Struise Pannepot

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

Small 330 ml bottle (2007) from Cracked Kettle. Simply beautiful appearance: dark brown with a beige, large bubbly head leaving a small. steady espresso head as it quite rapidly dissipates. Definitely some milk chocolate in the aroma but also some sourness, apples and some strong notes of herbs, nuts, figs and an undertone of alcohol. Roasted, sweet malts and coffee are strong in the flavor as well as nuts, some mild sourness (apples) and spices. A subtle burn of alcohol and a lovely dry, roasted maltiness in the aftertaste. Quite full yet well-carbonated in the palate, actually the contrast is quite nice. Definitely a tasty beer, but to be honest, not as fantastic as I expected. Maybe Pannepot Reserva will fill my expectations fully.

(330ml 2007 bottle) Pours an opaque dark chocolate brown. Nice light brown bubbly head, there are always bubbles around as I drink this one. Nose is milk chocolate, dried figs, spices and cinnamon and maybe some sweet crackers. Very complex. Taste is slight sour dried fruits, unsweetened chocolate, very carbonated and creamy. Palette finish is the best part of this beer, it’s not too sweet but towards the end the alcohol is becoming more and more apparent and I think it is overcarbonated. A great Quad/Strong, but maybe just shy of a top 50 beer for me.

Shared bottle from 2007. Pours dark, dark brown with a minimal bubbly head. Strong aroma of herbs, spices, and roasted malt. Taste is complex and spicy with a nice blend of dark fruits and some heavy hitting overpowering alcohol. I think I tasted this a little too warm, and 11oz. does not go far split 3 ways. I enjoy what I had, so I will have to try this again soon!

Pours a very dark mahoganey color with a giant tan creme color head that persists. Looks great. Nose is muted nutty fudge, red grapes, malt vinegar, and dark brown sugar. Taste is very subtle and elegant. Notes of artificial grape, baked brownies, molasses, jelly sweet rolls, faint smoke, bit of sour something, and tootiesie roll. Medium thick mouthfeel with some bubbles and a long haunting finish. This is the definition of old world beer. Well done.

Nice dark tasteful colour, dark herbal smell. Strong fruity taste, spicy after. Really deserves its high ratings.

Bottle pours deep purple with thin quick disapating tan head. Aroma is dark fruits and a little alcohol. First taste is sweet dark fruits then a little alcohol burn. The alcohol is well hidden with the aging and deep flavors.

Bottle, 2007 Vintage. Simply amazing beer! I’ve sampled this one several times and finally got around to rating it. Beautiful nose of plums, licorice and spice Taste of port, figs,raisins and spice. Finish very smooth. Love it.

Finally found one 2007 vintage: Poured dark brown and smelled wonderful of sweet toasty malts with some spice. Flavor was sweet but not cloying and spice and fruity (raisans). Very very pleasant and enjoyfully alcoholic.