t IJ Columbus

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

pretty unremarkable bok. sweet and full and lively but the flavour fails to go anywhere

The body is a medium very cloudy copper with some fast moving bubbles in the tulip glass. The head is large and tight that lasts a long time. The aroma is light balsamic vinegar with some cherries. There is also some rich leather and a little bit of buttery toffee. The taste is dry with slightly oxidized cherries. There is also some black pepper spice that lingers in the finish along with a hint of barnyard. The body is relatively smooth and light for a Belgian strong. A crisp mouthfeel that is somewhat refreshing. A little too dry for the style for my tastes. But at least it is an interesting beer.

Thick molasses-like malt aroma with mild, spicy, flowery hops. Copper coloured with tall white head that recedes slowly to a dense cover. Spicy, herbal hop flavour beneath chewey maltiness. Notes of tropical fruit. Bitterness comes to the fore in the long, dry finish. Smooth and thick in the mouth. Gentle alcohol warming. Low carbonation suits this perfectly. Luxury on the tongue. Bottle enjoyed with MartinT and Rastacouere at Spuyten Duyvil (Brooklyn, New York).

Bottle 7/04: Golden hue with a large fluffy head and good lace, I got a lot of floaties due to a quick pour. The aroma has notes of sour apple and brett, barnyard yeast ester, caramelized and bready malts, a touch of belgian candi sugar, and sublime clove and maybe some corriander. The taste starts quite balanced between sugary sweetness and twangy fruit sour character. A nice moderately spiced and subdued but noticeable bitter finish, a bit woody as well. The feel is lively and mostly crisp, dry upon the finish. Overall a nice brew but not something I would likely buy again, I would drink it if offered to me. Worth a try if you like Belgian Strong Ales.

Bottle. High fluffy but lasting off-white head. Haxy orange body. Grassy and hoppy aroma with a hint of nuts. Fruity (mainly oranges) well catbonated and hoppy flavor. Long bitter hops aftertaste.

9% on label. Poured a hazy light amber color with a medium off white head. Aroma of toffee, spice, light sugar notes and hints of leather. There even seems to be a little mint in there. Light tartness on the fruity flavor. Mild spice on the back of the tongue.

It was skunked. I received it in July and did not consume it until September. But a bottle condition smelling like late day barn? Hold your nose, and everything else is a bit above average. If there are lingonberries there, that sure assisted the smell. Orange color and orange-citrus fruit, foaming and decent yeast, malty and strong carbonation.

Light orange gold color, slightly cloudy. Big sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity and sweet, banana and cloves. Nice lacing. A medium bodied Belgian Strong Ale. Malts are fruity and sweet, lots of banana and clove esters. Nice bright yeasts. Smooth taste. Lots of all those flavors that you would expect in a Belgian ale; pepper, banana, orange, peaches etc. Nice solid beer. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.