t IJ Struis

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

Re rate, same batch. Bottle conditioned, BBE 0103. Ruby red brown, good creamy off white head and good condition. Excellent figgy, fruity, woody malt with traces of aniseed, cloves and a degree of pleasant oxidation in the nose. Delightful perfectly judged figgy malt in the mouth, not too sweet and masking the alcohol with ease, some fruity tartnes but in a good way, a suggestion of peaty malt whisky and finally a touch of aniseed coming through as it warms. Long spicy finish with hazlenuts and coconut suddenly appearing, joined by some alcoholic warming and a feeling of general well being. Seems to benefit from a little ageing. Original rating 16/02/03 (8-4-8-4-16)Chestnut-ruby red, thin creamy but lasting head and low condition. Quite complex aromas of nuts, figs and bready yeast carried out on a wave of alcohol. Thin in the mouth for 9%, with some fruity malt and a hint of chocolate and some raisins briefly in the finish before becoming dry

This is excellent. I say we call it an Abbot. No hops to this beer, it is all about the malt. Aroma begins with an initial burst of alcohol, then that fades and what remains is malt, fermenting fruit, and yeast. Flavor has sweet plums, cherry, light raisin, brandy, brown sugar, bread dough, and caramel. Thick and heavy, dark brown with lots of sediment and a lasting head. As usual, t’IJ has a great beer.

Bottled. Hazy dark brown colour, topped with a fluffy tan-coloured head. Yeasty and biscuity aroma with notes of black cherries, black currant, alcohol and caramel with a light sourish undertone. Quite dry flavour of yeast, cherry-skins, dried figs and oily hops. Long finish of orange-peels, yeast and cherry pastilles. A very interesting ale.

Bottle. Rich bronze color with a big tan head. Yeasty, berry/plum aroma with some earthy malt. Rich malty flavor with some earthy yeast, spice, and plum/raisin. Fuller bodied. Lingering light fruit and lots of malt. Nice, rich, and good complexity.

Murky brown pour with lots of floaties and a medium light brown head that leaves nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of leather, yeast, malt and caramel. Very good flavor of leather, yeast, malt and caramel. The body has a light to medium thickness with a creamy and dry texture and soft carbonation.

Redbrown colour. Taste is a little to acidic.

From the bottle pours darker copper brown, lots of little creatures floating around, with a tall strong white head. Aroma was sweet and sour, light hoppy and sweet fruity. Cherry and chocolate flavors show in the rich malts, some wild yeast give it a dry earthy qualty with a touch of sourness. Very dry spicy finish. Very enjoyable new take on "barleywine".

Terrific! Quite syrupy and sweet, yet also sourish at the same time. Almost doppelbockish. The label depicts a sinister ostrich standing in front of an ominous black watch tower that looks like the conning tower on the USS Midway. The alcohol is very well concealed and in a stealthlike manner it will get you if you drink enough. Bravo!