t IJ Zatte

Brewed by Brouwerij ’t IJ
Style: Abbey Tripel
Amsterdam, Netherlands

My second time around with the people from tIJ brewery. The first wasn’t the best of beers so I had hoped this was better, and it proved to be so. Aroma was fruit (apricots) and yeasty, but fairly one dimensional. A cloudy orange/yellow color. Flavors were apricots, bready yeast, some malt sweetness and a bit of citrus. I think I’d buy this again.

Another interesting trippel that I picked up during my travels. Slightly sweet, but not over the top or cloying. Cookie dough maltiness with some orage jamminess, thick sticky mouthfeel. Finishes dry, but has a wonderful lingering finish, like a dry sauvingon blanc.

33cl bottle, best before 03/2006. Drinking it right now. Poured into small Bodum glass coffee cup. Deep golden color with lots of sediment and visible carbonation (bubbles). Looks like a golden gelatin. Small head. Present aroma - lots of candi sweetness but in a different manner. Real deep earthy sweetness. I am starting to get a rhythem to these beers aromas. Taste is similarly earthy belgian. I almost want to say a roasty sweetness or woodsy. Leaves a sweet wet forest aftertaste. Original.

Notches marked March/05. Born or best? Hazy gold with a few floaters, topped by a frothy, 1 inch white cap. Aroma of old grains similar to a very light whiskey with a few ice cubes melted in it. Sweet fruits, mildly sour funky yeast, vinegar, also. Flavors are sweet and fruity, rich yet crisp malt, a subtle herbal/pepper spiciness, tangy vinegar, just a bit of musty funk, and a dry yeasty finish that makes me want to drink it way too fast. Very mellow. Full, smooth palate. Solid brew, have to try some of their others.

Bottle with a somewhat crude lable but a solid beer. I felt the 8% alcohol but it does not feel as stiff as most tripels. An odd combination of sweetness wiith a sour and somewhat bitter finish. It all blends very well for a drinkable combination.

A golden tripel with more citrus than spice. Yeasty smell of old sweat. Quite mellow and pleasing on the palate like a glass of orange juice diluted with white wine. Slightly acidic. Finish is not as dry as other tripels but rather refreshing.

33cl bottle, age unknown
Consumed at ’t IJ, Amsterdam, May 2006
Cloudy saturated orange color, perfectly presented white head. Punchy, sharp hop note, leafy even, bbut too sweet, as is expected in Holland I have learned. Excellent sharp alcohol and yeast nose, mildly grassy as well. Good tripel, with solid sharpness, but too much sugar.

33cl. BB 03/06. Pours a muddy, yeasty sunset color with a good, fine bead and a very awesome frothy, lacey head. Aroma is complete allure! Tropical fruits including pineapple, citrus, throw in some pear maybe, slight banna...fruit galore! French vanilla too...incredible aroma. Brings me back to Amsterdam...there’s maybe this faint red liquorice in it too...man its complex. The drink is completely lush, just like the aroma...silken sweetish fruit with a certain balancing tartness...something lemon like, merrange maybe....creamy sweet tart citrus. I think this is absolutely tremendous...a bit funky, a bit acidic, but the fruit is wonderous...and there is some malt there too!