I’ve had this beer kicking around for ages and kept meaning to try it, but with a Imperial Stout I feel like you need to resign yourself to having nothing else on the rest of the day! Norse Star II is the second version of a collaborative brew (which I have tried) between British craft brewing stalwarts Northern Monk and Norway’s Lervig. From what I can tell the only real difference is that nut, used as an addition to this vanilla and cacao concoction, has swapped from almonds to (the cheaper) hazelnut. It holds the same ABV as it’s predecessor at 9%.

Visually the beer has a jet black pour with a proper tan head. The nose is full on chocolate and nuts creating an insanely inviting aroma. The flavour is surprisingly hitting all the adjuncts. The cacao is, of course clear as day, but surprisingly so is the vanilla. The body is thick and silky and has a nice boozy kick at the end! Overall, it reminds me of those nutty chocolate bars that you get in Lidl. The good kind!

A quick note on the can art: Essentially the same as the original but with a heavier chocolate brown hue to it. Plus, it is a Northern Monk can, they are always good.

The big question is: does it taste better than the original Norse Star. It’s been far too long since I had the first rendition but I do remember be in love with how much it tastes like Amaretto. I think the choice to go hazelnut is almost certainly a cost consideration, particularly when you can get a can of this for just £3.50 in Morrisons. However, it’s still a cracking beer and the hazelnut gives it a more Nutella like dynamic the original doesn’t have. Interestingly enough, it’s taken me so long to try this that a Norse Star III has come out expect this time they’ve gone rogue and made a Black Forest Stout rather than just swap the type of nut!

Score: 8.5/10

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Additional Information:

• Hops: Not Available
• Malt: Not Available
• IBU: Not Available
• ABV: 9.0%
• Gluten Free: No
• Vegan: No
• Purchase Price: £3.50
• Purchase Location: Morrisons