Struise Pannepot

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

Bottled. Finally got around to sampling this. In essence, this is what craft beer is meant to be. The hardy, earthy flavours of years side-by-side with faintly sticky, sugary candy notes, as well as slight notes of gingerbread and espresso. A lingering sourness that only shows up after you swallow. Amazingly thick, luxurious body. Not how I’d want all my beers to taste, but it’s an impressive accomplishment. Completely hides the alcohol as well.

Bottle(s), at ’t Brugge Beerje and Dickie’s Grillhouse in Brugge, and a bottle from the brewery, enjoyed at home. Deep brown, lots of dark tan head that settles down into a dense tan scum, like the sticky layer that forms on ponds in the summer. Intense chocolate liqueur nose, brown sugar, bitter almonds, sugar snap peas, corriander. Warm chocolate flavor, brownies fresh from the oven, calvados, dried figs. Very sweet up front, and even a fair dose of leathery sweetness in the finish, but without being sticky. If this is the beer of fisherman, bring on the fishing.

12 oz. bottle - huge thanks to after4ever for breaking this out when he I said I had yet to try it (or any Struise for that matter); pours deep brown with thick tan head; just about as good a nose as you’re going to get - sweet fruits, dates, caramel; body and texture are equally as impressive; creamy and lingering sweet aftertaste, sweetness is the name of the game here, but it’s not overwhelming; OMG, thanks tom!!!

Chestnut with a light brown head. Malty sweet, earthy candi sugar aroma reminds me of Rochefort 10. Smooth and lightly carbonated. Nice burnt caramel/toffee flavor with some earthy spices that i can’t place. Has a lingering burnt, brown sugar earthiness. It’s like eating a perfectly toasted campfire marshmellow. Worthy of praise.

2006 bottle. Pours a deep brown with a big tan head. Lots of heavy lacing. Aroma of fruit (grapes/wine and plums), spice, caramel, and light alcohol. Taste is very nice with a little more spice. A great belgian ale. Finish is very smooth with a good balance of moderate carbonation, alcohol, and spice. Glad I was able to trade for this; thanks mcbackus!

Pours a dark brown with a very thick tan head. Nice aroma of dark fruit, caramel, and some spices. Seems very creamy and hides the 10% very well. I thought it was much better then the Rochefort 10 I had earlier tonight. Very good.

Pours a dark reddish brown color with a dreamy off-white head and streams of lacing. Aroms is dark fruit, caramel, toffee, grape. Taste is about the same, with maybe a hint of chocolate. Very complex but a great sipper that hides the alcohol well.

Trade from Ross, thanks man! Pours a dark brown color with light brown creamy head. Aroma is dark fruit, molassess, caramel, allspice, nutmeg and anise. Taste is the same with more of the dark fruit and belgian spice showing through. It’s creamingly smooth with little evidence alcohol. This is right up there with Rochefort 10.