Struise Pannepot

Brewed by De Struise Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Oostvleteren, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

2007. Wow. After trying a couple of other beers in the Pannepot family, I was beginning to wonder what the hype was about, but this beer is truly awesome. It pours a deep brown, almost black, with hints of red. A persistent tan head tops it off. The aroma is quite sweet - caramel, roast, maple syrup, leather, apricot and plum. The flavor is even more impressive, and changes shape several times after taking a sip. First a wave of malty, dark fruit sweetness hits, followed by the tang of red wine, and finally chocolate and the tiniest hint of booze in the finish. Thick, creamy body. This is the first beer I’ve tried that I might call a successful stout/belgian strong crossover, though the belgian characteristics dominate. Truly outstanding. The best beer I’ve had in a while.

Bottle. A must have brew. Tons if sour, cocoa, graham, vanilla, dark fruits up in this brew. So money and one of the best strong ales.

UPDATED: MAR 17, 2010 Wow this beer just makes you want to sit back relax and contemplate. A superb beer. Lovely bubbly creamy head poured into trappist style glass from 33cl bottle bought with many thanks from BeerMerchants.com A very heavy full bodied tar texture; reminiscent of Rochefort. Complex aroma of dried fruits, marzepan and spices. Can taste roasted malts; caramel, licroish, dried fruits and figgs. Similar to Rochefort in complexity. Please kids don’t down this baby. It’s a cool slow long one. Maximum respect for De Struise. Awesome mouth feel and very balanced despite the complexity. I can hint brown sugar too. WOW. I need a De Struise glass.

UPDATED: JAN 11, 2010 Another fantastic beer from Struise. I prefer the 2007 version than the 2008 one. Spicy with dark fruits flavors. Onctuous and easy to drink.

2007 vintage. Pours a deep dark red brown, almost black with an nice thick beige head. Aroma is fruity and floral, roasted malts and caramels, candy and spices. Flavors of roasted malts, molasses, coffee, black chocolate, some dry fruits like raisins and plums, and a good note of earth like oak. Good carbonation with a sweet and sourness finish. A persistant earthy oak taste lasting in mouth with a touch of liqueur. Extremely complex and well ballance, warm heavy beer. To drink very slowly, such a wonderful bevarage.

Una volta ho bevuto una bottiglia del 2006 ke assomigliava a una westvleteren 12!! grandissima birra!

Pours very very dark brown, almost black. Small beige head. Malty aroma, slightly sweet taste, hints of coffee and chocolate. Very complex palate. Very very very good beer that one could easily rank among the world’s best beers!

UPDATED: FEB 16, 2011 Bottle split with Pat. Bottle. Pours deep, deep brown, with a nice beige head. Aroma of raisins, candy apple, scotch, vinegar, malts, yeast, and caramel. Medium body with a warming finish. This beer is extremely well balanced; with flavors perfectly complementing one another.