Pannepot Reserva - De Struise Brouwers

birderbeerer

Virginia

4.6/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2008 bottle, drinking date of this review.

Deep chestnut, the only color seen in direct light. A one inch head quickly settles into a tight, thin layer of head.

A wonderful, rich aroma. Loads of figs. raisins, cherries, sweet malts, molasses, licorice. Wonderful. So deep and rich. Bit of booze but there's enough other aroma to support the booze.

Very complex taste as well. Follows the aroma. Plus chocolate. And some light spice, which offsets the sweetness perfectly. Chewy. Very dry finish. Moves from sweet and refreshing to chewy and fulfilling to a lingering dryness.

One of the greats.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2011 02:23:41 | More by birderbeerer

timtim

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

dark dark brown (almost black) with a tan head. nose is dark fruit (mainly plum to me), spice, caramel, and charred wood. lots of layers, but humble at the same time. taste follows suit with some added vanilla and grain tastes, and i find almost a smoky hint in the end... and chocolate? pretty sweet, but not cloying. almost full body with a rustic kind of feel. very very good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-13-2011 01:21:04 | More by timtim

hippityhops85

Pennsylvania

4.97/5  rDev +15%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Ok, this may be the best beer I've ever had.

Pours a DEEP chestnut brown. Opaque in the center with a gradient towards burnt umber at the edges of the glass. Minimal white head leaving a slick on top of the beer.

The nose has the most amount of dark fruits I've EVER smelled. Deep, dark plums, deep cinnamon, overwhelmingly delicious smelling

The taste just combines it all together. So much dark fruit, slight chocolate tones, slight coffee tones. Overall a wonderful amalgamation of flavors.

The mouthfeel is perfect. Low carbonation combined with a medium heavy bodied just brings the dark fruits to life. Unbelievable.

I really don't know how to rightly describe this beer. It's decadent. It's over the top. It's something I wish I could buy by the case.

It's better than Westy 12. By a LONG shot.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2011 00:26:10 | More by hippityhops85

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

4.45/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 Vintage. Old Fisherman's Ale Aged on Oak. Poured from 33cl bottle into Chalice. Thanks to Kendall for hooking this up.

A. Poured about an inch of head. Good retention. Moderate lacing. Almost permanent collar of head. Color is very dark brown.

S. Aroma comes wafting up as soon as I start pouring. Stong dark fruit smell, raisins, figs, and a some grape. Pretty sweet smelling. Candi sugar. Caramel malt. Really nice quad smell. Maybe a little bit of woody oak as it warms. Stronger smelling that Pannepot, and sweeter.

T. Taste has a nice caramel malt flavor. Really the dominant flavor, followed by some dark fruit. I actually do a get a little coffee on the finish with just a bit of chocolate as well. Very interesting. Really good tasting quad. A touch sweeter and a little more complex than regular Pannepot.

M. Medium/full bodied. Low carbonation. Sweet beer, but finishes pretty dry. Has a bit of lingering sweetness, and probably a little bit more than Pannepot.

O. Had Pannepot last night and thought it was great. I think the Reserva is probably a touch better. Both are excellent quads. Very smooth and refined beers. Tommorow brings Pannepot Grand Reserva, if it is anything like the first 2 I have had it will be a great beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2011 02:21:27 | More by siradmiralnelson

bluejacket74

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 ounce bottle, 2008 vintage. Served in a DFH Signature glass, the beer pours a murky dark brown color with about a half inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. The brew smells like dark fruit, brown sugar, oak, molasses and a bit of rum. The taste is sweet and malty, it tastes like dark fruit, sweet spices, booze, molasses, brown sugar and a bit of peppery spice and oak. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit creamy and coating with moderate carbonation. I think this is a pretty good brew, I've liked the other Pannepot versions I've tried in the past, and this one is no different. Definitely worth trying!

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2011 00:19:43 | More by bluejacket74

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage, 11.2 oz bottle split between two snifters, as Chowdahead and I did a side-by-side with a 2010 Pannepot. Color is an amber/brown, lighter than regular Pannepot and similar to a barrel-aged barleywine. Nose is Pannepot-esque but the booze notes are much more prevalent. I love side-by-side tastings, as they really give you an opportunity to see how aging or barrel-aging affects a base beer. This one did not disappoint. Notes of dark fruit, molasses, honey, subtle spice, caramel, even some port. There is truly no other beer like Pannepot in the world - I love it. A pefect beer for my 100th BA review!

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 18:41:58 | More by ElGallo

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.35/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage. Pours a three-finger light head that fades slowly leaving a good lace. Black color, no highlights, ton of yeast left in bottle. Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Dark fruit and alcohol nose and flavor is also alcohol and dark fruit, mellow sweetness. Expensive at $10.49 for a 330ml bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2011 23:07:36 | More by jdhilt

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.08/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Opened up a 2008 vintage into a tulip.

A: Opaque dark brown beer with crimson highlights. Nice small pinky of head that'd off white to tan, amazing lacing.

S: Has great classic quad smells, some ripe dark fruits, brown sugar, lots of nice belgian spices, and more. Caramel. A little sweet subtle oak.

T: All the smell is there with great balance, and a little extra spice and sweet corn mixture. A nice super dark caramel mixed belgian quad mix. Not super complex, but good.

M: Not thick, just medium.

Overall it's good, but doesn't stand up to some of the bigger ones IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2011 19:01:51 | More by Dreadnaught33

GallowsThief

Florida

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured out of a 12 oz bottle into my tulip. Picked up at Brawley’s.

A – Poured out a deep amber brown that was cloudy. Produced one finger of tannish head that dissipated quickly.

S – Beautiful smell with dark fruits like figs and cherry. Grapes, molasses and brown sugar as well. Nice and sweet in the nose.

T – Much like the nose this one is nice and sweet to start but not cloying. The dark fruits and brown sugar are noticeable in the flavors and balance well. I get a good bit of grape in the taste. Amazingly the ABV is not overbearing at 10%. Its warming and you can feel it but not like expected.

M – Smooth over the palate. Moderately carbonated. Medium to full bodied. Drying at the end.

O – Very nice brew indeed with just great tastes all rolled up together. Has a nice sweetness and makes a great sipper.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 23:43:03 | More by GallowsThief

mrfrancis

Kentucky

4.47/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a dark, murky brown with a pillowy, lingering khaki head.

S: Aromas of ripe plums, red grapes, oak, spices, port, and dark chocolate are abundant on the nose. Complex and welcoming at the same time.

T: Notes of port, spiced pears, cream, pepper, plums, dark chocolate, red table grapes, and oak wash across the palate. The finish is spicy and sweet with notes of dark chocolate, oak, and port.

M: Full bodied, creamy, silky, and smooth. The alcohol is very well-hidden. Very easy to drink for an ale of this strength.

O: This is one of my favorite quads. It is also one of the best barrel-aged beers I've tried. This is one not to miss.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 18:51:06 | More by mrfrancis

pmarlowe

California

4.1/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2008 vintage. Tulip glass. Thanks to spry for opening this one.

Pours an opaque very dark amber, some lacing and medium colored khaki foam with some big bubbles and a ring of head. Smells like green apple, dark cherry, and some bright caramel. As it warms, dark fruit, barrel spices, and some apple comes out. Taste is fruity (apple), subdued caramel malt, and a hint of chocolate. Medium body and light carbonation, doesn't show the alcohol at all. Overall, a pretty tasty quad, balance with barrel characteristics which support the other flavors well. Nice job.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2011 06:33:05 | More by pmarlowe

warnerry

Michigan

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 release into a goblet

A - Pours a beautiful deep but translucent mahogany with half a finger of splotchy tan head. Head fades to a collar pretty quickly and leaves only small amounts of lacing.

S - Caramel and toffee, a bit of candi sugar, rum-soaked plum and fig, a bit of cinnamon and pepper. Very inviting aroma.

T - Initially a bit sweet, with candi sugar and caramel, but very quickly the sweetness is balanced with some spices that bring a bit of dryness, plum and a bit of raisin, and some noticeable alcohol. Finishes mostly dry, though there is some lingering sticky sweetness.

M - Initially medium with soem sticky sweetness. Finishes with some dryness.

O - Very enjoyable quad from Struise. There is some apparent alcohol, but it is not detracting in the least. It really works well with the fruits and spices.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 21:28:29 | More by warnerry

liamt07

Ontario (Canada)

4.15/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Jason, as part of the QuadShowdown. 330ml into a tulip, 2007 vintage.

Poured a dark brown, with a light tan/cream coloured soapy head. Fairly dense head, leaves some bubbles behind; unfiltered body. Nose is quite bold, some licorice, chocolate, dark fruits, caramel, booze soaked dark fruits. Very complex, I could sniff this for hours. Taste is yeasty,with some grape, chocolate and licorice. Mouthfeel is a tad lighter than I'd like but still fairly full, a touch bitter in the finish. Lingering flavour and a bit of booze. Excellent quad and something I could keep my nose to for hours. Flavour holds up quite well to the nose on this as well.

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2011 18:33:56 | More by liamt07

Gosox8787

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 2009 vintage. Poured into a Bruery tulip glass.

Appearance: Brown to dark brown in color. Pours a nice two finger beige head. Recedes into a nice thin lacing around the edge of the glass.

Aroma: Raison, fig, and a whole bunch of other dark fruit. Pronouced spice notes of cinnamon, nutmeg and others. A touch of rum booziness as well.

Taste: Like the aroma, lots of dark fruit. More of a bittersweet chocolate and coffee note to tone down the sweetness. A touch of yeast and spiced run contribute some nice flavor as well. There is a touch of oak in there too, just subdued. Nicely balanced and not overly hot.

Mouthfeel: Plenty of carbonation and medium mouthfeel. Thin for the style but not distractingly so.

Overall, definitely one of the best and most complex of the style I've ever had. Certainly a great beer. I really like how much heat is present at this age too. Looking forward to my other bottle.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 01:49:37 | More by Gosox8787

sprucetip

Alaska

4.78/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2007 vintage. Mahogany color doesn't light threw it even when backlit. No highlights, nothing. Fizzy head lasts a few seconds at best. No lacing.

Oak barrel, vanilla, mellow boozy esters, malty richness and dark fruit.

Sweet malty richness, mild bitterness, sour cherries and other dark fruit, oak, vanilla, and chocolate, all blending delightfully within the overall funky Belgian yeast character. Very yummy.

Super rich full body with mild but perfect carbonation. Luscious viscous texture, modest warming and a smooth finish.

Yum. I love Pannepot in all its forms. But there have been times when it didn't live up to my fond memories. This was not one of those times. This is an expertly made and deliriously delicious beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 04:01:11 | More by sprucetip

Damian

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank from an 11.2 fl. oz. bottle purchased at Julio's Liquors, Westboro, MA
2008 vintage
Served in a goblet

The beer poured a cloudy, dark mahogany color and was topped by a one-finger head of bubbly, light tan foam that faded to a persistent ring of froth. Large spots of drippy lacing trickled all down the glass.

The nose was quite subtle initially. Some toasty malts came through along with slight metallic notes. As the beer warmed it became much more complex. Stone fruits were apparent. Strong raisin and Belgian yeast notes appeared as well. Some dark candi sugar. Quite spicy and sweet. Rich and phenolic.

The flavor profile was similar to the nose but it was not as smooth or robust. Deep, dark and woody. Somewhat earthy. The malt profile was somewhere between toasty and roasty. Dry overall. Burnt raisins were noticeable. Some Belgian yeast notes. The finish was crisp, dry and slightly tannic with a bit of alcohol warmth. For a 10% ABV beer, however, this dark remarkably well.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied for the style. Smooth and slick on the palate with a fine, zippy effervescence.

After now sampling Pannepot, Pannepot Reserva and Pannepot Grand Reserva, I can say that there is not much difference between the three variations. These are all solid beers but they lacked the intensity and complexity I was anticipating.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2011 21:37:16 | More by Damian

Metalmonk

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage.

For a 3-year-old beer, the head keeps this beer looking lively and fresh...it disappears to a skim pretty quickly, of course, but its mocha color is nice while it lasts. The liquid is a dense, muddy dark brown.

Aroma is a tantalizing, heady mixture of cinnamon, black pepper, coffee grounds, allspice, anise, yeast and alcohol. Nothing spikes out further than the other, all is in balanced accord. Even a bit of pumpernickel emerges with some warming. Smells like a pretty serious beer.

The nose hints at what's to come on the tongue, and does not falsely advertise. All of that is there, with the same balance exhibited in the nose. There's also a nearly astringent herbal essence that comes in, which seems like it must be hops, but with three years for those to fade, it's probably the unrevealed "spice" that the label touts. Some raising and less identifiable dark fruits emerge. The heady, vinous, almost charred-meat character is likely the wood, but even the French oak barrels this was aged in don't exactly scream "barrel" or "wood." There's nothing literal in Pannepot Reserva 2008; all ingredients and brewing techniques take on more interpretive, symbolic characters.

Soft and smooth on the tongue with just a little bit of carbonation caress. With all the complexity and depth of flavor, it's nice that the texture doesn't budge in too thick or cloying. Spice and wood mingle in the finish, with a nearly citrus-like sourness being hinted at but never totally delivered, all keeping the imagination soaring...

Man alive, this is one complex and satisfying beer. Another incredible Belgian delight.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 22:45:02 | More by Metalmonk

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2008 vintage.

Beer is a dark chestnut brown, with a thin tan head. Surprisingly small head, actually, and it fades quickly. Decent lacing.

Smell is very full and nice. Lots of dark fruit (cherry, fig), brown sugar, malt, a bit of spice, oak and vanilla. Beautiful.

Taste totally lives up to the nose. Malt and dark fruit up in front- quite sweet. The sweetness gives the beer a bit of a caramelly flavour. The oak is noticeable but not overly strong- a nice bit of vanilla and wood that provide a nice backbone for the sweet fruit flavours. Spice notes are restrained but present. Alcohol is slightly warming. Really good.

Beer is velvety smooth. Thinner than expected, with a moderate carbonation comprised of incredibly small bubbles. A bit of heat from the booze, but very mild.

Definitely a first-rate beer. The effect of the barrels is very nice, though certainly not as pronounced as in the Grand Reserva, where they really play a starring role. A classic.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2011 00:43:16 | More by jrenihan

comfortablynumb1

California

3.8/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

2008 vintage

Poured from 11.2 fl oz bottle into a RR snifter...

A - Pours a deep mahogany with a one finger tan head. Head dissipates at fairly hasty rate, but there is some sticky lacing to be had...

S - Sweet malts, dark fruits, belgian yeast, a little spice, and some alcohol. Alot sweeter scent than I was expecting...

T - Caramel, figs, plums, brown sugar, and some toffee. Don't pick up any oak. Ends with a good amount of sweet malt, and a touch of lingering dark fruit. Alcohol is present, but is not as prominate as it comes across in the scent. There is alot going on here, and sweet malts are definitely the base...

M - On the higher end of being medium bodied. Carbonation is on the moderate side, but it still prickles the toungue. A definite sipper...

O - Solid brew, but not worth the price-vs- bottle size imo. Was also a little bummed about the lack of oak. Good, but probably not something I will be going out of my way to obtain...

Cheers...

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2011 04:11:13 | More by comfortablynumb1

BobZ

Massachusetts

4.65/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I consumed a 3 bottle vertical for this review. A 2008, 2007, & 2006 Vintage each poured into my Duvel Tulip. Each bottle was 330ml (11.2oz).

Appearance: Very deep reddish almost ruby brown with a very nice ½”head that quickly receded to just a cap, lacing is very good. Each vintage remained virtually identical.

Smell: Very similar to the standard Pannepot, dark fruit and spice was common to all three. The major difference being the mocha aromas decreased dramatically with age.

Taste: Extraordinary flavor, as expected. Rich dark fruit flavors primarily raisin, some warming from the alcohol which is otherwise well masked. As in the aroma, the difference being the mocha flavors which increased dramatically with youth. The 2008 had very forward mocha flavor, the 2007 was less so with the mocha integrated and the oak more noticeable, the 2006 was extraordinary all flavors nearly in perfect balance, dark fruit, mocha, and a hint of oak.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, very drinkable.

Overall: Once more a world class brew from De Struise. I would suggest drinking a fresh one and cellaring as much as you can as this beer ages, very, very, well (as does all Pannepot seemingly!).

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2011 16:55:14 | More by BobZ

jcartamdg

Florida

4.28/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown almost black color with a paper thin head with great lacing for a quad. Aroma of caramel, figs and raisins. Tastes sweet and fruity, oak notes in the back. Thick and chewy yet easy to drink, not too boozy, the aging has done this beer some good

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 03:07:44 | More by jcartamdg

kiddynamite920

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: 2008 bottle. Very dark brown with a fingers worth of head, lacing already evident. Hints at a dark, red copper when light hits it.

S: Actually a bit light for how dark the beer is. Green apples and pears. The cherries and figs are definitely there, and it finishes with cinnamon and oak-y wood notes. Definitely one that aged gracefully.

T: Sweet, caramel with dark notes of fig and molasses. The light smells of the nose don't come through on the palate. Instead, this is where this beer shines. Brown sugar and vanilla extract. Some cherry and a bit of bitterness. Interesting beer.

M: Thick and chewy, full bodied and full of flavor that lasts for a while. Low carbonation that makes for a very smooth body.

O: This one is very enjoyable but, a bit on the raisin side for me. Sweet and viscous. Too much caramel and sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2011 06:12:39 | More by kiddynamite920

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours a deep amber to brown in color with a light tan head. In the aroma, oaky and dark fruit. In the taste, dark fruits, a mellow oaky taste, and just a pinch of alcohol. A small alcohol bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry oak and small alcohol like aftertaste. A nice oak presence with a dark fruit sweet to dryness, a really nice sipper.

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2011 21:44:11 | More by OWSLEY069

billab914

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2008 vintage. Poured from a 33cl bottle into my Westvleteren chalice. It poured a dark, murky brown color with a little bit of a ruby hue to it in the light. It had a thin but fizzy head that clung mostly to the edges of the glass.

The aroma has some sweeter, malty flavors coming out with some notes of cherry, caramel and brown sugar present. I get a moderate yeast spice to it and a little of the oak as well. The oak adds some subtle vanilla and woody flavors to it that I really liked.

The taste has a sweeter, dark fruit component to it almost throughout the beer. I get more of the drier, woody oak coming out midway and lasting into the finish. The finish has a bit of alcohol mixing with some more fruity, sweet, caramel, cherry and fig like flavors as well as some yeast spice. Some more cherry flavors started to come out as it warmed and mixed with the oak very well.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side with carbonation being above average. Overall it was a great beer. The oak and dark fruits mixed very well for me. It was relatively balanced as well for the style with the yeast spice and malty sweetness kept in check. Very enjoyable beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 00:35:39 | More by billab914

dasenebler

Maine

3.4/5  rDev -21.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

33cl, 2008 Vintage.

Cap comes off with an uneventful fizzle, and the pour seems to lack carbonation. The color, however, is a beautiful and surprisingly clear ruby brown, with a small but adequate light tan layer of foam. All of the yeast and sediment sticks to the bottom of the bottle in an opaque layer. Lacing is nice.

The aroma is at first very oxidized and metallic smelling: not good. Somehow this disappears after a while, and a pleasant dark fruit character is revealed. Nice oaky notes.

The flavor is rich and malty, yet not as complex as I expected. The metallic, oxidized character is present, though not as pungent as in the aroma. Lots of caramel and dulce de leche. Oaky, woody flavors are present as well as some prune and fig. Kind of sweet, but with a dry, yeasty finish. Mouthfeel is thick and oily, though could use a bit more carb. I think the flavor would benefit from a livelier mouthfeel, too.

A lot of the Struise beers I've been getting lately have had an unpleasant metallic character. Whatever it is--cap contamination, premature oxidation--it must stop. Struise is better than this.

UPDATE 6/6/11: Second bottle was better. More carbonation, but still lacking pizazz in the mouthfeel department. The metallic, oxidized character is again there in aroma and flavor. I edited a few things in the review above, in addition to upping my numerical score (3 to 3.4). Still not as good as this beer could or should be.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 01:43:26 | More by dasenebler