’t IJ Struis

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Cloudy brown colour, tan head. Aroma had caramel and dark fruits. Flavour is of dried fruits, malts and some caramel. Very nice!

330 ml bottle. Leiden, the Netherlands.
Murky brown colour with tiny off-white head. Aroma: Chocolate, molasses, sweet malt and spices. Flavour: Dubbel like sweetish malt, mild bitter hops and spices. Alcohol well hidden. Quite fizzy. Decent.

UPDATED: APR 20, 2004 Re rate, same batch. Bottle conditioned, BBE 0103. Ruby red brown, good creamy off white head and good condition. Excellent figgy, fruity, woody malt with traces of aniseed, cloves and a degree of pleasant oxidation in the nose. Delightful perfectly judged figgy malt in the mouth, not too sweet and masking the alcohol with ease, some fruity tartnes but in a good way, a suggestion of peaty malt whisky and finally a touch of aniseed coming through as it warms. Long spicy finish with hazlenuts and coconut suddenly appearing, joined by some alcoholic warming and a feeling of general well being. Seems to benefit from a little ageing. Original rating 16/02/03 (8-4-8-4-16)Chestnut-ruby red, thin creamy but lasting head and low condition. Quite complex aromas of nuts, figs and bready yeast carried out on a wave of alcohol. Thin in the mouth for 9%, with some fruity malt and a hint of chocolate and some raisins briefly in the finish before becoming dry

Pours with a frothy, 1 finger thick, light brown head that sits atop a hazy, deeply amber colored brew. The aroma is malty and rich with notes of concentrated, sweet malt extract, a sweet dough like breadiness, along with notes of prunes and figs. To balance the sweet notes there is a baking spice type spiciness here with notes of clove, a hint of nutmeg, perhaps a touch of cinnamon, and even a note of spicy cardamom. The aroma is concentrated and sweet, like a dark holiday sweet bread or even a cake. It is quite the way to end the evening.

The taste has an upfront fruity sweetness that is not too heavy and reminds me of figs, and raisins. There is also a nice backdrop of maltiness here that has notes of caramel, brown sugar, a hint of molasses and a certain fresh, bready quality that reminds me of a sweet spice cake. This beer really has a rich quality to it that is quite satisfying and satiating, though it certainly is not sticky at all, or even too full on the palate. It has just the heft to it to remain drinkable, in fact it is the flavors of this beer, not the thick body, that make this such a savory experience.

<font size=-4>Purchased at: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Place/illinois/chicag Wine & Spirits, Chicago IL<font size=-1>

Huge head on an amber body. Musty. Caramelly/molasses. Vintagey-musty oxidation, but in a good way, with complexity (lots of things to get from this). Bottle bought at brewery.

33cl, Dutch organic brew, from Slijterij van Bergen Eindhoven, complex brew, not too heavy, balanced, cloudy, good head, good brew

Pours to a murky chestnut body with lots of small white/tan particulate. A thin coating tan head with dense lacing sits on top. The aroma is yeasty with tart lemon juice and a nice bready grain. Very house-styled ’t IJ aroma. The flavor is really yeasty with tart pale malt and light lemon and banana. Perhaps some oranges. Lots of earthy yeasts. Doesn’t taste much different as a whole than the other ’t IJ beers. Perhaps something’s lost in translation? :) The palate is carbonated, lightly acidic, and earthy. It grows on me the more I drink it.

Pours deep mahogany into a snifter. Off-white micro head with good retention recedes leaving scant sheets. Dark caramel and anise aromas. Dry with dark pit fruit and licorice. Lasting hot licorice finish.