’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.

Nice appearance with a dark amber hazy body and a creamy head. Caramel-toffee aroma with spicey fruity perfume. Smooth mouthfeel, malty and sweet caramel taste with nuts, cinnamon, fruity notes. Nice beer, i’ve enjoyed it.

Bottle sampled @ Freakin’ Frog, LV. Garnet colored beer with a small tapioca head that left nice ringlets of lacing on the inside of the glass. Aroma is brown sugar, dark fruit, caramel and Belgian yeast. Flavor is toffee, molasses, cherry skin, and biscuit. Also has an almost brett-like sourness which adds to the complexity. Nice mouthfeel and highly drinkable. Really enjoyed this one.

Bottle sampled with Beerded_one. Pours bronze\brown with a large fluffy lasting off-white head. Aroma is floral, citrus, fruit, yeast, and belgian style spices. Flavor is smooth, sweet, floral, citrusy, fruit, spices are present, carbonated. Good body, excellent brew.

Sampled at Gollem in Amsterdam, Holland. Ruddy Brown. The nose is odd. Chocolate, banana and clove are present cinnamon, ripe fruits and a slight hint of peppers. Light and fluffy but still full bodied and complex. Notes of chocolate, caramel, cherries and plums. The hops are flowery and dominant, especially on the finish.

Pours a hazy coppery orange color with an enormous solid orange/yellow head. Aroma of citrus, orange, a bit dusty, dark malt and alcohol. Wonderful bittersweet taste that starts off sweet with hints of peach, orange and citrus and then completely turns over into a dry bitter finish with malt notes and some hoppyness that lingers on and on. Also very well carbonated. Nice one.

Dry, chalky aroma with strong molasses notes. Served in a semi-transparent plastic cup. Opaque. Dark brown. Off-white head. Very good Belgian strong ale flavor. Wonderful, actually. Would buy again.

Bottle 33cl, an amber dark beer with huge head (got gushing). Nose is on yeast and fruit like cassis or raspberry. Aroma is malty, sweet, fruity on prunes and cassis, good toasted notes with cinnamon. Good dubble kind of beer but less complex and a bit acid.