Struise Pannepot Grand Reserva

Brewed by De Struise Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Oostvleteren, Belgium

2005@Volo, shared with Denver Dave.. Aroma is balsamic vinegar, mixed fruit and brown sugar, inviting murky brown, small tan head. A complexity of flavours, a few being raisins, pitfruits, pomegranates, loads of malt. Medium bodied, sour/tart, dry, yet oh so drinkable, most satisfying. Scrumptious!

Bottled. Dark reddish brown coloured. Light brown dense head. Aroma of prunes, raisins, spice and marcipan. Flavour is quite similar. Very balanced, but also somewhat subdued. Has some sournotes. Medium to full bodied. Alcohol and fruits dominates the end, but a somewhat grapish sourness is there as well. I my book not as elegant and complex as the former versions, but definately still a great beer.

Dark brown with a thin tan ring. Candi sugar nose with light touches of alcohol. Taste begins with a bit of alcohol and has a lot of sweetness. More reminiscent of the original version that the reserva version. Still a bit more mellow than the original and a bit more to my liking. Not as complex but still tastes good, loses some of the spices but the sweetness that seems to characterize this beer is a lot more to my liking.

Dark, dark brown and a good long beige head. Notes of oldness, sourness, old ale style, barrel, bread, but all with a weak attitude, not bad meant. Flavor is stronger with similar notes. Smooth and with a sour and good great finish.

Double-barrel aging must give this BSA such a smoothed-out character. I pour the 33cl bottle (Bar Volo) and watch a medium-viscous pour of deep dark brown form a dense tan head that likes to leave hazy dense rings when swirled. It releases aromas that are subtly vinous, yeasty and gently sweet-malty. Taste is very refined and wine-like with muted muscat grape, raisin, and vanilla with some other subtle dry fruit hints and toffee in the background. French oak character is much rounded, and the vinous tanginess holds on to the long finish. Almost light feel but it activates many parts of the mouth senses. Not overwhelming in any respect and good stuff - would be fun to also try regular reserve and original.

<b>2700th rating!!</b> <i>Bottle (330ml) courtesy of HogTownHarry. 2005 vintage.</i> Pours a very deep bubbly amber-brown with an average size diminishing fizzy/foamy tan head. Aroma, which is milder then expected but still very nice, of lightly tart fruit, some sugary sweetness (just the right amount), malt, yeast, some hops and a hint of chocolate -- like I said, milder then expected and less complex but still very, very nice. Flavour of tart fruit, sweet caramel malt, a good amount of oak (not overdone) and sweetness -- not overly sweet which is great -- dark fruit, a bit of metal in the finish and the alcohol is well hidden. Lightly tart bitter finish. Well carbonated. Medium bodied. Not spectacular but still a great beer and I am glad to have had it.

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.

Bottle shared at the Struise Farm with Urbain, Mesandsim and Duff. Can I really detect apple on the aroma? Yes I can. Mouthfeel is quite thick in the mouth which is great. It has the original Pannepot characteristics, but with additional flavours and complexity. Cola and apple aroma. I had the chance on the Saturday after ZBF to have a session drinking regular and Reserva Pannepot at The Kulminator and I must admit that the regular is my favourite. It has all the flavours and complexity and character from a beer that I want. At this very high end of world class beer making, it really does just come down to personal taste. Oh and I ended up having 4 or 5 bottles of the regular in one night.