 Savvy1982 (303), Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Jun 7, 2009 Bottle. Pours a deep black, marvelous looking stuff, surprisingly darker than the Grand Reserva. Nose is yeast, dark fruit, spice, fig, raisin, toffee, cinnamon. Palate is big, rich, and a bit boozy. Dark fruits, well integrated character. Tastes "bigger" than the Grand Reserve, but coarser, simpler. Some sourness, and a brief finish. I really must try an older vintage of this, but until then my rating stands. Really very good, but not exceptional this go around.
41cubs (131), , New Jersey, USA
Jun 1, 2009 I feel bad to do this but this one wasn’t great this time. Smell of red wine, rye seed, pumpernickel bread, alcohol and tart cherries. Great looking brew. It is a yeast beast. The carbonation overtook this beer and made the flavors just meld together until it was in my glass for an hour: just too much. Flavor was like yeasty, must and prune juice with an alcoholic dry finish. The mouthfeel was like soda when cold and fresh but luxurious and coating when warmed. The bottle is two years old and maybe wasn’t cared for so well so I’m anxious to give this beer another shot. Sorry Struise. 2007 small bottle.
danielcurtis81 (879), San Diego, California, USA
May 31, 2009 Bottle via trade with ygtbsm94. WARING this is a gusher!! I need to learn that Struise beers like to gush and open and pour. Pours an opaque deep brown with a disappearing light brown head. Nose is caramel, raisin, dark fruits, barrel aged alcohol. Flavors follow caramel, raisin, dark fruits, oak, brown sugar, nutmeg. Mouth is super carbonated, smooth with an oaky finish. Real good beer.
AR (417), Georgia, USA
May 31, 2009 2006 bottle. This is a solid, full-bodied ale. It has a spicy malt sweetness that lingers on the palate.
gam (1061), brisbane, Australia
May 29, 2009 Nice biege head large and frothy good carbonation a very dark brown coloured ale nearly black,aroma clove cinnamon sweet fig hint of raisin liccorice alcohol like port aroma.Flavour goes down so well smooth crisp fig raisin cinnamon a creaminess touch of liccorice alcohol port taste mild bitter so well proportioned with the sweetness.Hops are great backing and evening of tastes,fizz on the tongue back palate great,clear crisp flavour to the end.The finish smooth full flavour malty palate pleaser.Bottle 2007 via the Cracked Kettle.
JKJ (24), Herlev, Denmark
May 29, 2009 bottle 2006. Dark brown color with big creamy head. Very pleasant sweet aroma. Nicely balanced flavors of dark fruit, caramel, chocolate and spices. Alcohol is hidden very well. This is a great beer.
Bockyhorsey (2487), Mesa, Arizona, USA
May 26, 2009 Vintage 2006. Bottle from Styles. Sweet candy and licorice aroma. Murky brown body with tan head that formed a cover on top of body of beer that lasted throughout the beer with some sediment floaters. Good hardy candy flavor with a touch of spice and the beer has a thick body texture. Smooth on the palate with a sweet candy film that lingers on the palate. Good stuff!!!
frankenkitty (1900), Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA
May 25, 2009 Vintage 2006. Pours a deep, mahogany/brown under a slightly fizzy yet slow-fading ecru head. Slight evidence of sandy silty particulate through the darkness of the body. Grapey, vinous aroma with a low vinegar note. More fruits emerge next with cherry, pear & prune alongside sweet caramel and bready yeasts. Incredibly rich, sweet flavor with a strong (almost numbing) spice profile to keep it from cloying. Malts and yeast fight valiantly against harsh, cloven spicing. Full and fluffy in the mouth, low astringence. Flavor retention is fantastic, this can be sipped and savored slowly over a long period of time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11.2 oz. bottle purchased over a year ago from West Lakeview Liquors, Chicago, IL.
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