth as the aromas develop.

Roasted malts and chocolate lead the way; booze, coffee, burnt malts, dark fruits, and charcoal aren't far behind. Everything blends nicely in OT's thick, chewy, oily body. Minimal carbonation here, and it works nicely.

Split this beer 3 ways but find myself wanting more. A well-made RIS is always difficult to turn down.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2011 02:48:49 | More by brystmar

DaveHS

California

3.95/5  rDev -7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A-Pours viscous, impenetrable black with a dense, tight coffee colored head. Fizzes down over a minute or so, leaving behind bits and pieces of sticky lace.

S-Roasted barley, baking chocolate, coffee, caramel.

T/M-Soft mouth feel, with low carbonation and a slightly boozy, roasty finish. Seemed somewhat harsh on the first few sips but seems to be mellowing. The flavor profile is in line with what I like about the imperial stout style (roasty/chocolaty/coffee flavors) but it's just too thin in the body. Doesn't kill the beer, but I'm very aware of it the more I drink this.

O-Probably the best stout I've had from Haandbryggeriet.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2011 02:24:33 | More by DaveHS

womencantsail

California

3.8/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks for sharing this, Greg!

A: The beer pours black in color with a sizable tan head.

S: Rich notes of chocolate and roast with what seems to be oak. There's a fair amount of smoke to it as well as a light spice, seems like pepper. Molasses and just a hint of vanilla add some sweetness.

T: The flavor is much heavier on the smoke. A lot of roasted malt and dark chocolate with some hints of dark fruit and licorice. Espresso/coffee notes with a bit of earthiness to it.

M: Rather full bodied with a medium carbonation.

O: A bit smokey for me on the palate, but quite good otherwise.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 04:20:09 | More by womencantsail