IJsbock - Woodchips In 40 Yrs Old Cognac
Brouwerij De Molen

Had this beer at the superb Borefts beerfestival 2009.

A: Dark-brown with a cream colored head.

S: Brandy, wood and peaty overule the malts.

T: Very strong brandy. In fact it's so strong that you wonder if they emptied the barrel before lagering the beer. Warming alcohol obviously, roasted malts, red fruits and a hint of cacao.

M: Low carbonation and a medum body.

D: Well, this should go in 18 cl bottles or something. A bit too woody for my taste. Better lager the beer on a brandy barrel instead.

This IJsbock is lagered with oak chips drenched in 40 yr old cognac. This beer was brewed for and introduced during the 1st Borefts bier festival (BBF 2009).

Poured into an original de Molen sniffer. The beer poured a dark brown color with an off-white head.

Smell: Cognac and wood all over the place. Peaty smoked smell. Roasted malts and some red fruits were also there.

Taste: Strong cognac and even stronger wood. The wood is maybe even a bit too aggressive. Again smokey peat, roasted malts, cacao and some fruits. Warming alcohol is present but is not too strong.

Mouthfeel: Medium-low carbonation, nice and smooth body. As mentioned before, warming alcohol is present and tingles the tongue, but one wouldn't say this is a 16.4% beer.

Overall: I have mixed feelings about this beer. At first, I really liked it, it is clearly an interesting experiment. And also a unique beer! But the more I had, the more I was disturbed by the overpowering wood and cognac in this beer. It just lacks some balance, and it is too aggressive. However, for a few sips, highly recommendable, for a whole bottle, better not!