An English bitter to go out of the house for and two Swedish full hits, one sour and one sweet, impress particularly big in Friday’s successful temporary release at Systembolaget.
Bateman’s Bitter XXXB
Bitter, Great Britain, 4.8%, SEK 33.90, 500 ml, no. 13142
Systembolaget has been launching quite a lot of British bitters recently and this beer belongs to the absolute top of them in terms of quality. Batemans Bitter has been brewed since 1978 and is undeniably a classic and multiple award winner in the UK. It has the archetypal British austerity that comes into its own when the beer is served hard hit and at 12-15 degrees. The flavor profile is a cacophony of caramel, nuts, crackling and dried fruit, and is further lifted by an herbal and floral hop. It doesn’t get much more British than this.
Soirli Drink
Sour beer, Sweden, 6.2%, SEK 89, 375 ml, no. 10517
Gotland’s Snausarve is one of the country’s most inspiring and much-needed breweries. They have a philosophy of trying to use locally grown ingredients and they have a particular passion for brewing wild Belgian ales. They can simply be said to be Sweden’s answer to the Texas Jester King. Söirli Drank contains raspberry liquor which is leftover from Boge bränneri’s raspberry spirit and the wild yeast comes from Gotland grapes. The result is a dry, tart beer with elegant brett notes and a layer of fine-tuned fruitiness. Unique and very good.
The fine Barley Wine Bordeaux
Barley Wine, Sweden, 9.1%, SEK 47:40, 250 ml, no. 10435
Sweden’s most iconic barley wine is regularly released in different barrel aged versions. This batch has matured in bordeaux casks, resulting in a slightly weaker and lighter beer compared to previous cask-aged varieties. It’s nothing negative. The base beer’s rich malt character and soft fruit tones are well preserved and are complemented by hints of sweetness, raisins, wood, vinous nuances and sherry. Incredibly elegant and harmonious.
Schlafly Dry-Hopped APA
Pale ale, USA, 6%, SEK 30:40, 355 ml, no. 13104
With 1991 as the starting year, Schlafly is considered one of the pioneers in American craft beer. Their dry-hopped APA has been made with substantial doses of cascade and chinook. The aroma is characterized by clear notes of grapefruit, citrus and pine needles. The taste offers fruitiness, caramel, light marmalade tones, grapefruit peel and a prominent bitterness. An example of an extremely well-made flagship product that the brewery has honed to near perfection over many years.
Stigberget’s Bill
Double IPA, Sweden, 8.2%, SEK 52:90, 440 ml, no. 11200
A double IPA from Stigberget brewed together hyped Beak Brewery from East Sussex in England. The beer is based on citra, which is used in several stages of the process, but in the dry hopping, the beer has also received a dose of riwaka and wai-iti hops. It is soft, puffy wheat with a real fruitiness of citrus, apricot, tangerine and strawberry. Fresh and well made.
The fermenters Berry Lemonade
Sour fruit beer, Sweden, 5.6%, SEK 38.90, 440 ml, no. 93665
In Sweden, there are few breweries that can measure up to Fermenterarna when it comes to strongly fruity kettlesours. Their Berry Lemonade has a base sweetness and vanilla that meets blackcurrant and lime that together create a refreshing tartness that creates associations with licorice. Hedonistic.
Badger Ale’s Fursty Ferret Bitter
Bitter, Great Britain, 4.4%, SEK 33.90, 500 ml, no. 13143
Another well-made bitter that has a nice caramel aroma and crunchy maillard notes that together with nuts and chocolate give a feeling of lightly roasted coffee. Light in the body and with high sledding ability.
Not Tried:
• Basqueland Brewing Matryoshka
Imperial Stout, Spain, 12%, SEK 59.90, 440 ml, no. 10413
• Wilde Leeuw Saison Brett Rhubarb
Sour beer, France, 6%, SEK 159, 750 ml, no. 10458
