’t IJ Struis

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

UPDATED: FEB 2, 2010 Rating reflects aged sample, but a fresh one is also pretty damn good. Fresh: Red-brown clear appearance. Very full-bodied with long-lasting flavors. Excellent long bittersweet finish. I agree with jbrus about this one: this is underrated brew. Re-rate: Bottled, 0.3 liter, BB 04-2008, sampled 01-2010 (about 6 years old). Beer came gushing out after opening, unbelievable after all these years. Brown colored, tiny yeast particles, lasting beige head. Absolutely fantastic nose, extremely fruity, almost like a lambic, but also hoppy, reminiscent of Orval, wow. Initially sour flavor, which later on develops to be more sweet. Lasting sweet finish. I’d never thought that a beer could age in this way, it tastes like a fresh Orval with a hint of lambic. Brilliant!

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

11.2 bottle [best before 4/04]: Deep, hypnotizing red-cedar body . . . gorgeous, tight, slowly falling off tan cream. Huge floral esters, along with strong fruit (sweet red grapes, raisins, plums, and sugar coated figs). Smooth, creamy palate with great fizzy carbonation. Wonderful flavours of buttered popcorn, brown sugar coated raisins, dark cherries, milk chocolate, and great yeast. A stand out for me of the t IJ beers. Wow, I am off to buy another . . .

UPDATED: OCT 26, 2006 This is excellent. I say we call it an Abbot. No hops to this beer, it is all about the malt. Aroma begins with an initial burst of alcohol, then that fades and what remains is malt, fermenting fruit, and yeast. Flavor has sweet plums, cherry, light raisin, brandy, brown sugar, bread dough, and caramel. Thick and heavy, dark brown with lots of sediment and a lasting head. As usual, t’IJ has a great beer.

caramel/toffee aroma. murky brown with a small cream colored head. big burnt caramel flavor which dominates everything. hints of chocolate. tastes like sugar babies candy only liquified. i love it.

WOWEE tasty mctasterson!! pours delicious with minimal head and a wowee-zowee finish! Notes of caramel.

Sweet, slight barrel-funk aroma. Murkey amber color with excellent soft off-white head that lasts. Moderately sweet, lactic hints with a dry finish that leaves you thirsting for another sip. Really an excellent and surprisingly complex beer.

Dark brown color. Sweet like candied fruit. Thick, full bodied, alcoholic (some of which comes out in the taste). Nice head, great thick molasses aroma.