t IJ Columbus

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

This bottled brew poured a large sized head of frothy fine to large sized mostly lasting bubbles that left behind a very hazy yeasty brown colored body with suspended carbonation and a good lacing. The aroma was vinous yeasty malty and dusty. The mouth feel was tingly and smooth initially then mellowed in its lingering smooth slightly tingly finish. It had a mild vinous brown malt flavor.

My sample was undeniably sour and possibly infected, because after looking at other ratings, I am convinced something was wrong with mine. But notice the score. I liked it, a lot. Orange color with a monstrous rocky head. Orval-like nose, with fresh fruits and flowers, along with an enormous funky horseblanket whiff. Oily and slick texture, with an alcoholic edge. Leathery yeast about, with horseblanket and light fruits galore. While Orval is bone dry, this is very sweet, but, at least my sample, was very Orval-like. And since I love Orval, I thought this was quite nice.

A Mes Rate: Quite unusual stuff this one. Dark cloudy amber body that is with you until you finish. Very yeasty nose and not that great for it i.m.o. A few oranges thrown in there too to make it a touch more pleasant. Orange and other citric tropicals fruits in the flavour topped off with yet more yeast and a touch of spice. Slightly sweet and the alcohol is clearly present but not too offensive. Finish is dry leaving behind a chunky and fruity aftertaste. Erm... not bad

Bottled. A hazy amber coloured beer with a reddish hue and an avalanche of a head. The aroma is yeasty, fruity and spicy. The taste is typical of a Belgian Strong with spices, alcohol and yeasty characteristics. Nicely full-bodied. Good stuff from a brewery I like.

<font face="times new roman">A gentle dollop of whipped cream floats upon a prismatic beer. Shades as light as straw gold and as deep as hazy amber are all possible hues. A young boy sits behind his father’s horse barn. He’s hiding in the tall, unmowed hay, stealing a moment away from his chores for a bit of a snack. Wheat bread with cracked pepper mustard and lemonade. Champagne and caviar it’s not, but he never goes for that sort of thing. He wonders for a moment if the mushrooms at his feet are edible but his mind quickly wanders elsewhere. Basic sustenance -- pineapples and grapefruits with sugar are his favorites -- a good day’s work and a leather bound journal to contain his world…those are all he needs. Firm sweetness, sharp acidity and a smidgen of alcohol yield to a pleasantly fruity and dry finish. A fluffily carbonated and full body leaves a sticky aftertaste of rich mineral water. A little care in the pour goes a long way.
0,33l bottle, goblet.</font>

Bottle. Large ivory head that was mostly lasting, fine-small sized bubbles, fair lacing, yesty, hazy, and an orange brown hue. Aroma was malty and spicy. Flavor was viinuous, spicy, malty and some caramel. Smooth mouthfeel. Medium body.

This is a hazy amber drink with a creamt light tan head and plenty of yeast particles drifting about. The aroma is a bready malt filled with light juicy fruits (cherry, plum, et cetera) and a heaping dosage of alcohol. Unfortunately, the latter dominates the flavor, although a sweet malt and fruity acidity manage to squeeze through to a small degree. The finish is fruity and alcoholic. Decent enough, I s’pose.

Murky amber color with a medium head. Bready aroma. A basic, malty brew with some alcohol notes on the end. A bit on the thin side.