Beer Review: Olfabrikken 100 Gram India Pale Ale

January 31, 2008

Each time I’ve gone into Belmont Station lately, I’ve seen this beer and been tempted by it.  India Pale Ales are my weakness; Imperial IPAs are my kryptonite.  Each trip, I see it, I pick it up…I see the $10.99 price tag…I put it back.

Tonight’s different, though.  I feel like splurging tonight.  So I bit the bullet, paid the $11, and…first sip…hmmmm.  It’s a nice deep amber color, and has a thick, almost porter consistency.  Not as bitter as some American IPAs, but it’s not quite either a American-style IPA or a British-style IPA in its taste.  They have such a distinct taste, it’s very easy to tell them apart.  But this?  It’s…different.  I actually don’t taste the 8.5% alcohol in it, and the flavor either covers it up or it’s just a nice subtlety.

Regardless, I’d buy it again…if it were cheaper.  I understand about the cost of importing specialty beers from countries like Denmark, and it is a tasty beer, but it’s pretty cost prohibitive.  Worth trying once, that’s for sure, but not really a frequent purchase.

Posted in Beers