Day 1: Tindved

Tindved

Origin: Nøgne Ø (Grimstad, Norway)

Style: Sour Ale

ABV: 7%

IBU: Not listed

Description: The beginning of this year’s Craft BeerAdvent Calender is an offering from Norwegian brewery Nøgne Ø. Named Tindved, this beer is a light ale brewed with malted barley and raw wheat, with an added element of something called sea buckthorn fruit juice to create a sour punch. It was produced in limited capacity, so we shouldn’t expect to see it on store shelves consistently.

Once poured, the colour is hazy gold. This is a live ale, bottled with yeast to referment in the bottle. A common practice in the brewing world, some people prefer to carefully pour while leaving a small amount of beer in the bottle so as to keep the yeast aside. Personally, I prefer to pour the entire bottle, which I did.

A sparse, rocky, white head comes to life with some light glass exercise. The nose is yeasty and floral with hints of hay and farmyard musk, although it is not super pungent. I don’t feel incredibly drawn to this brew by the smell, but it certainly isn’t the primary attraction.

Light bodied with a mild malt backbone and a smooth flavour brought about by added wheat, the prevelant characteristic is the sour kick derived from the sea buckthorn juice. I would put this in a different category of sour from the standard sours on the market. It is noticeably not a wild yeast kick, nor a Flemish red character, this sea buckthorn juice provides a different sour profile then I am used to. It’s quite enjoyable. A trailing juicy sweetness lingers afterwards.

Overall this was an enjoyable brew. My suggestions for a similar beer would be a Straffe Hendrik Wild Tripel, but nothing will really have the same profile. As for a food pairing, I think it would be best consumed with a cheese and charcuterie plate, to balance the sour notes with sweet and savoury. ~C.L.