Struise Mikkeller (Elliot Brew)

It is an interesting mix of a Belgian head with an American/Norwegian body. Pleasant enough but the lack of clear identity was a negative for me.

11.2oz bottle purchased at Belmont Station in Portland Oregon. Pour is golden with a beautiful head of clinging lace that coats the glass and lays in a fluffy layer across the tops of the beer. Aroma is yeasty and alcoholic. There is also some rustic citric aroma and grassy hop notes. The flavors are much the same. The yeast and alcohol are very present, but not offensive, which is tricky to do. The citrus notes are there as well, but muted and blended with the hops in a way that make neither clear. A very interesting beer and more than worthy of being in Ratebeer’s Masters series.

Opaque tan with a rocky head. Herbal, minty hop nose with citrus rind and chewy malts. A sweet and spicy brew, with citrusy overtones, a chewy caramel middle, and a woody, alcoholic finish. That bit of unbalanced booziness and a general lack of brightness holds this one down.

Pours a very merky orange, with floaters, and a thick fluffy white head. Aroma of hops and citrus. Even a little caramel. Taste of citrus and hops. Very grassey, piney. Nice carbonation Very nice lacing on the glass. A sold brew.

Bottle. Bright orange with haze, a beige head, and lots of carbonation. Aroma of caramelized malts, burnt sugar, freshly stewed fruit compote, sapote, incense, perfume, and natural soaps. Not at all like an IPA so far but plenty fine. Solid palate, slightly sticky. A tad oxidized. Sweeter than expected, more like a Belgian blonde or tripel in character than an IPA but does have a lingering finish with hops, plantains, and honey.