Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva

To me, this is the best belgian strong ale...even over the number one ranked beer. This has so many nice complexities in the flavor, ranging from brown sugar, to some fruit notes, to an almost chocolate flavor. Not as acidic IMO as other strong belgians and had a fuller mouthfeel.

Vintage 2005. It is dark, red mahogany and the head is creamy. The aroma is vinous and sweetish with notes of plum, raisin, figs, roasted malt, caramel and only a little wood. The flavour has sweetness and notes of plum, raisin, grapes, figs, roasted malt, licorice, caramel, wood and hints of vanilla. It is vinous and very complex. I prefer the normal Pannepot.

Thanks to hopdog for sharing this one. Pours a deep hazy brown with a smaller bubbly creamy off white head. Aroma of molasses, caramel, woody, dark fruits, cherry, toffee, spices and minced meat pie. Flavor was pretty much a match of the aroma.

Poured a murky brown color with a small, light tan head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of brown sugar, nutmeg, vanilla, caramel malts, light apple, raisins, oak, and a bit of alcohol. Taste of rum soaked raisins, apple, cherries, caramel, dark fruits, vanilla, and oak, with light alcohol in the finish. I think the 05 Reserva has aged better than this one. Thanks Steve for sharing this!

Pours a dark, dark brown with hints of red.Small mocha coloured head that lasts a while. Aroma is of chocolate fudge, candied cherries, vanilla, spice, caramel, sweet plums. Taste is something incredible. An explosion of flavor including candied fruits, pear, vanilla, chocolate, balsamic vinegar, hint of spice from the oak, plums, figs, and fennel. Great staying power on the finnish, really good lacing on the glass. Really good balance of sweet and sour. Sit back and enjoy this one!

Cloudy dark brown pour with golden highlights. Towering rocky head. Delicious array of aromas beginning with fudgey chocolate and toffee followed by nuances of burnt sugar and spice and fig paste and very subtle oak. Rich malts smooth as silk deliver all of the above on the palate. The finish is uplifted beautifully by an almost tangy subtle funk-acidity suggestive of brettanomyces. There is no suggestion of alcohol heat in mine at all. This is the smoothest and richest 10% ABV beer I have ever had and it is also among the most enjoyable in its approachable complexity. Truly outstanding!

2005 bottle, thanks xocoatl. Very dark brown, big frothy brownish head - looks great. Tons of malt in aroma, some spice, earthy, some oak, some wine. Really nice. Taste - oh man, I have not tasted something with this much depth of flavour in a long time. Wonderful foamy medium body that works really well to highlight the soft spices, the wonderful malt with just a hint ofo tartness and the perfectly balanced oak in the finish. Warming alcohol always in the back ground. It was a coupel of years ago when I had the regular pannepot - I cannot say which one is better. But this is really really good.

2005 bottle via daddyslick...THANKS BRAD. Extremely fragrant brew...aroma pouring out of the bottle even before the beer reaches the glass. Smells of red wine, brown sugar, brett sourness, and a touch of cherry skin. Flavor is quite complex with molasses, maple syrup, alcohol, sour grapes and cherry skin making its tartness known late in the experience. Clear mahogany pour and small but creamy khaki head gives no insight into how amazing this beer is. Medium mouthfeel. A very tasty beer and glad I had a chance to try this one.