Sweet Horizon - Nøgne Ø - Det Kompromissløse Bryggeri A/S

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +27.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sweet Horizon is something very interesting. After enjoying the Dark Horizon 2nd edition a while ago, I heard that my local shop got the 3rd Edition, the Sweet and the Red all on the same day. I stopped in a grabber one of each and put them all in the fridge. I chose the Sweet Horizon first because it sounded better to me than the Red. I opened the tiny bottle and poured it out. This stuff was very black in color with a very thin brown head. No lacing on the glass besides some of the brown tinge from the thick black goop in the glass. The smell was very stunning, it was very strong with coffee, molasses, vanilla, brown sugar and some smoked wood aromas. Probably even more but how much can one nose take? The taste was so sweet like a dessert, infact that's all this beer is. Savor the flavors with each sip, it's worth letting this one coat the mouth and just ride it out. The mouthfeel I thought was pretty good for this beer. It's sticky and semi-thick, like syrup. Overall I loved this beer, I found it to be very enjoyable. I see a lot of people don't agree which is fine, to each his/her own. If you do get this, drink it alone. Not with a meal or with a dessert, just have it as your dessert or night cap and I think you'll be pretty pleased.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 17:33:29 | More by Knapp85

Doppelbockulus

Florida

3.66/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Dark brown with little clarity and no head.

Take a cup of coffee and drown it with whipped cream, some caramel, and a dash of cherry juice. That's how this smells.

Definitely a stout, slathered in syrup, chocolate, and coffee. I think of this like a chocolate coffee covered cherry that has been soaking in a dense syrup. Desert? Yes.

Slightly viscous, only slightly, and very smooth.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 02:53:47 | More by Doppelbockulus

TKEbeerman

Florida

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

06-08-2013 02:29:36 | More by TKEbeerman

MCImes

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +30.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Black, relatively low carb, pours thick. sticks to the side of the glass

S- Dark malt, coffee, chochlate, slight hint of booze

T- I normally do not like sweet beers, but this one was done just right IMO. To everyone who says its 'too sweet'; This is a sweet beer! its in the name! what were you expecting? Anyways, Ive had this twice and have enjoyed it greatly each time. Its a really thick, syrupy, stout. The coffee helps make it almost mocha-y. A little booze comes through, but surprisingly little for being 14%.

M- Thick, sweet, syrupy

O- This is a weird beer. Think of a desert wine thats black and tastes like coffee. Thats what this is. I happen to like it a lot. I dislike most overly sweet beer, but this was done just right. If you're expecting something other than a sweet coffee imperial stout, look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 17:33:47 | More by MCImes

tbryan5

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%

03-31-2013 01:48:38 | More by tbryan5

Thorpe429

Illinois

2.93/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Bottle courtesy of ygtbsm94. Served in a sampler glass. Pours near black with a short head that recedes quickly into a thin collar. Nose carries nice chocolate and coffee notes. Some booze. Flavor is a bit too sweet and boozy. Chocolate notes in the background. Quite a bit of sweetness. Medium-full body. Interesting and worth a try, though not something that I’d seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 18:55:38 | More by Thorpe429

MasterSki

Illinois

3.73/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle given to me by my wife - thanks Bryna! Served in a Bourbon County snifter.

A - Pours like motor oil, with a late-forming sheen of bubbles that almost as quickly dissipates to thin, incomplete ring of bubbles. The body is actually a dark brown color, rather than the black I was expecting.

S - Massive amounts of milk chocolate, fudge, caramel, maple, hint of coffee of anise, some booze that could be described as nostril-tingling but isn't overly harsh. It's definitely a bit cloying, and it's not an aroma that I to which I find myself wanting to return.

T - Tastes like a melted chocolate bar; verging on Hershey's syrup here. There's a bit of coffee and biscuit too, so I guess one of my favorite Canadian chocolate bars, Coffee Crisp, may be a more apt description. There's a mildly fruity note that's characteristic of Scandinavian stouts. I like the flavor significantly more than the aroma, as it's less cloying and the alcohol is better-hidden by the copious amounts of chocolate, caramel, maple and vanilla. Arbitrator says Vanilla Coke, which is probably why I enjoyed this as much as I did.

M - Slick and oily full body, with minimal carbonation. Some definite warming alcohol, but nothing excessively harsh for the listed ABV. Finish is surprisingly crisp considering the sugar content and heft; there's a bit of lingering stickiness after a few ounces but less than I expected.

D - It's probably going to take me a couple hours to work through 8.5oz, but I thought this beer tasted pretty good; guess I just have a sweet tooth. The serving size is very much appropriate for the flavor profile and ABV but in retrospect I should have shared this with a friend or two. This beer really pushes the envelope and teeters on the edge of cloying, with the aroma tumbling over the precipice. This is already two and half years old, and I imagine it will age gracefully for years to come - thinking another year or two might reward the patient drinker.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 08:34:19 | More by MasterSki

t0rin0

California

2.5/5  rDev -29.8%

11-28-2012 05:42:14 | More by t0rin0

csustar001

Ohio

5/5  rDev +40.4%

10-16-2012 09:55:57 | More by csustar001

deltatauhobbit

Maine

3.2/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

8.5oz bottle

Pours a dark brown/black color with minimal head, what head there is disappears quickly, no lacing on the glass

Smell has a huge roasted malt and molasses aroma, coffee has faded along with any bittering aromas, what is left behind is a very sugary sweet nose and an indication of what is to come (along with the namesake), nothing too complex though and nothing like the regular Dark Horizon's have been like.

Taste is as anticipated, a sugary sweet malt blast hits right away, if there is a sugary cloying beer award this would win, the aftertaste does lend a couple subtle complexities, such as a slight hint of coffee, that would otherwise be more noticeable on any other beer, the strength is well hidden (distracted by, is more appropriate) behind the massive sweetness, the alcohol does play it's part and it isn't a lovely characteristic.

I feel like this one is trying too hard. The first Dark Horizon was ace (expect for the price), the rest have seemingly gone down hill and the offshoots are the worst of the perpetrators.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 21:16:09 | More by deltatauhobbit

drabmuh

Maryland

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Thanks Brad, this is about as sweet as a beer can be and still get away with it. It is like syrup (in a good way) and hides the dangerously high level of ethanol present in this beer. Served in a snifter.

Beer is black and thick with no head, no lacing, no carbonation to speak of.

Aroma is sugar, brown sugar, caramel, sweet.

Beer is thick, really thick, strong, a mild sense of alcohol but overall pretty well hidden, and odd beer, super sweet without being cloying, although it takes you right up to that edge.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 13:25:12 | More by drabmuh

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks a lot, Brad!

The beer is dark brown and viscous with just a slight, wispy, dark beige head. The head offers little retention and no lacing.

The aroma offers malt, roast, and sweet booze.

Though the beer is indeed sweet, it is very well done. Syrupy and viscous with low carbonation. This drinks like a sweet imperial stout. Very interesting. The reviews are all over the place on this one, but I rather enjoyed it. A small serving is ample, but I would certainly have this again.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2012 21:19:48 | More by Huhzubendah

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

05-26-2012 01:15:16 | More by ygtbsm94

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.43/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Sweet Horizon in a Mad Elf snifter. 8.5oz bottle.

Pours an almost-black dark mahogany with no head. Just a few bubbles from the vigorous pour. 3.0

Mega alcoholic nose with dominant mocha. Similar to Dark Horizon 3rd, but sweeter. Black licorice, dark chocolate, and nectarine sweetness. 4.0

Super-sweet with some over-sweetened chocolate, vanilla, Fig Newton, and straight booze. Messy. Table sugar is a flavor worth mentioning. Sweetest beer I've ever had. 3.5

Thick body and hardly any carb. Gummi sweet, sticky in the 'stache, for those who have that problem. 2.0

Uber-sweet and hot as fuck. A missed-mark. Ridiculous and overwhelming. Shouldn't have saved this as the last beer in the Horizon tasting. A tough 5th beer of the day at 4pm. 3.5

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 20:33:23 | More by thecheapies

brystmar

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Tiny bottle shared with my gf. Dark brown pour, no head or lace. Nose is mostly booze, supported by some roastyness and more booze. Did I mention it smells alcoholic?

Very sweet, almost sugary. Overwhelms the stout base. Some weird complexity shows up alongside the alcohol. Not sure what everything is here, but it feels out of place. Tons of biting booze after swallowing. Body is smooth and oily; by far the best part of this brew.

Now that I've had all 3 of the ____ Horizon beers, I can safely say none of them are worth your time or money. Dark Horizon is the best of the bunch, still not worth what it costs though.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 02:23:06 | More by brystmar

CharlieMurphy

New York

1.8/5  rDev -49.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1

overpriced 8.5oz bottle into chalice

A: Lacking carbonation, not head, but pouring like soda - thin but solid. Black with significant light penetration

S: WTF? literally smelling like brandy and grape soda, with booze. Otherwise not very aromatic.

T: Ok, this definitely isn't in the realm of "beer" by normal terms and I think I see that was the brewery's objective.

Very Sweet first and foremost, still some brandy liqueur like qualities, and malt soda almost like rootbeer beat to death with alcohol.

M: Flat. Sweet. Boozy.

O: FML for opening this to take 100% to my dome. I don't even think this would split well enough for 2. Save this for your 3-ways and gangbangs. Or better yet, save it for not ever buying at all

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 04:56:03 | More by CharlieMurphy

Devi0us

California

3.5/5  rDev -1.7%

04-21-2012 09:23:40 | More by Devi0us

jjayjaye

New York

4.43/5  rDev +24.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours with a light viscosity...like a cola, but without visible signs of effervescence. Dark with translucent edges and a scant mocha colored ring of tiny bubbles. Tons of boozy vanilla in the first sniff followed by deep chocolate cherry...nicely complex. First tiny sip coats much more than the pour would suggest. The mouth feel lingers nicely and the high ABV packs a bit of heat. The chocolate cherry flavors mirror the nose. A really nice sipper.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 01:41:29 | More by jjayjaye

yamar68

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +25%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from 8.5oz bottle to brandy snifter:

Pours a near pitch black with an edge of dark coffee and a thin mocha ring and just a few specks floating about. The nose is massive. Huge coffee beans and booze supported by some dark fruit and soft chocolate. Then the taste... BAM! Jesus this beer is masterfully balanced. Big buttery chocolate with sweet, sweet caramel coffee. The ABV is just right, not too hot by any means. I normally get turned off by especially sweet beers but this works really nicely. I can't discuss the taste without tipping my hat to a perfect velvety mouthfeel that only leaves sweet hot coffee to cling.

Overall, this beer is such an awesome surprise after being so disappointed by his older brother of the sake yeast variety. Highly recommended to any stout drinker.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2012 01:43:38 | More by yamar68

SPRichard

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -15.7%

02-15-2012 21:28:33 | More by SPRichard

PatrickSwayze

California

1.8/5  rDev -49.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Sweet Horizon

A: Jet black that looks like freaking oil sludge. No head just straight darkness

S: All i get on the nose is straight booze and coffee with little to no chocolate

T: I don't know where to start, oh wait yeah i do. This thing is absolutely the sweetest beer i have ever put on my mouth. Horribly sweet that it actually takes away from the actual slight chocolate and coffee that is hidden in the background. 

M: Ummm sweet sweet and um more sweet. Seriously thats all this beer is. Ridiculous how sweet this thing is.

O: I had high expectations for this beer but then i drank it. Just stupidly sweet ruining flavors that constantly try to express themselves. I guess it isnt called Sweet Horizon for nothing.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 05:39:54 | More by PatrickSwayze

pokesbeerdude

Colorado

3.15/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Received this in a trade, can't remember who from. 8oz bottle into a Delirium Tremens snifter.

A: Pours pitch black, and an aggressive pour yields a few tan bubbles and not much else. A small island of bubbles remains in the middle. Completely opaque.

S: Booze, and that is really all that appears at first. A bit of stale coffee and some chocolate in here as well. Smells sweet and boozy.

T: Disturbingly sweet, really no other way too put it, sugary sweet. Underneath the cane sugar onslaught there is a bit of a chocolate flavor and way in the back is a decent coffee flavor. I can just about feel my teeth rotting out of my head. No bitterness, just a slightly astringent boozy bite. Needs a little more of something to round this out. I understand a sweet beer, but it has too have a bit more coffee or roasted barley to even things out.

M: Mild carbonation, and a little bit thinner than I had expected. Finish is slightly warm. Incredibly sticky on the lips.

O: An intensely sweet beer, liquid diabetes, and easily the sweetest beer I've had since I popped open an 09 Dark Lord. I think this could be a really good beer if the coffee flavor was more pronounced. Bitter coffee could round and even things out a lot. Still glad to try it. Fitting for Valentines day, thankfully I haven't had any other sweets today!

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2012 02:19:33 | More by pokesbeerdude

kayrex

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -15.7%

02-10-2012 22:36:51 | More by kayrex

djaeon

California

1/5  rDev -71.9%

01-22-2012 22:46:10 | More by djaeon

N8DAGR8

Maine

4/5  rDev +12.4%

01-09-2012 14:20:34 | More by N8DAGR8