Surly Viking Ale / Asator Viking IPA

Here's the other special Surly from that event of last month. It was once known as Asator Viking IPA, yet another brew in honor of a heavy metal band that debuted at the taproom, and popped out at occasional venues that hosted metal music shows. When it was re-brewed this recent time, the Asator (which I don't know how to say anyway, let alone the band Amen Amore', or whatever), was gone, as well as the IPA part.

What is it? Let's tackle that later, for first my notes, which are informed by my understanding of what it is...

Clouded dark coloring, off-brown head, settles into as slim ring.

Aroma: Softly malty, lightly bitter, minor fruit/herb notes pop up and the heated smoke takes over. Especially arresting and original .

Taste: a dry one, with grassy bitterness rising on the palate assuredly, though malt is in command ….Not all of the usual suspects in this, instead it’s populated with many other flavors. Just a taste of the smoke on it, just enough to keep it too hoppy, too malty, too anything. Never too anything, but ultimately intriguing and rewarding. Wouldn’t have too many of these, but it’s great to return to ….

Here's a description I pilfered from the interwebnets:
The weather may be brutally cold when A special strong beer, brewed specifically for an Amon Amarth, Enslaved and Skeletonwitch event at Mill City Nights. “The Surly production team is fueled by metal,” head brewer Todd Haug says, “so what better way to honor three of our favorite bands who have braved the winter to perform for Minnesota.” This brew takes its name from an Amon Amarth song title and will be poured first at the concert, and for a very limited time at the brewery’s Taproom. “Asator, Surly Viking IPA, is a beer fit for battle, fermented on oak with a ruddy brown color,” Haug says The ale was brewed with peated, brown and crystal malts to create a shield wall of malt flavors, only to be hacked apart by a swinging sword of hops!"

And this is stolen from their website: Surly Viking Ale is a beer fit for battle, fermented on red oak and hickory boards with a ruddy brown color. The ale was brewed with peated, brown and crystal malts to create a shield wall of malt flavors, only to be hacked apart by a swinging sword of hops. The aromas of this beer are driven by the smoke character of the peated malt, and a blend of roast and light caramel notes.

A special beer that was first brewed specifically for an Amon Amarth event at Mill City Nights in 2014, and again for their 2016 shows at Sokol in Omaha, and at The Varsity Theater in Minneapolis. The Surly production team is fueled by metal so what better way to honor one of our favorite bands who braved the winter to first perform for Minnesota. This brew’s initial name, Asator came from Amon Amarth song title from their album With Oden On Our Side.