Norse Star from Northern Monk Beer Review

Welcome to the Drink in the Sights Norse Star from Northern Monk Beer Review. Coming in at £4 from Morrison's I think this is the most I've ever paid for a beer in a supermarket but I thought why not treat myself? Northern Monk are a relatively new brewery from Leeds, or more precisely Holbeck. I've not really tried any of their beers before but they are popping up online and in supermarkets all over the country so they must be doing something right. Norse Star is a vanilla, cacoa & almond imperial stout. I'm actually relieved I survived this as after drinking it I realised it had almond essence which as I have a nut allergy could have caused me some problems. Fortunately I'm here to tell the tale.

Norse Star from Northern Monk comes in a pretty cool 440ml can featuring the monk and what I assume is the Leeds waterfront. Clocking in at a whopping 9% this really is a beer that could do some damage and I guess this is how they justify the price tag. The beer is described as 'an indulgent imperial stout inspired by Norwegian ingredients,' which kinda leaves me wondering if I've missed the Norwegian craft beer revolution. I guess I'll have to pay the country a visit and find out. 

The beer pours really well with a seriously dark black body and really nice long lasting tan head, it really does look like a seriously good beer, which makes the aroma rather disappointing. Usually 9% beers have a really strong smell but this one just has some nut aromas mixed with some mild chocolate and vanilla, it's really nothing that will blow you away as it's basically just an almond mocha. The Norse Star texture is pretty nice smooth and full bodied though so this really is a beer with ups and downs.

Unfortunately I found the taste a bit bland. A 9% imperial stout should really have much more flavour than this. There's the almond taste, mixed with a bit of chocolate, but neither really stands out as anything special so despite the 9% alcohol I do feel a little like I've over spent I could have got a Brewdog Jet Black Heart Nitro for less money after all and that really is an outstanding beer. I'm going to give Norse Star from Northern Monk brewery 6 out of 10, it just doesn't stand out as anything other than strong sadly.