Struise Tsjeeses Reserva (2008-2010) - De Struise Brouwers

dogfishandi

New York

4.3/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2010 Vintage. 11.2 oz bottle at fridge temp poured into an ommegang goblet.

pours out a murky, reddish, mahaganey color with huge chunks of yeasty trub floating around as well as tons of sediment, kind of takes away from the appearence. a nice retentive off white head, almost a little tan colored. good retention, but no real lace to speak of.

a very vinious, wine like aroma. lots of slightly funky, oaky barrel qualities as well. a hint of a dark fruity, dark bready, slightly sweet malt and just a little tartness.

very nice taste, lots of complexities. starts off with a slightly prickly carbonation and kind of a dry wine taste, then moves into some wonderful, somewhat sweet, toffee, brown sugar, candied caramel, figs, dark breads, a bit of vanilla and a hint of nutmeg and other such spices. the slightest bit of funk. the vinious wine like fruity flavors come back in the finish. all the flavors meld together so nicely.

medium to full in body. just the right feeling carbonation for this beer which is a touch on the high side.

a very enjoyable beer. the regular tsjeeses was a winner for me and this is even better. much like many of struises belgian beers, it seems to
embody everything you would want in a belgian. age has done this beer well with so many complex flavors that meld with one another so nicely. if this is still at my bottle shop, ill be sure to grab more for the cellar. highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 00:40:54 | More by dogfishandi

JerseyKirk

New Jersey

3.23/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A: 1 finger khaki head, straw to amber. Tight bubbles, creamy head.

S: chocolate, bread, sourness, bready crust malt, belgian yeast.

T: chocolate, spice bomb punch, booze afterwards, caramel malt, no hop bitterness, strong toffee sweetness.

M: medium with sweet caramel thickness.

O: I definitely wouldn't get again. Belgian pale ale with spiced and strong sweetness. Gives me a slight headache when drinking.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 20:04:31 | More by JerseyKirk

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip.

A - Pours a slightly hazy dark amber; I was careful to pour slowly to leave the sediment at the bottom, and I can see a lot of yeast still in the bottle so I think that was the smart thing. Despite the little bit of cloudiness, I can see partway through it, glimpsing multiple torrents of carbonation that help feed the 2.5-finger, tan head and leaving it with high retention. Compose of thick, soapy bubbles, the head leaves a thick coat of lace on the glass that is nearly all-encompassing.

S - The nose is potent and covers a lot of different subjects. A sugar-coated fruitiness is the first thing I get, like grapes, dates, and figs, and this combined with strong yeast phenols make this addicting to smell. A touch of alcohol springs up here and there, just enough to let you know this isn't all sweet, but otherwise it isn't much of a disturbance. Lastly, a subtle oak creeps in, not individually, but latching onto the other characteristics to give them a nice twist.

T - My first sip almost has me withdraw in surprise as it's kind of a kick in the mouth. This flavor is something that I haven't came across before as a whole, only in separate beers. Again, the sugary fruits are back, but now they get that alcohol-soaked quality that is common for stronger Belgians, and I really get the gritty parts of it, like the pits and skin. It's very earthy, and the oak only helps in cementing that feeling. Something that was missed in the nose was the spice in this, as I am getting a little bit of all-spice and cinnamon as well that differentiates this.

M - Mouthfeel is moderately heavy-bodied with good carbonation. Despite the sweetness it still finishes pretty dry but has a lasting finish of alcohol and spice.

D/O - Drinkability is high. This is really a cool and unique beer which is good to help break up the grind that I sometimes find myself falling into in terms of styles. A spiced Belgian Christmas ale with a bit of oak-aging in it? Sounds good to me, and has the taste to back it up as well.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 04:15:40 | More by nhindian

cosmicevan

New York

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a - opened and poured into an ommegang chalice. poured a murky orange with lots of chunks. had a nice creamy belgian head made of lots of tiny bubbles.

s - my wife smelt it from across the room and commented. creamy green grape with a tingle of alcohol.

t - very nice fruit medley. almost quad-like. green grape and some vanilla.

m - creamy and smooth. very cooilng with a tingle.

o - wasn't wild about the regular tsjesses, but this one was a different animal. more vinous so the spicing is dialed back which is nice, since i found the regular to be a bit over-spiced.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 03:42:40 | More by cosmicevan

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked this up for $8.29 in Dearborn, having heard good things. I didn't like the regular Tsjeesus too much but had higher hopes for the Reserve.

It pours a hazy copper color, with a thin head that falls to a film over a few minutes. The aroma reminds me strongly of Westvleteren 12, candy sweet with esters and some clear ethanol notes. It tastes exactly as it smells, more like a quad than a spiced ale, totally Westy. I don't get how this can be related to the standard Tsjeesus, the spices don't present too clearly. Maybe a little bitterness in the aftertaste hints at spicing, that's about it.

This is excellent, one of the few beers worth $9 for 11.2oz

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2012 02:06:08 | More by TurdFurgison

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on 2012-01-01 in Columbia, PA

A - Moderately hazy caramel with a 2-finger tan head that fades pretty quickly with no lacing.

S - Floral, sweet malt, vanilla bean, figs, spice.

T - First impression is toffee malt, Angostura bitters, tangerine rind, vanilla, oak, some spice flavors that I can't identify, peppercorns. Mildly astringent. Noticeable but pleasant alcohol. Dries pretty nicely with a lingering strong spice, malt and Angostura bitters.

M - Medium body and light carbonation. Creamy and moderately sticky.

O - Never had a beer like this. I don't know if the brewer actually used Angostura bitters but it seems like it to me. While I like bitters in moderation, I'm also sensitive to the taste of pepper and between the two, it seems over-the-top for my taste buds. Glad I had this surprising brew. My wife didn't like this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2012 18:25:57 | More by Tucquan

warnerry

Michigan

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a clear copper orange with one and a half fingers of off-white head, some fine suspended material and a nice strwam of carbonation.Leaves nice lacing.

S - Very pleasant and interesting aroma. Quite a bit of fruit, with white grapes, peach and a bit of strawberry. Nice spice presence as well, and a bit of earthy yeast.

T - Taste is more spice than fruit, opposite of what I got from the smell. Spices include cinnamon, coriander and some clove. Nice bready taste , a bit of noticeable alcohol, and the fruit notes described above.

M - Nice creamy medium mouthfeel. Spices lead to a dry finish.

O - I have a regular Tsjeeses that I have yet to open, so I don't know how this compares, but this was great. A lot going on, but not at all muddled. Nice layers of flavors. Bottle went down way too quickly.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 22:05:34 | More by warnerry

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Amber with a fingerswidth wheat head. Superb layer of retention puts up a tentacle or two.

Spicy/fruity aromatic mix. Spicy that's kinda like bright green grass mixed with mulling spice - but not really. Fruity like sugared apricot and golden pear. Tinge of butternut squash.

Well balanced dry vs. juicy taste. Yeasty spice (dry) vs. rich apricot and white grape juice. Dry, lightly burnt sugar finish that contrasts the sweet and juicy and sets up the next sip.

Magically delicious, it magically disappeared before I knew it. Merry Christmas to me.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2011 21:29:12 | More by donkeyrunner

prototypic

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tsjeeses Reserva pours a rich copper color. It’s extremely hazy. A few yeasty particles can even be seen swimming about. Backlighting reveals nice crimson highlights. A light tan head tops it off. It stands about a finger tall before falling back. Lacing was definitely spotty and light. Perhaps a little too much abv?

The nose is good. It kicks off with a nice mix of fruit notes and yeast. Fruity notes of apple and pear are present, in addition to some light berry scents. The yeast seems to bring spicy notes of pepper and clove to the table. I don’t know the full story behind this beer, but there’s definitely a strong oak scent here. A subtle hint of tannic and vinous notes emerge late. Alcohol is definitely there, but doesn’t come through all that strong. I wouldn’t have guessed double digits.

The flavor is definitely impressive. It kicks off with a tasty mix of fruit flavors. Most notable are apple, raspberry, pear, and white grape. Belgian yeast is flavorful and adds light, spicy flavors of clove and pepper. They blend extremely well with the fruit notes. Oak comes through loud and clear here. It adds a really nice flavor and a ton of depth and character. It also brings some tannic and vinous notes along the way. Impressive. Alcohol is there, but is subtle and deceptive. Finishes fruity and oaky. Excellent.

The body is medium. Carbonation is light and soft. It’s smooth and goes down very easy. It really is deceptive. The 10% abv operates like a stealthy assassin. Having said that, it still goes down far too easily. This is a relatively small bottle…and I want more.

Tsjeeses Reserva is quite superior to the regular Tsjeeses (if memory serves correct). This one has a lot more flavor and character. I suspect some sort of barrel aging is the culprit. It doesn’t have any real shortcomings. Well…I guess you could say the bottle’s too small. That’s a different point. Find a bottle. It’s well worth it.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 05:21:26 | More by prototypic

Damian

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Drank from an 11.2 fl oz bottle purchased at Liquor World, Cambridge, MA
Lot: C 8 10
Served in a tulip

Cloudy, dark copper-amber in appearance with a near two-finger tall crop of tight, creamy froth. Even with a careful pour, I saw some particles floating in the liquid. The head had good lasting strength, and it slowly faded to a substantial film of bubbles. Streaks of lacing stuck all down the glass.

The nose was quite intriguing. Deep, rich and robust for a Belgian strong pale ale. Lots of sweet, bready malts and Christmas spices. Fruity with distinct notes of apple and pear. Good dose of Belgian yeastines. A touch of alcohol warmth was initially detectible and it became a bit more noticeable as the beer warmed.

The flavor profile was quite similar to the nose. Rich, bready malts were quite apparent. Strong pear and apple skin notes. Lots of Belgian yeastiness. Spicy and phenolic. Strong clove and nutmeg notes. Some Belgian candi sugar. Slightly citrusy. A bit tart. Nice interplay between the sweet and tart flavors. The beer finished off-dry with hints of oak and some mellow, noble hops - just enough to keep the beer crisp, balanced and quite drinkable. Speaking of drinkability, I never would have guessed this to be anywhere near 10% ABV.

The liquid was rich and creamy on the palate. A fine yet zippy effervescence lent the beer a smooth suppleness. Although I often find the mouthfeel on BSPAs to be too thin and over carbonated, De Struise managed to nail it on this one.

Tsjeeses Reserva is a fantastic Belgian strong pale ale and a nice seasonal twist on the style. I cannot think of many others beers that would serve as a better nightcap on this Christmas Eve.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 05:45:57 | More by Damian

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.98/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2010 vintage, Lot: 2722090610, Bottle Lot: 30/H/FF

A: Pours a murky brown, with hints of reds throughout. There is a large amount of khaki colored head that slowly settles as the beer drinks. There is also some really nice lacing left along the edges of the glass.

S: Smells really sweet and boozy. I'm picking up hints of honey, candied sugar, spice (that I can't seems to place), and lemon. The nose of this beer is really nice.

T: Starts off sweet and malty, with blasts of honey. I can taste the candied sugar, with some sort of spice (like a mix of rosemary and cinnamon) along with hints of plums. In the finish, I get some earthy notes (dirt and grass). But the finish it's horrible.

M: Starts off syrupy and sweet, but finishes dry. Again, I get this dirt like quality. Yet, it's not off-putting.

O: I like this beer more than the regular Tsjeeses. The smells and flavors are very pleasant, and the it's a surprisingly easy drinking beer for something that is 10% ABV.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2011 21:10:44 | More by trxxpaxxs

homebrew311

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pouts a bright fire reddish orange, finger of white head, decent lacing, good retention

S: nose features big time candied cherries, along with bubblegum, a dash of lemon zest, oak hides in the background, some yeasty and spice tones in there as well

T: things start off with neutral malts and then quickly lean towards the sweet side with candi sugar, beet juice, red grapes, honey and a touch of bubble gum. The sweetness is well balanced by a brief wave of acidity and a spicy finish. Very nice.

Mf: medium body, high carbonation

O: this is a nice take on a winter ale, nice feature of spices withouth going overboard in the spice department.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 20:42:06 | More by homebrew311

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 33cl bottle into Chalice. Thanks to Kendall for hooking me up with this.

A. Poured 3 fingers of slighlty off white head. Great retention. Thick lacing. Color is darker than I was expecting for a Strong Pale Ale. Color is a light brown with some amber hues.

S. Smell is pretty strong. Can pick it up quite a ways away. First word to describe the smell would be sweet. Wow. Interesting smell as I finally bring the glass up to my nose. Almost smells like candy. Light fruit, with an almost tropical fruit smell mixed in. Pear, apple. After fruity sweetness, is a pretty good mix of some spices. Really interesting smell.

T. Taste is a pretty interesting contrast to the aroma. Get quite a bit of oaky/woody flavor going on. Not really sweet at all. Get some apple flavors towards the back of the tongue. Pretty dry flavor. Definitely has some earthy flavors to it. Pick up some of the herbal flavor as well, but hard to describe specific flavors. Has a pretty strong biscuity malt base

M. Medium/full bodied. Medium carbonation. Finishes pretty dry.

O. Probably one of the most unique BSPAs that I have had. Get a lot of woody/earthly flavors going on with a little bit of fruit and spice in the background. Unique beer. Glad to have had the opportunity to try it.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 20:35:24 | More by siradmiralnelson

seasonsix

New York

3.18/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

A - pours a murky golden brown, with a finger of head that dies down.

S - getting some winter spice and honey sweetness.

T - really sweet, sort of like a tripel on steroids - but the flavor leaves you just a little too soon. there is a heat to this beer that builds up as you sip it, which is really nice.

M - low carbonation, would of loved a bit more fizz with this type of beer.

O - Don't get me wrong - worth checking out. Hearty and well spiced christmas beer, I was just expecting the flavor to be a little more fleshed out.

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 13:57:22 | More by seasonsix

mrfrancis

Kentucky

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a hazy amber with a compact off-white head.

S: Aromas of cream, almonds, nougat, caramel, coriander, and cider apples fill the nose. Compared to the regular Tsjeeses, this beer smells much more refined and restrained.

T: Notes of cream, nougat, almonds, caramel, toffee, coriander, praline, cherry, peach, cider apple, orange, lemon, and grass are very present on the palate. The finish is warming and complex with cream, mixed fruit, and grassy hop notes being most prevalent.

M: Full bodied and initially syrupy, but it dries out quite nicely before the finish. The carbonation is unobtrusive, but firmer than that found in the regular Tsjeeses.

O: I quite enjoy this ale, which is a bit of a surprise considering that I did not care for the regular Tsjeeses at all. While I found the regular version of this beer to be crude, rough, and unrefined, this is smooth and complex with a great integration of flavors. Obviously the touch of ageing helped tremendously.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2011 13:26:04 | More by mrfrancis

lionchow

California

3.88/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a lightly hazy golden amber with a thick creamy white head. Lots of small CO2 bubbles rising in the glass.

A - A bit of spiced pear cider mixes well with a faint maltiness. Not very robust but nice.

F - Nicely balanced, cotton candy sugariness, pears, brown sugar, an earthy spiciness more reminiscent of chai tea than most spiced beers, but it is fairly mellow. A touch of yeasty spiciness as well. A bit of lingering bitterness in the finish.

M - A touch of alcohol burn with the good level of carbonation is nice.

Overall very well balanced and enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-12-2011 05:42:01 | More by lionchow

Kshock

California

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Pours a nice golden color, sits with a darker brown hue. Good white head that retains for a little while leaving some lacing but never completely dissipates.

S- Spicy estery yeast, a little alcohol. Nice nose.

T- sweetness with a little fruit behind it. Very clean finish that dries a little. very balanced considering the abv%.

M- very nice soft and light body with a little carb. Dries nicely into a very clean finish.

O- really nice beer, drinks dangerously easy. Well executed.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 01:26:08 | More by Kshock

largadeer

California

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330cl bottle, 2010 vintage.

Appearance: Amber colored with some haze to it, and a few floaties too, but largely clear. Pours with a tall white head that settles down to a collar after a minute.

Smell: Green apples, oak, spice - not sure what kind of barrel they used for this one, but the combination of yeast and oak has an apple brandy quality to me that's quite nice.

Palate: As the nose suggests, there's a good mix of apple fruitiness, spice and caramel malt. The barrel lends spicy, tannic oak and vanilla, which is quite complementary to the fruity yeast profile. The body is substantial, but not too heavy or sweet; it's also moderately dry in the finish, which lends a pleasant balance. Very good stuff, one of the better holiday beers I've tried.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2011 06:09:00 | More by largadeer

Mar02x

Netherlands

4.03/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked this up in Gent, Belgium in summer 2011.

A - Finger of creamy off-white foam settles to a thin cap and thicker collar. Good retention, even if there isn't a lot of head volume. Some thin fingers of lace are left behind. Hazy dark orange-brown, with some yellowish highlights at the edges.

S - Fresh yeast character, but not overly spicy or phenolic. I must say that I drunk this rather cold, so it might totally be different when it a bit warmer.

T - Taste has a oak, wood and some peat in the character, particularly in the finish. Perhaps some fresh bread in there as well. Very mellow for 10% - perhaps even a bit too smooth. If you ask me I would tell that there is also some cinnamon to be discovered.

M - Carbonation is low to medium, Finishes quite dry and oaky. No perceptible alcohol heat

D - Really drinkable stuff, and although its beautiful complex its not heavy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 12:41:11 | More by Mar02x

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

pours a cloudy, dull yellow tone while yielding an offwhite 1" head. slowly fades to a lasting cap; decent lacing.

nose is delivers a smattering of fruits: apple, maybe pear, and grape that combine with spice and belgian yeast to give this beer a rather interesting (in a good way) aroma.

flavor mostly follows the nose. very fruity - the above-mentioned plus a little more citric than what i picked up in the nose (esp orange). very good: fairly complex and enjoyable. medium bodied mouthfeel with medium carbonation.

overall i'm enjoying this a good deal. the more i drink it the more i like it. very impressive.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2011 04:05:09 | More by perrymarcus

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

from notes from a tasting a while back

hazy, golden yellow that just gurgled out of the glass. A slight touch of a white head came up across the top of the glass which settled down into a slight little bit of a crown that strung together throughout the session. Decent amount of side glass lace as well.

The aroma was extremely rich. Lots of fruity yeast coming through immediately after popping the cork. Some nice notes of peach and banana, hints of apricot and light wheat mixing in throughout. Very light grassy hop notes as it warms up as well as a touch of grapes. The flavor was extremely mellow and that was an understatement. Amazingly clean and complex, this was just stunning for the style and ABV. Rich notes of apricot and peach with light hoppy notes riddled throughout. Some decent light grain which really balanced the middle of the profile quite well. I was literally floored by the mellowness of this one. It is a huge Belgian style ale that really is just soo subtle, I found myself really just taking bigger and bigger sips as I went through it

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2011 01:52:57 | More by mikesgroove

MasterSki

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I think I picked this up in Belgium in summer 2009. Best before 12-12-2012, Lot B. Served in a Struise cervoise.

A - Finger of creamy off-white foam settles to a thin cap and thicker collar. Good retention, even if there isn't a lot of head volume. Some thin fingers of lace are left behind. Hazy dark orange-brown, with some yellowish highlights at the edges - even though I poured carefully I still manged to get some suspended sediment into my glass.

S - Intensely fruity aroma - apples, grapes, berries, and stone fruits - with a red wine and candi sugar backdrop. Some Belgian yeast character, but not overly spicy or phenolic. Oak character is fairly mild in the aroma - guessing this in was some sort of wine barrel that had been used a number of times.

T - Taste has more oak and wood character, particularly in the finish. More spicy yeast and significantly less sweet than the aroma suggests. Perhaps some fresh bread in there as well as a kiss of peaches. Shockingly mellow for 10% - perhaps even a bit too smooth.

M - Carbonation is moderate, with a slightly tannic and gritty medium-full body. Finishes quite dry and oaky. No perceptible alcohol heat, other than a slowly developing buzz over the course of the 33cl bottle.

D - I think this is an improvement over the base beer, which I found a little bit too sweet and boozy (although I may need to revisit it down the road). Really drinkable stuff, and definitely one of my favorite Christmas beers.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 21:40:53 | More by MasterSki

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 rate from one of the original 75cl bottles.

Pours a dark hazy orange. Nose of peaches, yeast, melon, and candi sugar. Flavor is nice...the oak is very subtle, but just kisses the finish with a wonderful, silky dry quality. The finish is just beautiful. I would have liked more complex layers, but it’s just a great beer, I think certainly better than the regular Tsjeeses.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2011 02:44:20 | More by JAXSON

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a two finger light khaki head that fades slowly to a thin layer leaving some lace. Medium carbonation and medium bodied. Hazy amber color with a ton of yeast left in bottle. Nose is sweet, fruity and flavor is malty, spicy, some dark fruit. High ABV is hidden. Much better than the Tsjeeses. Pricey at $9.95 for a 330ml bottle from Colonial Spirits, Acton, MA.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2011 22:31:42 | More by jdhilt

Neffbeer

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

33cl bottle marked Lot C,8,10 on the side of the label.
Poured into a tulip.

A: It pours a deep golden color border on amber with soft orange hues and decent clarity. After a careful pour there was a sizable two finger head with great retention. As the head fades it forms cloudy white caps and covers the sides of the glass with sticky lacing.

S: There is a spice filled bouquet up front with notes of coriander, mint, and clove. The hops are not lost in the mix as they provide a solid floral/herbal back drop. As the spices and hops fade strong notes of fruit emerge; peaches, grapes, apples, and apricots come to mind. It has a sweet center to the smell that very much reminds my of wildflower honey.

T: The flavors are magnificently complex and balanced at the same time. It maintains a strong spicy profile of coriander, clove, vanilla, and mint with a mild brush of alcohol and fruit. The hops have faded a bit on the palate, yet they still provide a pleasant floral note to the dry estery finish. There are hints of the oak, but overall it only adds to the overall profile.

M: Medium bodied with a deceptively viscous character.

O: I enjoyed this equally with the regular Tsjeeses. Overall the flavors are more rounded than the former, but who's to choose?

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2011 04:30:15 | More by Neffbeer