t IJ (Scharrel) IJwit

The final brew in the ’t IJ tryptich I had with my friend, IJwit, was not my favorite. The body like most witbiers was hazy but golden as wheat fields and topped of a creamy foam that bubbled at the center. The nose is more complex than one would expect for the style with the familiar wet straw, wheat, grain and coriander aromas initially dominating. A surprising fishy odor of salmon in lemon cream sauce emerges and is supported by the fruity sweet background of pineapple, peach and brown sugar. In flavor, the IJwit disappoints leaving a bland straw flavor on the tongue. With some effort, pepper, orange peel and chalk become noticeable, however the watery palate left me longing for something a bit more robust. I can imagine that it would be a tasty summer beer after an athletic effort but it doesn’t top my witbier list.

Bottle. Pale yellow orange in color with a nice lacing. Fruity citrusy yeasty aroma. Coriander. Fruity citrusy yeasty flavor. Smooth tasting. Coriander. Malty. Banana notes. Interesting. Finish is sweet. Very nice beer. Drinkable. Enjoyable.

Bottle brought home from the brewery tap in Amsterdam. I found this generally to be a little disappointing. A heavy Wit (due to abv), but the stronger feel makes this a little harsh and artifical in places. Some eggs, wheat, metal and even paving slab. Felt like a cold shrug from an old friend.

Bottle. Heavy aroma of green apples, raspberries and orange juice. Nice pillowy head on top a pale golden beer. Flavor is very, very smooth and with a taste that reminds me of fresh scones(krydderboller). As you sip the beer some lactic acid unveils itself and makes this beer even more refreshing and enjoyable. Ends with a spicy graininess and very light bitterness, which is unlike the rather unpleasant sharp bitterness that sometimes is found in beers from this brewery. Nice smooth texture and just a tad too carbonated for my likings (but still less than usual for wits
Has all the qualities of good wheat beer without any of the bad things. A real gem! - I just wish I was sipping it on a warm summer day instead of a wet and cold December evening four days before Christmas.

Cloudy toasted peach. Vibrant peach and melon aromas, with hints of coriander and orange peel, as well as a hint of mint, herbs and grass. Assertive nose, although I wish it showed less spice and hop, and more Belgian yeast attributes. Banana chip, peach, nectarine and tangerine notes on the initial palate, followed by hints of apple butter and caramel, which melds into subtle orange-like spice, toffee hints and a 5 second hay and spice finish, which slowly fades.

33 cl bottle. Yeast in bottom. Golden colour with a weak fizzy head. Aroma of yeast, dried fruit and some cirtus. Very nice flavour of yeast and citrus, hints ofpears and some sweetness. Overall are very wonderful witbier.

Head is initially small, fizzy, white, mostly diminishing. Body is hazy medium yellow, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (cookie), lightly hoppy (flowers, orange), lightly yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of pear syrup, honey, coriander. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Medium body, velvety texture, lively carbonation. Untraditional aromatics for a witbier...lots of pear and other sweet aspects...but quite enticing. Too sweet in the mouth, although the mouthfeel is very supple. Enjoyable, but not what I expected.

Bottled. Hazy golden, large white head. Aroma from coriander and pomerance. Rather sweet to be a witbier.