’t IJ Struis

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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.

Had this from bottle at the brewpub, Amsterdam, 27th Oct 2009 Pours hazy dark brown with an off-white filmy head. There are malts and hops in abundance on the nose and also in the mouth along with a nice chewiness, bit of banana and a very nice warmth from the alcohol. Soft in the mouth, good spiciness, powerful brew, but tasty stuff and the third very nice beer from this brewpub. A7 A4 F7 P5 Ov15 3.8

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.

Pours a dark, ruddy, caramel brown color with a burnt orange tinge. A thick, creamy, beige colored head displays excellent retention, leaving strong, well defined, foamy lacing behind. The aroma shows the signature ’t IJ funk throughout, with musty, peppery yeast permeating a malty base of caramelized apples and candy sugar. Flavors follow suit, with caramel and orchard fruits intermingling with sharp, dry, spicy yeast notes. The result is a unique contrast between sweet, sour, and dry that just seems to work in a funky sort of way. Medium-full bodied and moderately carbonated, the yeast dries out whatever sugary sweet textures that the malts attempt to impart. I call this brewery the Jolly Pumpkin of Europe, and brews like this go a long way to substantiate that claim. Great beer.

Unclear dark amber with nice head. Malty yeasty aroma of caramal, honey, fruit and flowers. Flavour is sweet with sour touch in finish

Bottle. Pours a hazy caramel with a full beautiful tan head. Nose is grassy and flowery hops with underlying sweetness. Flavor is complex and very nice. Starts with flowery hops, then to sweet dark fruits, then to a looonnngg lingering slightly bitter yeast finish. Very nice, smooth and enjoyable.

melow and smooth a bit of a slow gush. Minimal head thereafter. Shortbread and dark dried fruit compote. Ultra ballance and a luxurant mouthfeal that has a refreshing twinge of sour at the finish. Fluffy but small carbonation rounds out the brew.

a real nice powerfull dark beer. a strong, sligth sweet aroma. and lots of flavor.