t IJ Columbus

Brewed by Brouwerij ’t IJ
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Amsterdam, Netherlands

Hazy deep golden pour. huge rocky white head, good retention. Lacing is daunting. Aroma has a ton of the requisite ’t IJ funk (light barnyard and wet hay), bold spicy hops(grassy), flowerbed and weizenbock elements(banana, clove). Very yeasty nose, very sharp and full. Musty nuances surround this complex aroma. Flavor shines as well, pounding the corners of my mouth like a funky cloud. Additions include more citrus fruitiness and a looming caramel taste. Light to moderate bitterness and medium sweetness. Finishes sweet and then dry and hoppy. Palate is highly carbonated, medium bodied, average overall. Quite flavorful and extremely unique, more or less exactly what I expect from this brewery.

Bottle. Clear golden colour (with seditives) with beautifull frothy lasting head. Amazing levels of fruity acidity in the aroma. Yeasty flavor. Lasting finish. Really a well made beer.

bottle @ lowander, creechurch lane. Bright orange amber w/ dense cream head fading to a nice lace. Wonderful aroma of spiced pumpkin, cinnamon and spiced apple with pineapple notes. Taste is a bit of a let down after the aroma - it’s not very full on flavour. Blood orange, alcohol, spice, yeast and unsweetened bitter lemon tea. Finish lacks the warming alcohol that should accompany a 9%. Prickly mouthfeel b/c of the fine carbonation. Similar to Smisje Halloween.

Bottle from the Cracked Kettle, Amsterdam. Lovely cloudy, golden ale with a large firm head. The first sip puzzles me. What is this? An explosion of flavour. Fruit - apples, pears and oranges. Spice - nutmeg, corander and cinnamon. Hoppy fruitiness with a cider-like dry finish. All these elements blend superbly into each other. Amazing.

Pours deep amber into a tulip. Fuffy off-white head meringues and volcanoes on surface. Tangy lemon/orange aromas. Smooth sweet caramel with an off-bandaid lasting spicy finish.

Tap at Gollem, march 07. Shinny, hazy, golden-yellow color and a fine, creamy white head. Spicy, coriander, peppery with a slight alcoholic hint. Medium to light MF with a dry, spicy ending. Spicy aroma with a strange lactic touch. A nice, spicy, sipping tripple.

Date on bottle is Sept 2002. Very cloudy amber orange with a moderate head, good lacing and retention. Aroma is slightly oxidized but has notes of spices, various fruits, caramel, with a hint of funked fruit. Interesting stuff. Medium bodied, alcohol hidden well. Tasty.

Fynske Øldage 2005, Odense. Golden with a nice head. Mouthfeel is oily. Both aroma and flavour is deliciously complex with notes of caramel, fruit, flower, spice. sweetness, alcohol and a nice bitterness. A nice one!!