Struise Pannepot Reserva

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

Pours out a dark and cloudy slightly reddish hued brown with a moderate to larger lacing off white head. Impressive aroma, nice earthy/oak notes with some dark dried fruit notes and a slight alcoholic note. Taste is very complex, dried dark fruit, mainly cherries, figs and some raisin go with some very nice earthy notes, oak and some slight vanilla with an earthy/very slightly alcoholic finish. Velvet- like mouthfeel. Very impressive beer, well worth the hefty price tag that came along with this one.

2005. Thick, somewhat fizzy light beige head, slow to fade. Sheet lacing with irregular holey patches. At first glimpse the body looks black. Closer inspection reveals a bold though extremely dark chestnut color with mahogany fiery crimson and Autumn orange hues. The aroma is gorgeous. It’s immediately, unmistakably evident that Pannepot is the base beer, but there are stark contrasts. The powerful spice notes of the unoaked version are softened, refined and melded into a wintry concoction. Heavy barrel notes lead the procession. Following is vanilla, soft sweet cherries, passion fruit, hefty licorice, coriander, strawberry, caramel and sugar. Faint hints from the barrel and spice combinations elude to the wonders of Islay Sctoch, specifically a vivid recollection of my last sip of Caol Ila. Pumpkinseed sneaks in for a brief moment. Almost zero alcohol is evident. This appears to be a marvelous result of just the right amount of barrel aging. Oh, how I adore what French Oak does to flavors in alcoholic beverages, of all sorts. What a nose; I think Pannepotpourri would be a better name for this. Alcohol shines through moderately to heavily in the flavor. Spice notes are now laden with pepper. The oak barrel taste is very lightly tannic, delicate but everpresent. Caramel is plentiful and lends to a sweetness that verifies the young age. This isn’t as sweet as a fresh, unoaked bottle is but has copious chocolate and vanilla. Viscosity is very high even though the body is still relatively large and sticky. The mouthfeel is full-bodied with moderate carbonation(or heavy carbonation that is velvety). In a divergence from the original version, this beer seems thinned somewhat from a stay so long in the barrel; there are, however, no heavy tannins, noticeable oxidation or any off flavors. The finish is balanced, erring on the sweet side, with lingering candy notes. Not as exciting as the original, though if that changes after this sits in the bottle awhile I would’t be the least bit surprised. That wishful thinking will warrant at least a few revisits. Oh, darn.

Bottle, chris_o shindig. Dark brown, tan head. Smooth aroma, acidity just at right level. Very complex. Citrus. Flavour is complex, oaky sweet malt, slightly coriander, clove, spice, cinnamon. Palate is a little sweet. Excellent, so spicy and complex. Could drink this all day.

Interesting. The abv of 10% is far more noticable that the the other 2 Pannepot beers, Relatively simpled and subdued early before a kick of aniseed, big malts and alcohol.

C&PLYFOTD: 2005 bottle, courtesy TheCheeseMan. Caramel red pour, thin lacing and a white head. Slightly tart nose, cherries, hazy chocolate, licorice, honey, and just a shit-ton of spices. Rich brown sugar flavors, caramel and chocolate, very dry sexy tartness throughout. Very rich. Full-bodied, very yummy, could drink for ages. Delicious.

Enjoyed some time ago at Springlickers Fish Fry. 2005 bottle. A great improvement on an already great beer. Creamier than the regular but with the same sharp edge to the finish. Oak and yeast are there and some noticeable spices. Plenty of dark fruit and malt. Prunes and dark fruit with cream all over this fireside delight. Just a nice drink.

"Mystery" sample at Portland International Brewfest. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw bottles of this sitting at a booth! Poured dark brown with a small white head, light lacing. Aroma was vinous, caramel, brown sugar, oak and fig/plum. Flavor was plum, fig, light chocolate, caramel, quite a bit more sour and vinous than I’d expect from having had regular Pannepot so many times. Nice bit of oak finish. This was the 05 version, and it was very tasty.

750mL bottle, thanks to my cousin (ggaughan). Poured deep chestnut colored, with a huge, frothy tan head and active carbonation. Earthy, herbal aroma with anise, oak, ginger, yeast, and dark fruit. Flavor of dried fruit, herbs, spice, oak, nuts, and cocoa. Warming alcohol in the finish. Really nice beer, I can’t wait to try it again alongside the other Pannepots (and hopefully the Grand Reserva as well).