Innis and Gunn - Rum Cask Oak Aged Beer

 Origin  Scotland - Edinburgh
Imbibed  Stockholm, Sweden
 Vendor  Systembolaget
  Oomph  Rugged (7.4%)
Mystery  No idea what to expect, but I'm a fan of rum.
Opinion  * * * * * [based on creativity of flavor]
          * * * * - [reviewed against all beers]
Comment  Initial reaction: double-eyebrow raise, paired with a "Holy sh—!" and giggling. Damned if it doesn't taste like rum beer. (Can't blame me for assuming that it would taste like any old beer just stuck in a barrel for show.) It smells faintly like oak, but then you take a sip and the only thing going through your brain is "RUM" in Times Square signage. Not gonna lie: This would be delish with some snickerdoodles or Samoas or food with a warm, spiced flavor. Or as a chaser for some nice sippin' rum. I'd be cool with that, too. Fantastic.

Kopparbergs Brewery - X-Strong Premium Cider - Pear

 Origin  Sweden
Imbibed  Stockholm, Sweden
 Vendor  Systembolaget - Stockholm, Sweden
  Oomph  Sweet Jeebus (7.0%)
Mystery  None; have had this on a few occasions, both in bottles and cans.
Opinion  * * * * *
Comment  Forget that overly sweet swill they pass off as cider in the U.S.  When the East Pond says "cider," they mean "tasty beverage with complex flavors."  This one delivers on that.  It's perfectly carbonated:  no burn, with just enough fizz to draw out a slightly tart pear flavor at the finish.  (Think sparkling pear wine.)  And let's not tapdance around it:  If you're going to drink something that could even possibly be construed as a fruity girly drink, you best be sipping on one with a "Danger: May put hair on your chest" percentage.

Kopparbergs Brewery - Swedish Elk Brew

 Origin  Sweden
Imbibed  Stockholm, Sweden
 Vendor  Systembolaget
  Oomph  Feisty (7.5%)
Mystery  Total, but there was no way I was passing up Impending Elk Danger.
Opinion  * * * - -
Comment  Pleasantly average.  Rich lager flavor without too much carbonation; slightly fruity hints.  A must-buy if only for the label.  (Although, "Moose Juice" > "Elk Brew"?  I think so.)

Shepherd Neame - Bishops Finger Kentish Strong Ale

 
 Origin  United Kingdom - England - Kent
Imbibed  Stockholm, Sweden
 Vendor  Systembolaget
  Oomph  Moderate (5.4%)
Mystery  Total; was lured in by the really awkward name.
Opinion  * * * - -
Comment  IPAesque, but a little less violent and not that floral.  Has a strong hoppy punch that builds from the onset, but not a whole lot of follow-through at the finish.  That is, wouldn't recommend with a meal, but by itself, won't leave you with any scary aftertaste.  (Although you will have a bit of a wince if you're expecting something more mellow.  Not unlike [insert priest joke].)

Kopparbergs Brewery - X-Strong Premium Cider - Apple

 Origin  Sweden
Imbibed  Stockholm, Sweden
 Vendor  Systembolaget
  Oomph  Sweet Jeebus (7.0%)
Mystery  Some - tried brand before, but not flavor
Opinion  * * * * -
Comment  Has more of a sweeter, Fuji-apple taste than the typical green-apple flavor you commonly find, but without getting too syrupy.  Would have been nice to have a wee bit of tang at the end to give it a cleaner finish, though.

Anchor Brewing - Liberty Ale

 Origin  United States - San Francisco
Imbibed  Stockholm, Sweden
 Vendor  Systembolaget
  Oomph  Respectable (5.9%)
Mystery  None
Opinion  * * * * *
Comment  I am way too biased to give, well, an unbiased comment—if beer were a team, I'd be waving a giant foam finger (index, of course) for Anchor Steam.  But it's awesome, promise.

St. Helier - Pear Cider - Blackcurrant

 Origin  United Kingdom - England - Kent
Imbibed  London, England
 Vendor  Wine Basket Off-Licence
  Oomph  Manages (5.0%)
Mystery  Total, but I enjoy fruit with potential.
Opinion  * * * * -
Comment  Really tasty; intense fruit flavor without tasting like they just poured juice in it *cough blue dawg*.  Despite a fellow beer snob's concern that, "Oh my god! It's going to turn our insides purple!", we seem to have survived none the more violet for it.