’t IJ Struis

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Pours lovely... bronze from the bottle to mahogany in the glass, with a mild fizz before a small, cream colored head which reduces to a Christo-esque island surrounded by film. Yeast and malt dominate the aroma with yellow cheeses and taffy and mustiness. Over time, she reveals more defined cheesish yeasts, Parmesan, cheddar, feta. Mid-bodied with a sticky note to the palate. Flavor finds a berry-touched maltiness alongside tart, mildly funked-out yeastiness, finishing with a sugary kicker that proves to be one of this beer’s few flaws. Overall, tasty & satisfying. ~~~~~~~ Purchased June 2007 (Oliver’s Beverage, Albany, NY)... consumed March, 2009.

330 ml bottle. Dark brown body with a small beige head. Aroma of dark malt, some caramel, hint of dark fruit and a bit spicy. Flavor is medium sweet malty with caramel, dry fruit and moderate hoppy. I think this is my favorite from Brouwerij ’t IJ

Bottle: I swear I have never had so many beers that gush on opening as t’ IJ beers. Most of these end up all over my floor. This one followed suit as the previous. Gushed a hazy orange brown with a huge lacing beige head. Aroma is fruit and yet also a sweet caramel or toffee. Taste is sweet and fruit, but very medicinal, leads me to believe it is a bit infected.

Bottle at home. Sweet aroma and flavour, marshmallow like. Citrusy, grassy and sweet. Hoppy. Marsapin finish. Warms at the end. Nice. Alchol is well-hidden.

Thanks to Solan for this bottle!! Near Perfect 10. Hazy burnt orange pour and a fluffy light tan head that slowly settles to a 1/2 in film. Phenolic nose. Lots of barleywine similarities that are overshadowed by notable hints of bubblegum, orange, and more phenolic properties

Bottle. Brown with a large off-white head. Aromas are yeast and berries with chocolate and bubblegum. Some liquorice herbal notes with sweet toffee. Flavours are chocolate and molasses. Bready yeast and berries with citrus and some liquorice. Good.

Dark pour with a good sized head. Some fruit and touches of spice on the aromas. Dark fruit and molasses. Flavor had more hops than the aromas. But mostly malt and sweet finish. Pretty good

Bottle. Dark amber/brown beer with a strong head. The aroma is fruity and mildly spiced, and the flavour is fruity, slightly sour and weakly spiced. Overall an average beer.