Struise Pannepot

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

Smells and looks pretty good. Big head but it disappears quickly. A little fizzy, but pretty smooth. A crisp bite comes out at the end and lingers. This is great. Doesn’t seem strong at all.

Blasphemy, I realize, but I thought the Old Monk’s Ale was better than this beer. Nonetheless, this is a very good beer offering some very pleasant sour notes in addition to some fruitiness that is quite distinct from the Old Monk’s Ale. Poured a dark red-brown. Didn’t leap out of the bottle the way the Old Monk’s Ale did. Sturdy tan head fades to a scummy coating atop the beer. Aroma is sour, vinegar, and somehow chalky...like Deus. The aroma was also sour enough to me to be reminiscent of a Berlinerweisse. Flavor is preceded by that rough, chalky mouthfeel. Cherry-ish and very sour. Some roastiness and a ton of sour. I love sour, and believe it to be the flavor atop the beer hierarchy of flavors (if there is such a thing), but I’m not sure that the sour is presented here in the most attractive way...I love sour beers, and this is a very good beer with some sour elements, yet I didn’t love this beer. Nonetheless, I would recommend it. I obtained this bottle at Beer Mania in Brussels.

This is arguably the best beer that I have ever had. It blends the depth of a Rochfort 10 with the sweetness of a Stille Nacht and the malty goodness of a World Wide Stout, while barely scratching the surface. It pours a deep dark brown with a slight head. Aroma is dark fruit, cinnamon, lots of malt, candy sugar, alcohol, raisins, and other flavors yet to be experienced by the uninitiated. It finishes incredibly smoothly and a finish that leaves the drinker remarkably enticed. Harder to find than a Golden Flea biting an immortal two-headed goat in Florida right now.

My favourite strong belgian. So soft and velvet like, is makes my think of..... Dark brown colour, hazy look and nice foam. Watch out when opening, it sometimes "boils" over. Flavour is rich with dired fruit, sweet malt and nice light sourness makes this brew outstanding. Vintage 2006.

I grew up on the Indian River and a 10 minute walk from the ocean. Both were my playground, fishing is a lifelong passion of mine, and Hemingway an inspiration. Therefore, to partake of a fine old ale in the style and tradition of the fisherman of yore is a special treat for me. My heart definitely lies with the ocean and my body rests contentedly amidst her watery embrace.
My Struise Pannepot poured a solid black into my glass while leaving no room for the light of day anywhere within her depths. A fat thick cappuccino tinged head rises and fades into a foamy blanket on top. From the first to the last quaff, that blanket rests on top of her body as if to protect her from the elements. A sweet nip in the nose is quickly overwhelmed by winter spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, roasted chestnuts, and hints of fresh rhubarb pie. Wow. All that in just a few whiffs of the nose. Impressive and tantalizing all at the same time. Not one to keep a lady waiting, I delve into her watery depths and am greeted by a very frothy body and mouthfeel which belies her appearance. Sweet and creamy, I taste dark cherries, rhubarb, and spices. A bit chewy, my Struise Pannepot is sweet and vegetal at the same time. Not to be outdone, further exploration reveals more dark fruits and a hint of vanilla peeks through as her waters warm. The finish is smooth, sweet, spicy and warming. A perfect restorative while out fishing Mother Ocean’s cold watery depths or after docking from a long day appeasing her fickle nature. All the way down to my last quaff a spider web network of brussels lace sticks to the sides of my glass like sargassum. Magnificent.
While I could enjoy my Struise Pannepot at any time of the year, she is definitely more of a winter brew. From start to finish I was bewitched by her seductive call, like the sirens of lore. If I could get my hands on another bottle, I wouldn’t hesitate a moment, and if I could get my hands on a case, I wouldn’t hesitate either. Now, where’s my Hemingway. I have a hankering for The Old Man and the Sea.

2006 bottle shared with m4rest88. Sadly, a gusher... Pours with a rocky, light brown head with a very dark brown body. Aroma of currants, alcohol, figs, dry red wine, slightly herbal with caramel, chocolate, brandy, cinnamon and raisins (pretty complex). Taste is sweet with strong alcohol, dark fruits, blood, brandy and coffee. Syrupy mouthfeel with strongish, carbonation for the weight and style.

wow! a great beer! 2006 bottle thanks to bman1113vr. Pours with a dark brown hue, with virtually no head after the gushing stopped. Aroma is of dark fruits, herbs, and red wine. It has a strong alcohol smell as well a moderate amount of sweet malt. The flavor is alcoholic all the way through and is very warming. Dark fruits and metal also come out in the flavor. Syrupy mouthfeel, with light carbonation.

Dark brown pour with a huge bubbling cream colored head. Aroma is fruity, yeasty, and has hints of brown sugar and caramel. Flavor is yeasty, sugary, and slightly alcoholic. More like a quad/abt than a Belgian Strong Ale. Spicy throughout. Sweet finish.