t IJ (Scharrel) IJwit

Brewed by Brouwerij ’t IJ
Style: Belgian White (Witbier)
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Wow, nice orange, citrus and sweet smell. Also orange body with a leggy head. Taste vanilla, cinnamon and orange, also wheat. Flat carbonation, nice fullmouth long lasting aftertaste. Refreshing after the five hours train ride to Amsterdam.

2005 bottle. I don’t understand how you give this beer a 3 or less for appearance? I don’t even understand how you give it a 4. But then I guess not everyone has the same experience. Anyways, my bottle poured a sparkling, gold-copper-yellow body, hazy, yet not murky, with a full white head and wonderful lacing. There is a ton of sediment at the bottom, with small bubbles vigorously rising. One guy even states, "beautiful yellow gold with a bright white head" and then gives it a 3. Oh well....
Nose is full of doughy yeast, light sugary yellow fruits (pears, peaches, apricots) and maybe a hint of curacao liqueur. Flavor is immediately packed with yeast, sweet malt and plenty of honey-wheat dough flavors. The large amount of residual sugar and rich malt does seem to make this one come off a bit full bodied and strong for a characteristically lighter, session style, but the more I drank, it was hard to be turned off. The flavors are just so magnificent. Honey, peaches, apricots, light peppery yeast, starfruit, and then a crisp wheat and lemon flavor towards the end that was so fresh and authentic, I soon forgot this was a 7abv malt monster (it’s not really). The natural carbonation is perfect on my palate, with an almost soothing, smooth, creamy texture as it breathes and the carbonation dies off. Not much in the bubble gum or banana department (not that I care) but the lemon and wheat flavors steal the show. Champagne-like yeast is lightly chewy yet delicate. For all of the "this is too big a beer for a wit" comments, I really felt it was still a great wheat beer. I found it refreshing on a hot sunny day and though it’s got a bigger maltiness, the flavors that the malt provide win me over.

330 ml bottle. From the Netherlands. Hazy yellow-amber colour with huge foamy off-white head. Delicious aroma of citrus, abricot, banana, grapefruit, coriander, yeast and some spices. Excellent combination of sweetness, bitterness and sourness. Flavour with yeast, fruits (citrus/grapefruit/apple), wheat, some spices and warming alcohol. Excellent strong Witbier. More of ’t IJ for me please.

Cloudy amber with a big fuffy head. Taste is mostly spicy, with pepper, wheat and orange. Big alcohol taste is right in front. Crisp and bitter with a lasting bitter aftertaste.

Almost went all day without a beer. Got a lot of stuff done so i thought I would pass myself to the land of dreams with beer. Bottle poured into a Bodum small coffee glass (hey its glass). Pours a dark glowing yellow. Cannot see through the beer. Head was pretty big but dissipated quickly. Very loud too, dont think I ever heard a beer make so much noise (like fresh opened soda). Aroma is present - candi sweetness mixed with a charcoal-like cooked meat background. Effervescent orange aroma as well. Taste is very unique for a wit, as eaglefan stated below, this realy is a different type of wit. Taste has a strong muted orange taste followed by a grainy flavor. Aftertaste is grainy sweet fruit. Despite the over-caronated look of the beer, the mouthfeel was really pleasant, not poppy like most wits. This is also one of the stronger Wits I have encounters and which is not at all present in the beer. I give this beer a few more points for creativity. Everything they make is really good. As it warms (and with the sediment) the taste becomes a mix of orange candy sweetness.

Bottle. Heavy aroma of green apples, raspberries and orange juice. Nice pillowy head on top a pale golden beer. Flavor is very, very smooth and with a taste that reminds me of fresh scones(krydderboller). As you sip the beer some lactic acid unveils itself and makes this beer even more refreshing and enjoyable. Ends with a spicy graininess and very light bitterness, which is unlike the rather unpleasant sharp bitterness that sometimes is found in beers from this brewery. Nice smooth texture and just a tad too carbonated for my likings (but still less than usual for wits
Has all the qualities of good wheat beer without any of the bad things. A real gem! - I just wish I was sipping it on a warm summer day instead of a wet and cold December evening four days before Christmas.

Had fresh on tap at the tiny brewpub in Amsterdam: WOW! this is a heavy witbier! Darker,more alco, and fuller in the mouth than any other witbier i’ve ever seen. even the dutch guys with me said this wasn’t a wit, but it is . and a damn fine wit..not as traditional but its fun and inspiring to see a brewery push the limits. this was flowery and delicous and hazy and pronouced. me likey!

Bottle. Pale yellow orange in color with a nice lacing. Fruity citrusy yeasty aroma. Coriander. Fruity citrusy yeasty flavor. Smooth tasting. Coriander. Malty. Banana notes. Interesting. Finish is sweet. Very nice beer. Drinkable. Enjoyable.