3 - Indifferent (might buy, probably drink), Beer Reviews, Belgium, De Struise Brouwers, Winter Warmer

De Struise Tsjeeses Reserva Bourbon Barrel Aged

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Brewery: De Struise Brouwers
Country: Belgium
ABV: 10%
Style: Winter Warmer
Other Notes: 2014 Vintage

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Belgian X-Mas Ale, bourbon barrel aged.

My rating: 3
My beeradvocate.com rating: 3.9

Intro: A 330ml bottle, 2014 vintage, bottled on 9th November 2016. Poured into whatever glass I could find at the hotel.
Appearance: A cloudy copper brown colour, with a thin half finger tanned head, that dissipated fairly quickly, while leaving only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Sweet, candi sugar, plum, raisin, toffee, caramel, toasted bread, chocolate, oak, and bourbon.
Taste: Moderately sweet, plum, raisin, candi sugar, toffee, bourbon, oak, and a touch boozy and spicy on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: Good aroma and interesting flavours. I preferred the Port BA version more than this Bourbon BA version, but it could very well be that I let this one age for too long.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Belgium, De Dolle Brouwers

De Dolle Stille Nacht Reserva 2021

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Brewery: De Dolle Brouwers
Country: Belgium
ABV: 12%
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Other Notes: 2021 vintage

Brewer Description: As far as I could work out for the 2021, Stille Nacht aged for 2 years in barrels that once held red wine.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.13

Intro: A 330ml bottle, 2021 vintage, bottled in June 2023. Poured into whatever glass I could find at the hotel.
Appearance: A hazy golden dark orange colour, with a thin white head that dissipated quickly, while leaving only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Boozy, brandy soaked pineapple, apple juice, orange zest, oak, vanilla, with a brandy finish.
Taste: Sweet, orange, marmalade, pineapple, apricot, vinous, oak, vanilla, brandy.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: An enjoyable sipper with an especially wonderful aroma and strong barrel character.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Belgium, Lambic - Fruit, Pellicle Vergistingen

Pellicle Collision: Gelber Muskateller

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Brewery: Pellicle Vergistingen
Country: Belgium
ABV: 8%
Style: Lambic – Fruit
Other Notes: 2024 vintage

Brewer Description: (from bottle) This beer is a blend of 1 & 2 year old lambics and our very first self brewed beer from 2,5 years old. It was macerated on Gelber Muskateller grapes from Nahe, Germany and blended with 30% of wine made from the same grapes. Aged on ex-Bordeaux barrels.

My rating: 4+
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.49

Intro: A 750ml corked and capped bottle, with a best before date of May 2027. Poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.
Appearance: A mostly clear golden colour with a one finger white head that dissipated fairly quickly to a ring around the glass, while leaving only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Lightly tart, yellow stone fruit, peach, apricot, sweet fleshy white wine grapes, citrus orange notes, with some vinous notes.
Taste: Sour, tart, white wine grapes, yellow stone fruit, apricot, nectarines, citrusy, orange peel, a touch of honey, and light vinous notes with a slight funk on the finish.
Mouthfeel: Light to medium bodied with soft to moderate carbonation.
Overall: Great aroma and flavours, and just drinks really well.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Belgium, Lambic - Fruit, Pellicle Vergistingen

Pellicle Satureja

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Brewery: Pellicle Vergistingen
Country: Belgium
ABV: 6%
Style: Lambic – Fruit
Other Notes: 2024 vintage

Brewer Description: (from bottle) In 2022 we macerated Gorsem cherries on 2 year old lambic and barrel aged it after 6 months of maceration for another year. In 2023 we did the same; maceration of Gorsem cherries on 2 year old lambic for 6 months. We blended these 2 cherry lambics together and added fresh Satureja herb to them.

My rating: 4+
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.37

Intro: A 750ml corked and capped bottle, 2024 vintage, with a best before date of January 2027. Poured into a Tilquin stemmed glass.
Appearance: A very nice deep ruby red colour with a one finger pink head that had good retention, and left some nice lacing.
Aroma: Tart, cherry, blackberry, sweet mandarin, lemon zest, with a hint of thyme.
Taste: Sour, tart, cherry, marzipan notes, almond, lemon zest, and a hint of herbal like thyme (which I’m guessing is from the satureja).
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation.
Overall: Nice aroma and flavours with an interesting herbal touch that works well with the cherries.

4 - Good (buy), Beer Reviews, Bottle Logic Brewing, Stout - Pastry Imperial, USA

Bottle Logic Scatter Signal

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Brewery: Bottle Logic Brewing
Country: USA
ABV: 12%
Style: Stout – Pastry Imperial
Other Notes: Batch 003, 2022 release, Stasis Project, BA Imperial Mocha Stout

Brewer Description: (from bottle) Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels and finished w/ coffee, cacao nibs, and marshmallows.

My rating: 4
My beeradvocate.com rating: 4.17

Intro: A 500ml bottle, batch 003, 2022 release, poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Black in colour with a thin brown head that dissipated quickly, while leaving only sparse lacing.
Aroma: Sweet, roasted malts, milk chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, bourbon.
Taste: Much like the aroma, sweet, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, bourbon, booze.
Mouthfeel: Creamy, full bodied, with soft carbonation.
Overall: Great aroma and good flavours. It was not too sweet, and an enjoyable sipper.

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