Struise Tsjeeses Reserva (Oak Aged)

Formerly brewed at De Struise Brouwers
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Oostvleteren, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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What a difference with the "normal" tsjeeses. Cloudy dark amber, lasting creamy beige head. The oak is really prominently present in the taste, which makes this far more interesting than most other winterbeers!

Aroma of applesauce, grapes, and slight cinnamon. Strong nose. Pours super hazy with a big frothy head. Super big. Tastes sweet of wheat, slight floral, and just a hint of spices. Solid Belgian. Reminds me of a good champagne.

Rating 3800. Bottle at De Kelk in Brugge. Served in a 18" chalice. Very hazy brown/amber with floaties. Fruit aromas. Maybe a touch of wood. Full bodied with creamy carbonation. Mild oak flavor with lots of fresh fruit. Touch of heat. Very smooth - almost vinous. Finishes towards bitter, and surprisingly dry. Flavors linger on. Really good.

750ml bottle at London tasting, May 2008. BBE 12 December 2012. Many thanks to Mes for this one. Poured a rather murky orange colour but I think I got the last sample so I’ll forgive it that. Massive aroma - estery fruit, tangy hops, subtle spices, some vinous woody touches and even a suggestion of volatile Airfix glue. Not too much vanilla, which is fine by me as I often find oak aged beers have just too much vanilla for my taste. Taste is pretty much like the aroma - bags of sharp fruit. Robust body with a pleasant sweet (but not too sweet) and sour (but not too sour) mouthfeel. Oak aging frequently seems to me a bit of a gimmick, too often failing to add anything worthwhile to the underlying beer, but that is not the case here. The woody element combines with the fruity character together seamlessly. A beautifully crafted beer in very respect.

Bottle, 10.0%. Gusher. Yeasty aroma, good maltiness underneath. Dark orange colour, lots of yeast floating around. Small stable white head. The flavour is sweet, quite fruity with some dried fruit, apricot comes to mind as so often before. There is also some yeast to the flavour, but not a problem here. The finish is peppery and with a distinct bitterness.

Bottle. Sweet peach, apple, milk caramel and alcohol aroma. Cloudy orange amber color with thin head. Sweet, smooth orange, apricot, and creamy malt flavor. Finishes with a combination of alcohol burn and oak. Much lower acidity than in many tripels. A pleasure to drink.

Bottle at De Kelk. This orange ale poured into a Tjseeses glass with a foamy beige head and an apricot aroma. The flavor is almost undescribable, but I’ll try. Fruity, thick, spicy, caramel malt, oak. Overall, delicious.

Bottle from Timfoolery, Pours a cloudy light brown and smells of sweet candy. Tasted of dark fruits, carmel and other sweet malty goodness. Nice and easy on the palate. Didn’t notice the 10% ABV until I started to feel the buzz.

Bottle. Probably at WeeHeavy’s. Sweet. flowery aroma. Really cool aroma. Easy to drink. Great aroma.

The bottle looks great as well as the beer in the glass. Orange-brown, a bit cloudy, nice head. Starts strong but not alcoholic. Very spicy from the beginning with notes of christmas spices, cinnamon, nuts and ginger snap. Also fruity notes of raisins. Very well balanced warming finish. An awesome brew!