Struise Rosse

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Bottle from Burg Bieren. Hazy dark orange colour, off-white head. Nose is sour, malty, yeasty, bit of candy sugar. Flavour is malty, yeasty and a bit of fruits. Medium carbonation. Sour finish.

33 cl bottle @ home (2010 - BBE 09-13). Pours a nice red, hazy color, not much head, small blanket remaining. Upon opening the bottle the smell is sour, in the glass there is still a remaining sign of infection - was this supposed to be a sour ale? I didn’t think so - retronasal aroma is a bit sour and a bit malty, with some sweet fruit and herbs. Flavor is sweetish and sourish. Rather full bodied for 6%. Finishes dry and lightly bitter. Perhaps I had a bad bottle, but this is definitely below Struise standards.

Bottle: 2011: Medium vast light creme yellow-ish head on top of a deep dark light hazy red brown colored beer. Smell malts, sweets, grains, barleys, hint of nuts, caramel, sweets. Taste is a vast mix of malts, barleys, liquorice, caramel, toasted malts, (roasted) wood, herbs and hints of sweets and yeast. Soft bitter nice malty herb barley aftertaste. Low carbo, soft silky mouthfeel, medium to fuller body and a (light) oily texture.

2008 bottle, pouyrs amber with thick white head. Initial lactic sour aroma that gives way to toffee apples and candyfloss. A complex flavour, sour at first, then sweet and a little smoky. Medium carbonation and a lovely mouthfeel on drinking. The sourness returns in the finish.

Bottle at Brewdog bar, Aberdeen. It pours amber with a red hue and a thin foamy white head. The nose is fruity red berry, candy floss, forest and pine. The taste is red fruit: sweet cherry, strawberry, raspberry, as well as grass and caramel. It is initially quite sweet, leading to light bitterness in the finish. It is an easy-drinking light and fruity Belgian ale.

330 ml bottle. 2008 version.
Pours a hazy dark orange colour with a foamy head. Aroma of dried fruits with mild coriander notes. Flavour of slightly toasted caramel malts, slightly sour dried fruits and coriander. Light/medium bodied with a thin mouthfeel and a refreshing, slightly dry finish. Summery brew.

Saboreada el 03/05/11. Copa Túlipa. Colo rojo anaranjado. Nublada. Corona fugaz blanca amarillenta, burbuja grande. Encaje fugaz igualmente. Aromas de césped húmedo, fruta verde y sutiles notas de levadura. Suave acidez en el primer sorbo. Sabor afrutado y ligeramene agrio que permanece en el retrogusto. Sabor bastante bien equilibrado pero un poco pesada. Carbonatación correcta. La tome con gambitas saladas y ensalada de pasta.Enjoyed on 05/03/11. Tulip glass. Orangish red in color. Foggy. Brief yellowish white head, big bubbles. Brief lacing too. Wet grass, green fruit & subtle yeast aroma. Smooth tartar first sip. Fruity & mildy sour taste. Sour aftertaste too. Fairly well balanced flavor but a little fat mouthfeel. Correct carbonation. Drinkable at cold temperature. I had salted shrimp & pasta salad with it.

33 cL bottle from the Struise Yeast Shop online, expiry September 2011, served in a tulip. Pours hazy amber with a tall, dense tan head. The head fades slowly to a thin cover and leaves a small amount of lace. The nose is intensely fruity with notes of apple and sour cherry, along with caramel and yeast. The flavour is unusual, mostly dry with sour cherry. As it progresses, its sourness grows and lingers through the finish. On the palate, it is medium in body with a smooth, creamy texture and soft carbonation. If the sour character was intended, I am not certain that it works. It reminds me of a cask cider. Interesting, but not one of their better brews. 2011-04-29