Columbus - Brouwerij 't IJ

Shovelbum

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a massive rocky cream colored head that rises up out of tulip, but maintains its structural integrity until it slowly recedes back into its amber tinted amber body. Huge amount of honeycomb-like lace left clinging to the glass. Fairly hazy. Aromas of apricot and straw rise from my glass before it’s even been raised. Upon closer olfactory inspection there’s a big lemony tart aroma along with more mild level of pepper spice. The taste is similarly tart up front and toward the finish, but in the middle a nice biscuit character comes through. A bit of a mineral/ saltine cracker character comes through as it warms and a the tartness becomes more hay-like than citric. A nice spicy bitterness is present throughout. Well-carbonated and as a result it has a very light mouthfeel and the 9% ABV seems like a gross exaggeration.

The tartness walks up to the edge of excess, but exercises restraint at the last second. This ale definitely improves and mellows out as it warms. The tartness complements the other flavors rather than overpowers them and you can begin to pick up more of the malt character. Still this ale has some serious Belgian funk going on!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2006 03:06:01 | More by Shovelbum

DStoked

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

05-17-2013 18:25:49 | More by DStoked

metter98

New York

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

On-tap at Brouwerij 't Ij, Amsterdam, Netherlands

A: The beer is hazy amber yellow in color. It poured with a finger high off white head that died down, leaving a thin head covering the surface and some lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Aromas of pale malts are present in the nose along with some hints of spices and floral hops.
T: The taste has flavors of pale malts and some hints of malty sweetness along with a light amount of bitterness. Some hints of alcohol are perceptible.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer seems a little heavier mouthfeel compared to other beers in the style and is definitely a sipper given its alcohol content.

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 05:12:18 | More by metter98

Bandi

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -16%

04-16-2013 20:47:52 | More by Bandi

Elbrownbag

Netherlands

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%

04-14-2013 18:48:14 | More by Elbrownbag

andrenalina

4.5/5  rDev +16.3%

02-26-2013 20:12:13 | More by andrenalina

sansho

Tennessee

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

02-03-2013 01:21:25 | More by sansho

nico_freespirit

4.35/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

It's a nice beer, really special when you're smelling it, at first it smells once open the cap like a bakery, recent bread is a strong smell but so nice. It's full of sediments, its high graduation doesn't seems once you drink it. I'm tasting it at room temperature and its flavour is much stronger than other belgian pale ales, it's sweet and doughy, for me is like eating bread recently out of the oven. Definetly I like this beer so much, I think that dutch beers have a huge potential that is not operating in Spain..

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 22:29:13 | More by nico_freespirit

supermeniscus

Netherlands

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

11-27-2012 12:08:01 | More by supermeniscus

HiPpYcHoP

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

10-06-2012 19:52:12 | More by HiPpYcHoP

safaricook

Netherlands

3.75/5  rDev -3.1%

09-01-2012 16:58:24 | More by safaricook

WynnO

Florida

3/5  rDev -22.5%

08-26-2012 04:02:51 | More by WynnO

AlexM

California

4/5  rDev +3.4%

04-15-2012 18:22:07 | More by AlexM

kja157

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +29.2%

03-19-2012 21:33:19 | More by kja157

brinch

Denmark

3/5  rDev -22.5%

03-16-2012 21:17:52 | More by brinch

farundrpar

Netherlands

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%

01-08-2012 12:19:58 | More by farundrpar

jophish17

Georgia

3/5  rDev -22.5%

12-24-2011 07:09:55 | More by jophish17

uturn

Florida

4/5  rDev +3.4%

12-01-2011 18:15:38 | More by uturn

rekel

Netherlands

4/5  rDev +3.4%

11-30-2011 17:05:52 | More by rekel

Rochefort10nh

New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +3.4%

11-25-2011 14:42:39 | More by Rochefort10nh

nickfl

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +9.8%

11-15-2011 07:29:27 | More by nickfl

Sunnanek

Sweden

3.45/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours warm amber with a really tall white compact head that takes some time to dissipate into rather nice lacings.

S: Kind of artificial, dry bitter hops. Spices and some sour malt. Green apples.

T: Sour and a bit bitter. Malt is dry. Spicy, peppers. Yeast. Green apples and bitter orange sezt.

M: Sour long aftertaste. Body is smooth and medium, but very creamy, almost buttery. Low carbonation.

O: Very uneven. In some parts - great, in others - not so much. The good parts make me think of a Biere de Garde, rather than an Belgian Pale Ale.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2011 18:38:25 | More by Sunnanek

sfprint

Germany

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

exp 4/12
A: amber/red, suspended bits of sediment, even 3 finger head, little rising carbonation.
S: phenols blended well with the rest, very nostril dilating, plum/apricot jam.
T: Alcohol is more promenant than the phenols in the taste, but the alcohol sits pretty well for the percentage, but the alcohol/phenol action give it a somewhat tart quality. Otherwise difficult to describe. Nice. Neutral but nice flavor. Unsweet apricot. Smoke.
M: Fairly creamy, tinge astringent.
O: Decent, with some nice characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 03:57:32 | More by sfprint

pleasewearpants

California

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very hazy burnt orange color. Tight beige head that hangs around for the entire time. Some nice lacing down the sides.
Immediate first thought on aroma is martinelli's apple juice and light citrus. Awesome! Slight yeasty notes as the beer warms up.
Flavor is very complex. Sweet to bitter to light grain back to bitter. Not hot at all for being 9%. I'd really like to sit outside and drink this from a big goblet. Great carbonation too.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2011 01:08:31 | More by pleasewearpants

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Rich complex and long brew, quite the surprise.

Presentation: 33ml brown capped bottle. Romboid label with a burgundy and light cream design presided by the emblem of the ostrich with a boat in the horizon. Notes main characteristics, and 9% Alc. by Vol. Served in a tulip glass.

A - Hazy amber pour, towering frothy head, great retention, rich creamy surface memory with strong lacing. A looker to remember...

S - Good nose with citric hoppy touches and caramel, hint of earthy funk...

T - Rich step up from the nose… Long and complex bitterness, grapefruit, touches of grass… tied to caramel and touches of toffee as it finishes. Hints of small earthy funk mid palate with a nice fruity touch.

M - Medium body with medium carbonation, rides nicely with the bitterness leading to a smooth and softy creamy finish.

O - Great experience, extraordinary range and appearance.

Notes: Took me by surprise, this one is complex and pleasing on all sides. A tad too pricey but not too much from this Dutch importer. Thank you Toño for the recommendation and treat. (Their dark BSA is good but another beast altogether. Right now this one is the winner with a difference.)

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2011 04:03:14 | More by Daniellobo