t IJ Vlo

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

330ml bottle at Gollem, Amsterdam, 10/02/07. Pours a cloudy mid-amber with a large, short-lived head. The aroma is very clean - very nice mix of citrus, floral and straw scents. The flavour delivers on the promise with a good hoppy bitterness that carries through to the aftertaste. Light and drinkable, but I feel that the alcohol is a bit too apparent and in my opinion, stops this being truly great.

Bottle, at Catford beer festival, June 2006. Hazy orange with a big fluufy straw head. Is this a wheat beer base? Certainly seemed like it from the aroma. Plus some light spicy notes. More spice of the palate, but I’m not sure what. Also lotsof tangy, hoppy bitterness. Some metallic/mineral edges to the mouthfeel. Impossible to classify. Unusual and surprisingly good.

Spicy, warming, unfiltered and kind of pungent. The head is huge and like whipped cream. I want more of this beer but it is difficult to locate.

Bottled. Golden coloured. Unclear. Dense and creamy off white head. Sweetness, yeast, fruits, spice and light sourness in the aroma. Flavour has orangepeel, light caramel, yeast, fruits and some spicy herbal notes. Quite nice and complex. Is medium to full bodied. Ends on a fruity and light herbal bitterness.

Draft - Hazy amber body with an off white head, lacing; A little hop on malty standard UK-cask-ale back; Bitter slightly sour body, soft texture, soft carbonation: Bitter finish actually more malty then hoppy bitter, simple hop aromas. This is the breweries top beer tastes from draft at the brewery, dammmmn these guy make well made but super boring beer!

Bottle. Pours a slight coppery golden - very clear and bursting with bubbles. Very big, bubbly head that settles with a good creaminess at the top with big bottles going down towards the liquid. A nice milky white colour on the head. Aroma is very nice. Apricot, cinnamon, coriander, other spices and herbs. Surprisingly low in carbonation compared to the size of the head and the apparent bubbles. Flavour is equally surprising - beginning sweet and fruity, it sort of disappears if you keep the beer in your mouth - giving a slight feel of water. But as soon as you swallow the creamy liquid you discover more spices. A warming, peppery (quite hot!) feel dominates, with a herbal and floral freshness lighting things up a bit. An aquired taste I must admit - I liked it, but will lower the rating a touch because of the middle being so weak.

From the Cracked Kettle, Amsterdam. Apricot aroma, sweet and sour. A soft and round beer, with complex flavour. In addition to the fruit, there are some spices, too - cloves and pepper. A warming afterglow with fine bitterness. A great beer!

Bottle from the Cracked Kettle, Amsterdam. Cloudy orange and some sediment. Huge, long-lasting head. Dandelions in the aroma and other lighter spices. Sour, herbal flavor. Earthy. I thought it was a saison. However it is classified, I like it.