t IJ Vlo

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

A hazy golden ale with a thick onctuous off white head, lacing and beautiful. A very herbal hops aroma, catnip, some Brett, and lemon notes. In mouth, another fine Orval style ale, with bready malt, light Brett notes, coriander, orange peels, herbal bitterness, very sustained. Bottle bought in Amsterdam, Nov. 2006, so 2.5 years old. Still a treat!!!

bottle at Arendsnest in Amsterdam - I can’t believe I spent six nights in Amsterdam and neglected to go to this brewery. Well, at least I had a bottle of their beer, I guess. Pours dark blonde with a white head. The aroma is of malt and hops with some light citrus notes. It tastes of bready malt, moderately strong hops bitterness, and spice. It’s medium bodied and has a long, bitter finish. Very nice brew.

Bottle (33 cl) at Het Amsterdamtje, Göteborg, Sweden. Hazy amber, rich white head. Fruity and earthy aroma, with notes of peaches and apricot, and an earthy saison-like yeastiness. Medium bodied and smooth. Well balanced, dry and moderately bitter finish.

33 cl bottle at Het Amsterdamtje, Göteborg
On May 11, 2009
Hazy golden color, big lasting off-white head. Perfumy, spicy, hoppy, malty sweet scent. Spicy, malty, dry, alcohol taste. Medium mouthfeel, dryish medium high bitterness.

A little hazy, orange/some brown colored beer, with athick foamy light beige head. The aroma of malts, fruits like citrus and orange. Lot of hops. The taste of bitter hop with fruits like citrus and orange. Spices like coriander and a little sweet. The aftertaste is a long time bitter.

Re-ratet 2009 at Cafe Belgique in Amsterdam (on tap). Muddy orange body with a descent off-white head. Aroma is citric fruity and spicy. Flavor is refreshing fruity with a citric acidity, coriander, herbs, yeast, malt and some hops. Balanced sweetness and fine finish. Reminds me of a spicy saison, much better than last time a sampled this some years ago. 2-3-2-2-3 330 ml bottle. I know for sure this beer is supposed to be a lot better than this, and something is wrong with this bottle. Then again it passed the control and where sold so this is the beer I have to base my rating on. (this rating has been laying around in my drawer for at least one year) Will re-rate as soon as the opportunity comes again. Hazy orange beer with a white head. Unpleasant aroma of mould and sewer. Flavor is malty and harsh bitter with an acidulous dominance.

Bottle. First taste was repulsive but after few sips it turns to be one very interesting beer. Doesn’t have pleasant smell. Sour aroma, herbal notes. Citrusy fruits, fermented grape mostly. Quite spicy. Yeasty. Hazy orange-brown body.

On tap at Cafe Belgique in Amsterdam. Really citrusy taste, sour almost. But also very crisp. Well-worth searching out, a very good drink.