 Heathen (492), Riverside, New Jersey, USA
Jul 15, 2008
THOUGHTS: I was like a Berliner Weisse, a belgian ale and a Flemish Sour had a baby. It’s always nice to find something this different and this good. It was sorta like Rodenbach Light. This was my first Struise and now I need to find another.
TECHNICAL: Bottle. Poured a cloudy, dark yellow or very light yellow with great carbonation and an almost non existent, white head that just kept a ring around the glass, but somehow still left fair lacing. The aroma was sour fruit like apple or peach, some spices and just a hint of funk. The initial flavor was lightly sweet, moderately acidic, and sour; while the finish was moderate to heavily acidic and very sour, or better yet tart with an average duration in flavor although the dryness hangs on for a while. There was mostly sour fruitiness, light fruits and slight, if any, funk. The light to medium body was very dry with sorta soft carbonation and a light astringent and dry finish. The finish is so dry it made me wanna just keep sippin’.
Rastacouere (5258), Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Aug 20, 2008 Objectively speaking:
Classy and highly refreshing, vinous Belgian ale.
I like:
Exquisite juicy body with classy gueuze-like carbonation. Complex funky nose remains elegant. Very well integrated brett. Growing sourness. Excellent dryness level, keeping just a touch of residual sugars. Lovely cider notions.
I dislike:
An unexpected alcoholic touch removes a bit from the drinkability, though it brings the vinous side even farther. A bit heavy on the minerals. Quickly fading head.
MrChopin (155), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Hazy gold with a decent-sized, foamy white head. Nose is strong and wonderful, with sweet berries and some spices of a tripel, yet it also has the tart, dusty, acidic elements of a gueuze. Wow is that juicy. Flavor is little watery, but it contains tart lemon and apple skin, a little cheese, and minor dust. It’s not quite as bracing as many sours or gueuzes I’ve had, yet as is the case with all Struise beers I’ve tasted, there’s an unmistakable touch that permeates the beer, making it unique to the last. In in this case, a smooth, spiced sour that’s 110% refreshing,
hellbilly (837), scottsdale über alles, Arizona, USA
Aug 16, 2008 pours a hazy pale orange with a small white head that fades quickly to a ring. the aroma makes my mouth water... minerals, bretty stink, lacto sourness, watered down apple cider, wood, grass, savory yeast and floral qualities. the flavor is green apple tart, light yeast, pale malt and a spicy finish... rather uneventful. medium to full bodied. low carbonation makes it smooth but somewhat dead on the palate. feels like it’s missing something...
Bov (4604), Bienne, Switzerland
Aug 14, 2008 courtesy of Pascal Sauser - hazy golden-orange colour; fast vanishing foam; aroma of apple and vinegar, pineapple and some undefined spices; some grilled almonds too; medium-bodied with a solid sourness; long sourish and quite dry fruity finish - very good beer
Avengedpoet (21), Arizona, USA
Aug 13, 2008 Pours a very hazy yellow with a minimal head. Smell is distinctly of lemons and grapefruit mixed with some trademark barnyard funk, though 85% of the aroma is lemon (aroma gets high marks for being that unique). Taste is overwhelmingly lemon, and surprisingly thin. Very dry on the palate. Reminiscent of Fantome Hiver. Relatively un-complex and somewhat of a letdown, though not un-enjoyable.
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