t IJ (Scharrel) IJwit

Brewed by Brouwerij ’t IJ
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bottled. Hazy nutbrownish orange colour with a huge white creamy head, leaves good lace. Strong citrusfruit and wheat in nose. Slight alcoholic sweetness as well as sugary notes there too. Flavour is wheat, yeast, barley, malts and fruit. Sweet perfumic flavour in finish. Aftertaste is caramel, yeast, and some bittering hops. Totally crazy witbier, in a good way! Palate would be excellent, but gets slightly ruined by a quite sharp carbonation.

Had fresh on tap at the tiny brewpub in Amsterdam: WOW! this is a heavy witbier! Darker,more alco, and fuller in the mouth than any other witbier i’ve ever seen. even the dutch guys with me said this wasn’t a wit, but it is . and a damn fine wit..not as traditional but its fun and inspiring to see a brewery push the limits. this was flowery and delicous and hazy and pronouced. me likey!

Another impressive brew from the Amsterdam local. Very, very similar to the V’lo in terms of bouque although less so to taste. Lots of herbs and nettles characterise this beer although the hop drive from the V’lo is lacking. Very clean, well made and full of interest. (e3.70 @ Cafe Belique)

Bottle from De Man van Drank, Leiden, hauled home to California on BA. poured a deep golden with a nice white head. Citrus aroma with hints of vanilla and cider. flavor strated slightly sweet, but trended towards the bitter side. a little heavy than your standard wit. a veryinteresting white.

Quite a pleasant wit. poured out of the bottle a hazy yellow with a nice active white head. Very nice lemony spicy flavor, with nice active palate. One of the better wits

Pours a beautiful cloudy yellow with a tall strong white head. Nose is so floral, juicy orange citrus nose with a strong corriander note. Flavor is light and refreshing, crisp in the finish with a wonderful citrus and corriander flavor. Nice little hop bit keeps it slightly bitter and refreshing. Has a slight sourness and a bit of brett taste to it.

This is the best witbier I’ve ever had. The alcohol adds a lot of body which most witbiers lack. The aroma and flavor are phenomenal, very candy-like (reminds me of grape Jolly Ranchers). I’m usually afraid of the massive amounts of sediment in ’t IJ beers but I dumped everything in my glass this time and it was a very rewarding experience. Definitely worth seeking this one out.

Bottle. Medium honey body with a medium ring of bubbles. Nose-kind of sour, malty. Taste-malt powder, tootsie roll powderness, the unsweet portion of honey, lemon zest, light sour, malty sourness. Very odd yet delicious beer. Tastes like an under spiced wit that was aged on wood to impart tannins. Unlike any wit I have ever had, and damn nice.