Struise Witte - De Struise Brouwers

stakem

Pennsylvania

3.7/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

33cl into a matching De Struise cervoise. I loved this beer to death when I had it on draft so I didnt hesitate in getting some bottles when the opportunity arose. I should have paid closer attention because this bottle I am opening for this review is old. Like... older than it should be for a wit. The label is different from the one listed here, instead of yellow, it is blue and very faded, scratched up and downright falling apart now that I look at it closer. The best before code on the side of the label is different from the normal struise labels I am use to seeing that have been imported by Shelton bros. I assume this to be best by 2013 putting this at a 2008 vintage possibly? The brew appears a very clouded color of yellow to golden with a solid 2 fingers of white froth that fade slowly leaving spots of lace clinging all over the glass.

The aroma opens up with a seemingly perfume-like lemony aspect. It is chalk full of yeasty notes mixed with some herbal and earthy components. Wheat tartness is somewhat evident with a blending of grain and then as it opens up, there is a bit of apple cider note coming into play. The taste includes a tart wheat character with hints of lemon and coriander with almost an oily touch. There is a bitterness here somewhat more exaggerated than i was expecting for a wit but it does a decent job contrasting the lemony aspect and the tart wheat presence.

This is a medium to lighter bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is light and easy drinking with the expected lemony aspects and wheat inclusion. I am a bit surprised by the herbal components and hop bitterness that is present. This is certainly a 180 degree turn from my experience of having it on tap. it is good in it's own right, just not at all what I was expecting based on previous experience. I guess it is understandable knowing the difference of draft version bottle conditioning and considering this specific bottle might be several years old.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 00:53:00 | More by stakem

jdense

Oregon

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at HOTD De Struise Night 6.28.12.

Thin layer of pure white head over clear orange tinged clear gold body, multiple streams of rising carbonation. Citrusy nose, good dose of orange peel backed by some meyer lemon notes, spicy, coriander quite prominent. Taste mirrors nose, not overly sweet. Mouthfeel on the light side of medium, very good effervescence. Not the most memorable of beers from an epic night of beer tasting, but certainly a well crafted brew worth trying for fans of this easy drinking style.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2012 14:01:37 | More by jdense

magine

Pennsylvania

3.8/5  rDev +3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at teresas gold brew no head little lace. Brew smells of sweet fruits and yeast. Good sweet flavors; fruits an spices along with a spicy carbonated feel. Drying finish. Drinks like a champ. Very session able. A light drinking summer brew that wouldnt offend. Good stuff here.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 23:55:28 | More by magine

haz77

United Kingdom (England)

3.73/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cloudy straw with an inch of frothy white head. This recedes fairly quickly to a thin cap. No visible carbonation.

S - Quite muted. Lemon, grapefruit, grassiness, breadiness. It's ok.

T - Back on track. Initial burst is of bread/yeast, before the citrus moves through in the middle. Bisuity malt towards the end and a lightly hoppy finish/aftertaste.

M - Medium body initially, with light carbonation. Becomes much lighter and almost watery towards the end.

D - Not too bad. I've head better wittes, but this would certainly be acceptable on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 17:24:14 | More by haz77

RuudJH

Netherlands

4.13/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Witbeer unfiltered unpasteurized, 33 cl bottle.

Clear golden beer, 1/2 inch head, modest carbonation.

Smell is very floral and herbal. Quite unique in this way.
Taste is similar, with a rounded full bitterness.
Nice medium body.

Overall this is a very well balanced beer. the perfume of this brew is quite different from other witbeers, making it a nice try for sampling.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2011 17:44:11 | More by RuudJH

kojevergas

California

3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

33cl bottle of standard brown glass with pressure cap served into a weissbier glass in a hostel in Amsterdam. Reviewed live.

A: 3.5 finger head is thin, devoid of cream, and retains well. Colour is a cloudy murky dark yellow. No visible yeast.

Sm: Lemon, biscuit, and bland citrus hops. A mild strength scent.

T: Lemon and citrus esters. Some heavy malted barley comprises the foundation. Some unwelcome cream is also present. Balanced but poorly built.

Mf: Smooth and wet, complementing the flavour. A bit too wet.

Dr: Easily drinkable, but highly priced and of limited quality. I'd have it again at a lower temperature, but as is, it's the first disappointment I've had from Struise.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2011 19:24:06 | More by kojevergas

czfreeman

Michigan

3.6/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

Poured into my Hoegaarden glass. Really like the label on this brew.
An immensley hazy Witte. Light medium head, carbonation is good. Great appearance.
Smell is quite a bit lighter than expected.Wheat,yeast, orange, pepper, metal? hmmm. Lemon, wheat, good, but really lacks the "Struise" kick I was expecting.
Flavor is very peppery,biting and very good.Orange, biscuit, spices, grains, musty yeastiness, really spicy Wit, touch of sweetness akin to white grape, but the pepper/cracker/lemon combo is fantastic.
More biting than most Wits I've had, I guess it does have the "struise" touch after all, very drinkable, but I really miss the creaminess in the mouthfeel that I think is one of the key critique factors in a Wit.]
Good,but not quite on par with my expectations.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2011 19:49:41 | More by czfreeman

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.3/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

another nice tasting throwdown tonight down by the lake. brought some nice ones i needed to try and this one was one of the first.

it poured a bright hazy yellow with a nice two inch or so white head on top. Nice retention gave way to a good amount of lace. Lots of visible carbonation was apparent. Smell was full of wheat and yeast, very light with little in the way of any floral quality to it. The taste was decent enough, light grain mixed in with a touch of yeast, a little bit of a banana or some kind of kick in the in, with a smooth, and well carbonated light body to it. Overall not too bad, I have had better and I have had worse. It was average at best but no worse then that,. I could have had another easily as they were like water. An average witbier for me

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2011 05:09:38 | More by mikesgroove

rvdoorn

Netherlands

3.83/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

from notes: had this bottle at the struise brewery. Pours a bit hazy yellowish colour with a white head that disappears almost immediately. Smell is spicy, yeast, bit metallic, hops and some very well hidden citrus. Taste is much more hoppy than most of the beers in this style. Very dry finish as well. Mouthfeel is thin with high carbonation. Overall nice beer, much less citrus and more hops than others in the style.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2011 15:45:50 | More by rvdoorn

treyrab

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one comes straight from the hands of Urbain over in Belgium. Flew across the pond last week and I wasted little time before cracking it open. Chilled fast tonight in the freezer and poured into my non-branded Belgian tulip glass.

The beer opens with a slight hiss as the white cap pops off. Slight smoke peeks out as I pour it into the glass.

A: Pours a hazy wicker basket yellow with a nice snowblind white head. A little darker in color for a wit, similar to a light gold (a few hues lighter than the New Orleans Saints uniform gold). The head is very white, thick, and creamy. As I drink the glass, it leaves nice spotty lacing down the sides.

S: The smell starts with a nice pepper and cracker. A slight metallic scent blends its way into the scent, but not in a bad way. As I swirl the glass around a bouquet of scents including bananas that have sat out on the counter for four days, cracked black pepper, and saltine crackers. Slight German skunk as well.

T: One of the more full bodied wits I have had. It is not watery or airy like many wits. It is nice and thick, yet refreshing and quenching simultaneously. The flavors of overripe bananas, pepper, coriander, slight skunky German yeast, and spicy Belgian yeast.

Overall, this is a great wit. Very flavorful for the style and one of the better representations

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2010 01:41:33 | More by treyrab

jrallen34

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle shared with Carlo at De Struise...Pours a light hazy gold that is still semi clear. A light off white head, light and fades pretty quickly with light lacing...The aroma is yeast, lemon, spice, and a touch bitter. Its not the typical wit aromas, nice originality but not entirely working for me...The taste is light lemon, spicy, yeast, has a very champaign like quality from the yeast and dryness of the drink. The finish to harsh and dry for me, so despite its intent as a crusher beer its a tad difficult for me to drink.

Not my fav De Struise beer, I'd skip it next time around.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 03:27:03 | More by jrallen34

yapi

Belgium

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

this is a very nice Witbier. I'm used to more watery witbiers, and this one is much fuller in the mouth and in taste.

L: has a very well balanced, soft yellow color. Nice head.

A: not that present, but you can smell the wheat is in there

T: fresh, wheat is also very pronounced, reminds me a bit of a triple Karmeliet in terms of the wheat taste. I love it that it's a full flavour. Not watery at all, very firm. Pretty bitter too. A bit of citrus going on.

O: nice Witbier by the struise brouwers! Couldn't ask more of this

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2010 18:13:35 | More by yapi

Brabander

Netherlands

3.93/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The weather is warm in Holland so this morning i put this Struise witte in my fridge.

Poured it in my Struise glass this evening and the beer is very nice in the glass; a huge white head with an unclear (?) fluid.

Fresh smell and an even fresher taste. This is a nice witbeer from the guys from Oostvleteren

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2010 21:44:11 | More by Brabander

gyllstromk

Belgium

4/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly cloudy (very slightly for a wheat) straw golden with mild carbonation. Nose has a bit of cheese funkiness, sourness, with notes of pear or apple, and a vinous quality not unlike a Pinot Grigio. Flavor is nice and vinous, finishing dry and slightly tart with more funk on the exhale. A relatively thick feel.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 12:04:23 | More by gyllstromk

MasterSki

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up at West Lakeview Liquors recently Lot B-3-BB, whatever that means. Served in a pilsener glass.

A - Pours with three fingers of soapy white foam that dissipates pretty quickly and leaves a splotches of lacing and a decent cap. Lightly hazed, but mostly transparent, golden straw body, with tons of bubbles racing upwards and sticking to the sides of the glass.

S - Belgian yeast, candi sugar, lemony citrus, honey and spices. There's a bit of sourness and funkiness that I'm not 100% certain is intentional, but it's a nice touch. Maybe a touch medicinal as well. It's a little more complex than a typical witbier.

T - The taste is much more conventional, with some light lemon zest and spices, and a malted wheat backbone. The aftertaste has a little bit of graininess to it. Urbain calls this a lawnmower beer, and I'd have to agree. Simple, yet satisfying.

M - Lively, active carbonation. Extremely dry finish, with maybe a touch of stickiness in the finish.

D - I could drink a ton of this, if not for price and availability. The carbonation, while tingly, isn't overboard, the ABV is low, and the finish is very dry and clean.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2009 23:57:43 | More by MasterSki

adamette

Ohio

3.63/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from the same 11.2 oz. bottle that I purchased at De Bier Tempel in Brugge, Belgium on or about 6 9 09 for 2.50 Euros. I took it with me all over Italy, finally returning at the end of June.

A Kind of basic moderate yellow translucent body with visible carbonation rising up but no sediment viewed by me. Nice, white, creamy head that stuck around for at least 10 minutes. 4.0

S Nice belgian yeast, malt smell and, thankfully, no hops smelled by me. Some light citrus but really this beer does not have a strong smell. 3.5

T Nice sweet, light syrupy malt taste and some grains but not as much of the wheat taste and no significant spices which I tend to like. Really this beer tastes more like I would call a Belgian Blonde but what do I know? What this beer does have, however, is the by now unmistakable Belgian taste as described above. 3.5

M Moderately smooth but most significant feel is a light syrupy stickiness. 3.5

D Good and if it was any easier to get I could test that theory. 4.0

Notes: I would like to taste a Witte from this brewery (a world class one at that) as an unfiltered version. As it is this is a solid beer, but probably a Blonde Belgian Ale. I have to admit that I was a bit let down after having some absolutely stellar beers from DSB in the past. Coming up are two Pannepot beers though....

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2009 03:58:24 | More by adamette

drpimento

Wisconsin

3/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Ok beer. Poured with a white head that quickly faded to a small amount on the surface and almost no lace. Color is hazy medium amber. Aroma is different: yeast, leather, earth, wood, and malt. Flavor is malt, tart, bread, yeast, and cookies. Interesting play between good carbonation and softness in the body. Decent finish. Could maybe be a session beer. Don't really pick up the spices touted on the label.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2009 22:07:46 | More by drpimento

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Above average tasting beer again from Struisse. Pours light translucent orange with some white head, that later leaves lace teasting in the glass. Soft mouthfeel, with after tongue tingling. Orangey citrus flavour. Slightly below average smell of the spice. Nicely drinkable blend.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2009 03:03:37 | More by northyorksammy

glid02

Georgia

3.88/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked this up at Five Points Bottle Shop in Athens, GA.

Pours a hazy lemon-yellow color with a one-finger bright white head. The head dissipates quickly into a wispy layer on top leaving hardly any lacing.

Smells of lemon zest with hints of spices. As the beer warms a bit of barnyard funk comes out as well.

Tastes similar to how it smells, although the flavors aren't as strong as I was led to believe from the smell. The lemon flavors hit first, both sweet and tart, then very light spices, then a dry finish. As with the smell, a slight funk comes out as the beer warms.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a good thickness with solid carbonation.

Drinkability is good. I could have a lot of these on a summer day - not too much going on but very refreshing.

Overall this was a good wit - not great, but certainly good. Worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2009 01:49:25 | More by glid02

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears a transparent, light gold with plentiful streams of carbonation quickly rising to the top of the creamy, 1 finger, white head. The foamy cap never falls out. Scattered speckles of lacing are left around the glass.
Smell is of lemon zest, rummy sugar, spicy dough, and perhaps a tiny amounts of caramel drizzled on white bread.
Taste is of raisin (white)bread minus the abundance of brown sugar. There is also a honey & citrus flavor that is highlighted by the freshly squeezed lemon qualities found zinging along the tastebuds.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied, zesty, mildly spicy, with tartness leading to a somewhat dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2009 00:16:05 | More by weeare138

Beerenauslese

California

4.05/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: A cloudy honey amber, has good initial head that soon disappears.

S: Lots of sour fruits and bananas, brown sugar and a little horse blanket.

T: Ginger, sour fruit, coriander, honey.

M: High carbonation (almost like seltzer) gives this a light mouthfeel and makes it a real palate cleanser.

D: Its light mouthfeel and sourness makes this a good thirst quencher for a hot day. Although I can sometimes only stomach one wittbier, I could envision having two of these on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2009 02:11:01 | More by Beerenauslese

rhinos00

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 11.2 oz. bottle into a pilsener glass.

A- Straw, pale yellow with lots of carbonation. Nice three fingers worth of off-white head gathered.

S- Combination of wheat and spiced herbs. There was also a strong scent of acidic, sour citrus tones.

T- Follows the smell. I was afraid the sourness was going to play into the taste, but surprisingly it did not. Carried a nice wheat flavor and finished off with a crisp spice finish.

M- Like the taste, crisp and clean. Light to medium bodied with tons of carbonation.

D- Pretty drinkable. At 5% ABV this is definitely a session beer, not too mention its refined taste.

Overall, a pretty good beer. I still prefer there quad.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 03:12:19 | More by rhinos00

LilBeerDoctor

New York

3.9/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed on 3/16/08. Bottle. Poured a light yellow with a small white head, pretty carbonated. Aroma of light fruits (apple, pear, citrus). Taste of the same light fruits also some darker fruits like plum. The taste also had lots of spice that really complemented the beer and didn't overpower it. A nice blend of flavors. Very refreshing and very drinkable. I loved this! 7/4/8/4/15 (3.8/5)

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2008 02:12:49 | More by LilBeerDoctor

BeerBelcher

Ohio

2.15/5  rDev -41.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

I ended up with this at the Delirium Cafe due to some confusion from a not-too-beer-savvy bartendress and something of a language barrier. I wish I would have had something else, as I was not impressed.

This beer is almost clear with a light yellow tinge. Head is a pretty thorough coating of universally-sized bubbles not different from a macro-lager. Aroma was very faintly wheat-y, but there was not much there...maybe a touch of sugar. Flavor is slightly bitter grainy-ness in the back of the mouth with some citrus notes. Flavor seemed awfully unbalanced - lots of malt but not much else. I was unimpressed.

I would not recommend this beer. I had this from a bottle at the Delirium Cafe in Brussels.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2008 02:26:55 | More by BeerBelcher

requiem960

Florida

4.7/5  rDev +27.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Every now and again I find those beers that to me are unbelievable. Struise Witte, simply put, is a near perfect example of what a Witbier should taste like.

This beer pours slightly hazy with a golden/orage tone with a foamy head. The smell was different for a Witbier, but had a sweet, yeasty fragrance. Not what I was expecting, nor was it one of those beers that smells of perfection. The scent was a little on the boring side, but the taste definitely made up for the smell!

Struise Witte has a very floral taste, but is not overly complex. Yeast was definitely present, so was orange and citrus. I found the beer to be more on the sweet side, than tart. Overall, this beer was crisp, clean and refreshing; a perfect beer to drink at the end of a hot day in Florida!

I was pleasantly surprised with the Struise Witte. After hearing my beer advisor recommend this beer, I was excited to try it. But to my surprise, it exceeded my expectations and renewed my faith in Belgium Wits!

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2008 00:03:25 | More by requiem960