’t IJ Struis

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

BCA (from Bitter Virtue, BB Dec 06). Malty nutty caramel start with raisin and plummy fruit. Slight coriander and fruityness from the yeast. Just a little bit too sweet in the mouth with nothing to balance this making for a slightly cloyinh finish.

UPDATED: APR 8, 2007 4/07 Re-rate: Numbers bumping up. This time the aromas and flavors came through better, more balanced: grapes and apples, coriander, significant floral touch, spicey, yeasty and dry, leathery (even a touch of that brett / burnt rubber taste I get in some gueuzes) finish. Original rating: Poured a reddish brown color with a large head that wouldn’t fit in one pour. In fact, this was one of those bottles that just exploded upon opening, making a big mess for the unsuspecting opener. Aroma was of caramel and spices. The flavor was caramel, toffee, brown sugar, and candied apples. Finishes with a light spicey bitter touch, keeping it from being too cloying or sugared. Reminded me of the N’Ice Chouffe I had: good, but nothing to long for. Mouthfeel was moderately bodied with significant carbonation.

UPDATED: AUG 8, 2007 Draft glass
Consumed at ’t IJ, Amsterdam, May 2006
Golden dark red color, mostly murky in appearance with a thin, filmy head. Full of suspended yeast on the draft pour. Aged quad-like scent of dates, nuts and maple. Very sweet up front, rose and tulip flavors, slight alcohol noticed. Semi-prickly texture, light compared to most strong Belgians. At times there’s a bit of a foul vegetable aroma.

Sheesh. Possibly one of the worst beers from this region I’ve ever had. Everything seemed to be off with this beer. I was really expecting much more. Aroma was vegetative. Appearance wasn’t bad. Flavor was malty sweet. I have another bottle of this, so I will have to re-rate. I think the bottle was bad.

This beer was hearty, thick and fresh, but it should have been fresh because I was drinking it in the same town as it is brewed. I had no idea of its strength at the time but it sure explains why the rest of the night is kind of hazy after a full day of drinking. I would definitely appreciate another sampling of this with fresh tastebuds.

Bottled. Murky, dark mahogany color. Sweet malty aroma with a very sweet flavor as well. Slightly hot. A bit confusing.

Pours a hazy, copperish brown with a large fine-bubble tan head. Unique aroma with a lot of pineapple, candy smarties, spiced apples, and caramel. Plenty of spices dominate the aroma along with tropical fruits Mmmm, the spices give it a very complex, delicous taste The initial malty and yeasty flavors slowly melt into a spicy, tasty medicine-like finish. There’s something about this beer that leaves you wanting more and more after every taste. This is exactly what I would expect from an Amsterdam beer. It’s rich, creamy, smooth, and leaves your taste buds tingling. An explosion of dark fruit and spices in the flavor along with a funky yeast taste that can only be described as Amsterdam at it’s best, makes this beer a very special one.

Bottle at Delirium Cafe. Poured bronw with ruby red notes. Medium beige head. Caramel, malt aroma similar to the Feuillien I just had. Short lived malty flavor with some grass notes poking through. Alcohol is well hidden. Watery finish.