Struiselensis

Brewed by De Struise Brouwers
Style: Sour Ale/Wild Ale
Oostvleteren, Belgium

Serve in Snifter, Tulip, Tumbler

Thanks to mcbackus for this - cloudy blonde beer, with a small ring of lace - well-developed brett funk in the aroma, with a lot of musky character, slightly apple-ish acidic smells, a faint hint of sweetness underneath - very lively carbonation in the mouth - this, coupled with the dryness and moderate acidity gives it a very champaign-like feel - medium gueuze-ish funk - white wine grape fruitiness - what sweetness there may once have been has completely dried out - light, refreshing, and well-balanced - why is this not listed as a sour ale?

11.2oz bottle purchased at John’s Grocery in Iowa City. Poured a clear light orange-golden color. Head was fizzy, white, and reduced over a minute or so to a lasting thin film. The aroma was reminiscent of sour apple juice with whiffs of cider vinegar and spices (kind of nutmeg-ish). Imagine a funky mulled cider, but cold-ish. Mild to moderate acidity up front which mellowed gradually and gave way to some sweetness. Relatively light bodied with moderate carbonation. I tasted funky apple juice, champaign, and subdued berries. Very fruity. Pretty good stuff.

Clear amber, very little head. Strawberry(?) aroma, some brett. Very assertive sourness, lemon, mandarin oranges, light background hopping, brett. Feels akin to a sweetened gueuze but without the sweetness, in that it is slightly syrupy. Despite appearances, manages a lively and almost spritzy MF. Mouthwatering and borderline fantastic.

Bottle. Sour, spicey candy aroma. Orange body with no head to speakof flat no carbination. Sour and tart flavor to start with. Near the middle turned into surgar candy and laquered the palate with sourness. Filling brew as the sugary candy aftertaste lingers.

Pours a cloudy orange with a very thin head, leaves a little lace around the glass. Aroma is funk, cider, citrus, and grapes. Flavor is sour, a little sweetness hiding in there. Dry. Interesting dance on the tounge.

11.2 oz bottle. Courtesy of mbackus. Pours a hazy orange, with a decent but quickly dissipating white head. Aroma is very tart with cherry and apple, hints of clove and some other spices (ginger perhaps?). Taste is very much like drinking a very good sour apple cider. Alcohol is non existant carbonation is perfect and there is a very very light cheese aftertaste. A incredibly tasty and refreshing brew and another winner from Struise.

UPDATED: JUN 4, 2008 Bottle, courtesy CaptainCougar. Caramel color pour, frothy white head, and a tremendous amount of lacing. Chalky tartness in the nose, some exotic fruit, and a tremendous barnyard feel overall. Big musky tartness in the mouth. Sour hits first, followed by some refreshing cider. The carbonation is just lovely. Very refreshing, balanced and easy to drink. Not exactly sure of the style but meh, who cares, it’s delicious.

Glass: Trappist Purchased at: Canal’s Discount Liquors, Burlington, NJ (Thanks, Mike!) Price: $6.64 Size: 11.2 fl oz ABV: 6% IBU: n/a Estimated Calories: 150 C RateBeer Rating: 95 Aural: gentle opening, light carbonation, quiet pour Aroma 8 out of 10 Intensity: middle Balance: sweet Impression: nice Malt Flavor: grain bread sweet toast Hops Flavor: floral herbal spice Other: fruit Notes: A nice aroma - definitely in the Belgian style. Appearance 4 out of 5 Color: amber copper Clarity: hazy Head Retention: poor Notes: An interesting looking body, but no head whatsoever. Flavor 8 out of 10 Intensity: strong Balance: sour Impression: surprising Malt Flavor: grain bread sweet toast Hops Flavor: dirt floral citrus Other: sour cherry, peach, kiwi, lime Notes: An interesting flavor - this should be served colder than this. Palate 4 out of 5 Mouthfeel Sensation: slick Body: light Carbonation: faint Finish Length: medium Intensity: medium Balance: sour Notes: Definitely the sort of beer Mike from Canal’s would enjoy, though I’m not as much of a fan of sour beers. It’s interesting, but not really my thing. Noticed that it has a salivating effect on me in the finish. Weird. General Impression: 15 out of 20 Craftmanship: interesting Freshness: fresh Personal Taste: liked. Notes: This was an experience I was glad to try, but I really prefer extreme beers to this kind of subtlety, beautiful though it is. Address : <http://beercritic.wordpress.com/>