t IJ Struis

Brewed by Brouwerij ’t IJ
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bottle. Damn! this one strange beer! The first thing you notice is the awesome aroma, that tickles your nose right after you open the bottle: raisins, brown sugar, old port wine - which is naturally intensified when you pour it into the glass.

When poured it sports a big bubbled tan head (which quickly fades) on top of a muddy brown body full of big yellow yeast lumps. Flavor is not as intense as the aroma (I would guess it to be overconditioned), but nonetheless quite tasty with pumpernickel bread, dried fruit, licorice and a nice dry malt flavor, Unfortunately there is also just a hint of metal and bakers yeast giving it a home brewed signature... but not enough to really detract from the overall picture. The alcohol is amazingly well hidden for a beer this ABV - I would have guessed it to be in the 6-7% range.
The finish is watery and with no signs of hop bitterness - the carbonation is quite powerful.

I’m starting to develop a soft spot for this brewery, as they seem to produce beers that you may not find entirely like, or fin are well made, but with personality and character - which I deem more important. Thanks Rpattinson for bringing this one (as well as a load of other stuff to Copenhagen to share)

Pours with a frothy, 1 finger thick, light brown head that sits atop a hazy, deeply amber colored brew. The aroma is malty and rich with notes of concentrated, sweet malt extract, a sweet dough like breadiness, along with notes of prunes and figs. To balance the sweet notes there is a baking spice type spiciness here with notes of clove, a hint of nutmeg, perhaps a touch of cinnamon, and even a note of spicy cardamom. The aroma is concentrated and sweet, like a dark holiday sweet bread or even a cake. It is quite the way to end the evening.

The taste has an upfront fruity sweetness that is not too heavy and reminds me of figs, and raisins. There is also a nice backdrop of maltiness here that has notes of caramel, brown sugar, a hint of molasses and a certain fresh, bready quality that reminds me of a sweet spice cake. This beer really has a rich quality to it that is quite satisfying and satiating, though it certainly is not sticky at all, or even too full on the palate. It has just the heft to it to remain drinkable, in fact it is the flavors of this beer, not the thick body, that make this such a savory experience.

<font size=-4>Purchased at: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/illinois/chicag Wine & Spirits, Chicago IL<font size=-1>

Bottle (330ml). Poured hazy deep orange-brown with a thin creamy off-white head, plenty of floaties. Slightly bitter aroma of plantation sugar/carmel malt, yeast, spices, sultanas and hints of table cream and wood - nice and blended. Taste is similar, but a little muted, some grapeseed and alcohol bitterness. Mouthfeel average body and carbonation - nice, but nothing special.

Deep brown and full of swimmers, this has a creamy tan head with plenty o’ fine lacing. The aroma is sweet malt, yeast, raisins, and dark brown sugar. Creamy and slightly oily on the tongue, it’s got a flavor reflective of the nose except that a hint of the sturdy abv comes through. Very nice, if not exciting.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Wine & Spirits, Chicago, IL<font size=-1>

33 cl bottle. Yeast in bottom brown colour with a nice white head. Great aroma of sweet dried fruit and hints of yeast. Complex flavour of roasted malt and with notes of sourness and yeast.

This beer is a dark reddish-brown color with a thick long-lasting head, great-looking yeast sea monkeys and moderate lacing. The palate is nice—moderately thick with velvety carbonation. The aromas are a trip: pipe tobacco, raisins and dates, cellar, alcohol and damp garden soil. Very earthy and warming. The flavor is mildly bitter-sweet with an average-length finish. Yes, please! Pretty darn drinkable for 9%!

Bottled. Hazy brown, beige head. Sourish chocolate-aroma. Full chocolate-flavour with a warm alco-feel.

(Bottle 33 cl) Dark amber with a small, off-white head. Slightly tart, fruity nose. Caramelish sweetness with some odd - but pleasant - fruity notes of....pineapple! Must be an ester. No real bitterness. 291005