Struise Schommelpeird

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

A Mes rate. Bottle at home with a big shit eating grin on my face.
I’ve had this quite a few times but I was saving myself to rate this particular bottle. Firstly because I can rate it in the comfort of my own home. Secondly because this particular bottle was given to me by my good friend Harrisoni by way of saying sorry for spraying me with Keralensis that had been ejected from his nose. It actually hit some guy we didn’t know on the back too but he didn’t notice. No Rocking Horse for him....

A beautiful burnt amber colour with an excellent off white head leaving lots of lace. The aroma is nothing short of spectacular. As an English man this really hits the spot. Lots of glorious English hops, boozy but still managing to retain poise and finesse, equally brilliant malt base and just a hint of pepper right at the top. My god. The flavour is even better. If I had this in a blind tasting I’d bank a fortune on this being English. I’d certainly never guess this was from a Belgian brewer. But hey, Struise are not your average Belgians. Yes, you can tell there is some strength to it but you would not think it’s as strong as it is. It slips down so easily. The EKG and Vale yeast combination is something most have us have experienced before but, honestly, never has it been done so well. This could have me fence licking drunk without me even noticing. There is something cakey about the malt which balances it out so bloody well it’s untrue. The finish is pure magic. Just a faint lick of sourness then an instant swashbuckling bitter hop kick in the knackers that leaves the booze and malt in its wake. Just when you think it’s all over the peppery hop aftertaste floods in and doesn’t bugger off for some time. Nor do I want it to. I think you have to be English to fully appreciate this. Yet another true masterpiece. I’m honoured to know these guys. Really. Thanks Ian. Apology throughly accepted. It was almost worth it anyway. I’ve certainly never seen anyone squirt red beer out of their nose before.

:)

P.S. I’m told there are also some American folks that deserve some props for this brew so I’m adding a cheers here to some fabulous folks!

From Koelschtrinker via trade. Poured a hazy, not quite cloudy amber color with a thin white to off-white head. Flecks of lacing. The aroma is lots of sweet malt over yeast and fruity citrus notes. The flavor is a nice combination of the fruit and the yeast with some pepper and a welcome surge of warming alcohol on the finish. Almost medium bodied. Enjoyable.

33cL bottle. Pours a murky copper color, capped with a moderate sized white head. Aroma of grapefruit, tropical fruit, caramel, alcohol, and pine. Caramel and grapefruit hit the palate first and are then joined by peach and fruity notes. Earthy hops build toward the finish and hop resins cling to the palate for a lengthy finish. Nice beer.

Bottled. Hazy orange golden color, medium white head, some debris floating around. Aroma of caramel malt, slight hop, bit sweet, some alcohol. Bit hoppy taste, some citrus, caramel malt. Bit fruity. Quite decent beer.

Bottle in a Hotel room in edinburgh with Goldorak ... hazy amber ... fruity tart orange nose ... quite bitter ... lots of citrus peel .. light hop ... hop resins.

Bottle. [thank you, harrisoni]
Pours hazy yellow-orange with a medium, fine, creamy, yellow-white head. Lovely fruity aroma, lots of grapefruity hops, biscuit malts, light liqourice, yeast, caramel, oranges. Medium carbonation, lovely oily and dry mouthfeel. Flavour is actually relatively mild. Lots of hops, grassy, piney and fruity. Crisp, biscuity malts, light caramel. Long, lingering, bitter, hoppy finish with some yeast and pepper. Very nice, the alcohol is well-hidden, but still a little dull, actually.

Bottle @ Vilvordia Bierproef Festival, Jette, Brussels. Pours a slightly hazy orange color with a small off-white head. Has a fruity malty hoppy bitter aroma with hints of caramel and citrus. Fruity malty slightly yeasty spicy flavor with hints of hops and some hints of caramle. Has a dry malty bitter hoppy finish.

Bottl@Home. Very hoppy, floral and perfume aroma. Cloudy, amber, white head, good lace. Light sweet, very bitter, fruity, peppery, floral. Medium body, dry finish. Sublime Imperial Saison if you’d ask me.