t IJ Struis

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

(33 cl bottle at The Rover, Göteborg) Sour scent, like a lambic but not as complex. Shady brown color, big lasting tan head. Spicy taste, low bitterness. Warming alcohol.

Rating 1400. 11.2 oz bottle. Bought at State line in Md. Pours a deep amber/ light brown with a big fluffy cloudy light beige head and sticky cobweb-like lace. Aroma has some brett in it which is nice but isnt overly powerful initially. Lots of fruity esters like raisin and plum in the aroma, phenolic herbal and barnyard as well, and even a hint of cherry pie-like brett/pedio in there. Flavor has a sharp bite to it from the brett, lots of wild things going on- horseblanket, barnyard, clove, must, and a light tart acidity in the end. Some sweet caramel malts, some nuts, and a bit of hops in the finish. Brett produces some nice high carbonation but isnt too harsh and still goes down pretty easy. Nice aftertaste. This is a great belgian strong ale, that is enhanced by the brett, even though im not even sure there is supposed to be brett in here at all. I love brett, so this was kickass. I am wondering why no one else has noticed brett in this though.

330ml bottle (Cracked Kettle, Amsterdam)
Lively as I pour it, a huge tight creamy, self-supporting and persistent off-white head. I’ll need a spoon to get through to the beer! Mahogany in colour, slightly hazy. Dry, slightly yeasty, bitter aromas are all I get from the head. I’ll wait another 5 minutes and see if something else vaporous collects in the glass... One Python episode later - it’s fruity and spicy. Soft palate. Quite tart, and very fruity taste - peaches and melons, with cinnamon and perhaps some nutmeg. Sweet sour tinge is interesting. Quite light, doesn’t feel 9%. Simple tangy, heading towards vegetal, but sweet, heading towards plasticky, malty finish, that segues to more traditional medium-roasted malts, which hadn’t previously shown themselves. Soft.

Had this from bottle at the brewpub, Amsterdam, 27th Oct 2009 Pours hazy dark brown with an off-white filmy head. There are malts and hops in abundance on the nose and also in the mouth along with a nice chewiness, bit of banana and a very nice warmth from the alcohol. Soft in the mouth, good spiciness, powerful brew, but tasty stuff and the third very nice beer from this brewpub. A7 A4 F7 P5 Ov15 3.8

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

Somewhat hazy amber, offwhite head. Malty aroma with toffee, chocolate, vanilla, plum and cream. Creamy, milky flavor, vanilla, licorice notes. Quite mild finish and very pleasant.

Bottle, sampled at The Rover, Göteborg. Dark brown. Quadrupel nose - plum, licorice, residual sugars. Full, chewy body with notes of chocolate, licorice(impy stout comes to mind), plum, dark apples. Pretty complex. Bitter exit.

33 cl bottle, bought in Amsterdam. Brown ale with lost of carbonation, large head. Full, I’d say agressive taste, with a sourness kicking you in the teeth before the full malty taste is allowed in the door. This is certanly not for casual drinker, a beer with hair on its chest. Full malt, including some prunes and dates, lots of spice - cinnamon and pepper. I bought three t Ij bottles, the first two were off, but this one was great!