Struise Tsjeeses Reserva (Bourbon Barrel Aged) | De Struise Brouwers
Brewed by:
De Struise Brouwers
Belgium | website
Style: Belgian Strong Pale Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
2011 Vintage - Pink & Purple label.
Added by MasterSki on 08-27-2012
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Reviews: 34 | Ratings: 172
4.75/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
From cervezasespeciales. In Teku glass. Watching John Wick. Although is prettt good, I prefer the flavor and aroma profile of the port version. In any case, a great brew
★ 169 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
From cervezasespeciales. In Teku glass. Watching John Wick. Although is prettt good, I prefer the flavor and aroma profile of the port version. In any case, a great brew
★ 169 characters
4.15/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Hazy dark orange color with huge, beige head. Aroma is intense on the dried, dark fruits like raisins and dates, along with brown sugar and a bit of bourbon in the background. Taste starts quite balanced, just a bit leaning on the sweet side. You get the dried fruits, burnt sugar, a bit of butterscotch and a slight molasses note. Finish is quite bitter, toasty and earthy. Body is medium to heavy with a good amount of carbonation that gets more mellow after it sits a bit in the glass. Quite nice overall, much better than the Port BA version. There isn't a ton of bourbon but I think that's ok, you can still taste the base beer with some nice bourbon notes in the background.
★ 680 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25
Hazy dark orange color with huge, beige head. Aroma is intense on the dried, dark fruits like raisins and dates, along with brown sugar and a bit of bourbon in the background. Taste starts quite balanced, just a bit leaning on the sweet side. You get the dried fruits, burnt sugar, a bit of butterscotch and a slight molasses note. Finish is quite bitter, toasty and earthy. Body is medium to heavy with a good amount of carbonation that gets more mellow after it sits a bit in the glass. Quite nice overall, much better than the Port BA version. There isn't a ton of bourbon but I think that's ok, you can still taste the base beer with some nice bourbon notes in the background.
★ 680 characters
4.37/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2013
Reddish hue, even the head has a slight reddish tint to it. Huge foamy head with big bubbles. Very belgian.
Unfortunately no bourbon on the nose. Faint at best.
Aroma: cherry is what i get most. Belgian yeast, dark fruits, specialty malts??
Flavor: very complex flavor. So much going on im finding it hard to isolate the flavors. Dark fruits, plums, faint cherry, slightly tart but sweet malty flavor too.
I didnt know what to expect besides bourbon and although i didnt really pick up on it, this is still a great beer.
★ 531 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2013
Reddish hue, even the head has a slight reddish tint to it. Huge foamy head with big bubbles. Very belgian.
Unfortunately no bourbon on the nose. Faint at best.
Aroma: cherry is what i get most. Belgian yeast, dark fruits, specialty malts??
Flavor: very complex flavor. So much going on im finding it hard to isolate the flavors. Dark fruits, plums, faint cherry, slightly tart but sweet malty flavor too.
I didnt know what to expect besides bourbon and although i didnt really pick up on it, this is still a great beer.
★ 531 characters
3.97/5 rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2013. Pours a nearly opaque red orange, fizzy off-white head. Smell: plenty of bourbon here, caramel, cherry, mildly boozed pear and plum, brown sugar. Taste: boozed pear and peach in syrup, cherry cola, fleeting toasted brown bread, brown sugar; herbal, vanilla note; oaky, bourbon-y, peach skin in the finish. Belgian barleywine with substantial but in no way dominating barrel contributions.
★ 394 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2013. Pours a nearly opaque red orange, fizzy off-white head. Smell: plenty of bourbon here, caramel, cherry, mildly boozed pear and plum, brown sugar. Taste: boozed pear and peach in syrup, cherry cola, fleeting toasted brown bread, brown sugar; herbal, vanilla note; oaky, bourbon-y, peach skin in the finish. Belgian barleywine with substantial but in no way dominating barrel contributions.
★ 394 characters
4.42/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2012 vintage. I was expecting a spiced up Belgian but no spices on the pallet, no barrel age notes either? just Carmel and warmth from the 10%. Very impressed, This has aged very well. definitely worth seeking out later vintages and enjoying during the holiday season. 4.50
★ 274 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
2012 vintage. I was expecting a spiced up Belgian but no spices on the pallet, no barrel age notes either? just Carmel and warmth from the 10%. Very impressed, This has aged very well. definitely worth seeking out later vintages and enjoying during the holiday season. 4.50
★ 274 characters
4.21/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
11.2 fluid ounce bottle into a Belgian tulip. Says it's a 2012 Reserva, but doesn't indicate any barrel-aging.
Foamy, compact, cream-colored head that dilly-dallies for ages. Lace drags down all sides of the glass forming a foamy wall. Beneath is a brown, plum skin-colored body with streaming carbonation apparent. 4.5
An aroma of orange peel, candy syrup and floral bouquet with some light coriander or some other table spice. Seems to lack some depth, as the first pass of the nose is about all the intrigue you'll find on this nose. 4
Continues to present a candy, say lollipop, flavor, a citrusy bite, and a bit of barrel quality, mainly oak and some spice. The flavor also offers robust floral flavor and sweet bready malt. I enjoy how this tastes. 4.25
Rich and full-bodied through 3/4 of the palate before a gentle carbonation entrance and mild booze. The sweetness takes on candy-like properties but never becomes too bothersome. The finish is semi-dry, yeasty lingering deal. 4.25
This is drinking quite well. Hard to know all the stats on this, but as it drinks, it is very enjoyable.
★ 1,101 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
11.2 fluid ounce bottle into a Belgian tulip. Says it's a 2012 Reserva, but doesn't indicate any barrel-aging.
Foamy, compact, cream-colored head that dilly-dallies for ages. Lace drags down all sides of the glass forming a foamy wall. Beneath is a brown, plum skin-colored body with streaming carbonation apparent. 4.5
An aroma of orange peel, candy syrup and floral bouquet with some light coriander or some other table spice. Seems to lack some depth, as the first pass of the nose is about all the intrigue you'll find on this nose. 4
Continues to present a candy, say lollipop, flavor, a citrusy bite, and a bit of barrel quality, mainly oak and some spice. The flavor also offers robust floral flavor and sweet bready malt. I enjoy how this tastes. 4.25
Rich and full-bodied through 3/4 of the palate before a gentle carbonation entrance and mild booze. The sweetness takes on candy-like properties but never becomes too bothersome. The finish is semi-dry, yeasty lingering deal. 4.25
This is drinking quite well. Hard to know all the stats on this, but as it drinks, it is very enjoyable.
★ 1,101 characters
4.07/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2012 vintage 11.2oz bottle poured allowed to warm for a while then poured into a snifter. Nonetheless, this improved with further warming in the glass.
A: Foam rose up the neck upon uncapping and would certainly have overflowed the bottle if not quickly emptied into my glass. It poured a murky & cloudy chestnut brown color with a well-proportioned, off-white head that had good, but not excellent, retention. Some spotty lacing left behind.
Aroma: Too much alcohol, but otherwise very nice, with a rich and complex mix of dark fruits and light spices and with a bready yeastiness.
Flavor - similar to the smell, but with more hidden alcohol, light woody notes, and a less pronounced fruitiness. Some mild barrel aging evident in the aftertaste.
Feel - Ample but soft (natural?) carbonation that's well matched to the flavor profile and medium body.
Overall: impressed by the feel, balance and complexity, I'll head back to get some more of this for Xmas gifts.
★ 972 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2012 vintage 11.2oz bottle poured allowed to warm for a while then poured into a snifter. Nonetheless, this improved with further warming in the glass.
A: Foam rose up the neck upon uncapping and would certainly have overflowed the bottle if not quickly emptied into my glass. It poured a murky & cloudy chestnut brown color with a well-proportioned, off-white head that had good, but not excellent, retention. Some spotty lacing left behind.
Aroma: Too much alcohol, but otherwise very nice, with a rich and complex mix of dark fruits and light spices and with a bready yeastiness.
Flavor - similar to the smell, but with more hidden alcohol, light woody notes, and a less pronounced fruitiness. Some mild barrel aging evident in the aftertaste.
Feel - Ample but soft (natural?) carbonation that's well matched to the flavor profile and medium body.
Overall: impressed by the feel, balance and complexity, I'll head back to get some more of this for Xmas gifts.
★ 972 characters
4.35/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2013 vintage. To me, Struise concoctions are either hit or miss, very few "meh" beers because they brew on the edge. This one is a definite hit. My new favorite Christmas beer!
★ 176 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2013 vintage. To me, Struise concoctions are either hit or miss, very few "meh" beers because they brew on the edge. This one is a definite hit. My new favorite Christmas beer!
★ 176 characters
4.14/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
2011 Edition; consumed in Mar 2015
A: Deep amber-brown, like a rotting apricot. SRM19-20ish. Minimal head, as expected, and recedes to a thin wispy white skin quickly.
S: Waxy-fruitlike scent, like a scented candle trying to mimic fruitcake. Stone fruits under barlywine, yeasty bread and stone fruits come to mind.
T: Follows the nose mostly with the yeast and stone fruits shining forward in a more highlighted fashion, figs and other dark fruits present too. Very clean and dry on the palette. Taste evolves as it warms, like the finest quads. Bourbon and Oak just a minor accent, but there
M: Carbonation is minimal (age?) alcoholic warmth is well-masked but present. There's a creaminess that is very pleasant.
Overall, a very nice beer even at 4 years. I have one more and I am torn about keeping it until Christmas as I do not feel like this beer has much time left in storage and the complex flavors are very enjoyable now. Drink now or forever hold your peace :)
★ 983 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
2011 Edition; consumed in Mar 2015
A: Deep amber-brown, like a rotting apricot. SRM19-20ish. Minimal head, as expected, and recedes to a thin wispy white skin quickly.
S: Waxy-fruitlike scent, like a scented candle trying to mimic fruitcake. Stone fruits under barlywine, yeasty bread and stone fruits come to mind.
T: Follows the nose mostly with the yeast and stone fruits shining forward in a more highlighted fashion, figs and other dark fruits present too. Very clean and dry on the palette. Taste evolves as it warms, like the finest quads. Bourbon and Oak just a minor accent, but there
M: Carbonation is minimal (age?) alcoholic warmth is well-masked but present. There's a creaminess that is very pleasant.
Overall, a very nice beer even at 4 years. I have one more and I am torn about keeping it until Christmas as I do not feel like this beer has much time left in storage and the complex flavors are very enjoyable now. Drink now or forever hold your peace :)
★ 983 characters
4.08/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very similar in taste profile as the normal Tsjeeses with a hefty fig, grape & apple flavors with some medium bready malt. It is huskier & slightly more mellow, and you can definitely sense the oak & even a very distant bourbon. Better than the normal Tsjeeses, if only because I felt that was a little sharp & boozey, the aging helps balance out the flavor profile.
★ 368 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Very similar in taste profile as the normal Tsjeeses with a hefty fig, grape & apple flavors with some medium bready malt. It is huskier & slightly more mellow, and you can definitely sense the oak & even a very distant bourbon. Better than the normal Tsjeeses, if only because I felt that was a little sharp & boozey, the aging helps balance out the flavor profile.
★ 368 characters
4.2/5 rDev +1.4%
Pours a medium brown color with minimum head, seems pretty carbonated. A TON of sediment on the bottom. Wow, on first sip this is a delicious beer. As soon as it hits my tongue the first thing i taste is dark fruit such as raisins and dates, a touch of caramel to give it some sweetness, and cinnamon. Then comes the bourbon taste with a little bit of oak. This causes the overall taste to be slightly sweet, any more and I may not have enjoyed it as much as I did. The more you drink the more your taste buds will be overwhelmed by the rushes of flavor. This is one of my favorite Christmas beers to date.
★ 613 characters
Pours a medium brown color with minimum head, seems pretty carbonated. A TON of sediment on the bottom. Wow, on first sip this is a delicious beer. As soon as it hits my tongue the first thing i taste is dark fruit such as raisins and dates, a touch of caramel to give it some sweetness, and cinnamon. Then comes the bourbon taste with a little bit of oak. This causes the overall taste to be slightly sweet, any more and I may not have enjoyed it as much as I did. The more you drink the more your taste buds will be overwhelmed by the rushes of flavor. This is one of my favorite Christmas beers to date.
★ 613 characters
4.25/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a browned golden with nice resilient creamy looking white head and nice spotty lacing.
Smell is bourbon, barleywine-y, a tad vinous. Seems a little crayony which reminds me of other De Struise BA beers- perhaps oxidation, or perhaps the barrel, perhaps a bit of both. It's hard to tell. Bit of mint and menthol, somehow it almost reminds me of Gratitude.
Taste is surprisingly smoky at first, tastes almost like this was aged in Scotch barrels. The smoke isn't overbearing at all though, merely an opening and then a a conclusion to the fruity flavours. Quite drying and even bitter in the finish. Probably just the bourbon bite manifesting itself as smoke and a burnt quality.
Mouthfeel has hints of mint, of course the aforementioned smoke. A wee bit of sourness. Decently sweet but can't really nail this down as either dry or sweet- it bounces around a bit. Barrel is dry, base beer is kinda sweet.
Definitely reminds me of the base beer with a nice BA element added. Leagues ahead of the Port version.
★ 1,016 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours a browned golden with nice resilient creamy looking white head and nice spotty lacing.
Smell is bourbon, barleywine-y, a tad vinous. Seems a little crayony which reminds me of other De Struise BA beers- perhaps oxidation, or perhaps the barrel, perhaps a bit of both. It's hard to tell. Bit of mint and menthol, somehow it almost reminds me of Gratitude.
Taste is surprisingly smoky at first, tastes almost like this was aged in Scotch barrels. The smoke isn't overbearing at all though, merely an opening and then a a conclusion to the fruity flavours. Quite drying and even bitter in the finish. Probably just the bourbon bite manifesting itself as smoke and a burnt quality.
Mouthfeel has hints of mint, of course the aforementioned smoke. A wee bit of sourness. Decently sweet but can't really nail this down as either dry or sweet- it bounces around a bit. Barrel is dry, base beer is kinda sweet.
Definitely reminds me of the base beer with a nice BA element added. Leagues ahead of the Port version.
★ 1,016 characters
4.55/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Not sure which 'reserva' I got here. It says 'Nr. 11 Xmas brew' 'Aged 6 months on oak' (not clear which oak, but nevermind)... bb 12-12-2012.
Bought it today.
Beer is murky brown, thin beige head.
Smell is very very good. It's fruity, tart like some wine (makes me think I could have the port barrel after all). Taste is mild and bittersweet. Malt and caramel, some figs, some cream too. Incredibly soft mouthfeel, the abv is very well covered. You wouldn't think it's 10%. Very smooth and drinkable.
Struise has become one of my favourite Belgian brewers. Surely top 5, likely top 3. A must try. Very recommended indeed.
★ 623 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Not sure which 'reserva' I got here. It says 'Nr. 11 Xmas brew' 'Aged 6 months on oak' (not clear which oak, but nevermind)... bb 12-12-2012.
Bought it today.
Beer is murky brown, thin beige head.
Smell is very very good. It's fruity, tart like some wine (makes me think I could have the port barrel after all). Taste is mild and bittersweet. Malt and caramel, some figs, some cream too. Incredibly soft mouthfeel, the abv is very well covered. You wouldn't think it's 10%. Very smooth and drinkable.
Struise has become one of my favourite Belgian brewers. Surely top 5, likely top 3. A must try. Very recommended indeed.
★ 623 characters
4.19/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip. 2011 vintage.
(A)- Pours a murky & cloudy pale chestnut brown color. Produced some really nice off-white froth with some surprising retention. Even some lacing left behind.
(S)- First thing that comes to mind is rich fruitcake. It has a depth to it in a rich and sweet way along with a dry oaky boozy raisin aroma. Some fig, dark fruits, and a bready yeastiness; just like a fruitcake.
(T)- Quite similar to the smell, only the yeast presence definitely lets itself known more. A bit dry but also a great combo of a nutmeg, toffee, raisin, and dark fruit flavor profiles. Just a twinge of the bourbon barrel at the end.
(M)- A great carbonation level and balance to this. The bourbon barrel does not throw its weight around and it meshes very well with the rich yet not overly sweet beer base. The bitterness does go up a few notches as it warms, but it only gets better with that little bit.
(O)- Everytime I have a beer by Struise, I am always thoroughly impressed by their complexity, their drinkability, and just that little something different to put it over the top and this one is no different. I have not had this fresh, but with the little time on this has really seemed to settle any strong booziness it might have had, while integrating the barrel into something really good. I will track down more of this to have around Christmas time
★ 1,387 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
11.2oz bottle poured into a tulip. 2011 vintage.
(A)- Pours a murky & cloudy pale chestnut brown color. Produced some really nice off-white froth with some surprising retention. Even some lacing left behind.
(S)- First thing that comes to mind is rich fruitcake. It has a depth to it in a rich and sweet way along with a dry oaky boozy raisin aroma. Some fig, dark fruits, and a bready yeastiness; just like a fruitcake.
(T)- Quite similar to the smell, only the yeast presence definitely lets itself known more. A bit dry but also a great combo of a nutmeg, toffee, raisin, and dark fruit flavor profiles. Just a twinge of the bourbon barrel at the end.
(M)- A great carbonation level and balance to this. The bourbon barrel does not throw its weight around and it meshes very well with the rich yet not overly sweet beer base. The bitterness does go up a few notches as it warms, but it only gets better with that little bit.
(O)- Everytime I have a beer by Struise, I am always thoroughly impressed by their complexity, their drinkability, and just that little something different to put it over the top and this one is no different. I have not had this fresh, but with the little time on this has really seemed to settle any strong booziness it might have had, while integrating the barrel into something really good. I will track down more of this to have around Christmas time
★ 1,387 characters
4.03/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330ml bottle poured into tulip 8/10/13, cheers MasterSki and Sean9689 for sending the bottle
A slow gush but you have time to get every drop in the glass, dark amber with plenty of sediment and bubbles, large cream colored foam slowly falls to a thick film caking my glass once it fell
S some apple, raisins, faint winter spice, lots of caramel, musty yeast, a little wood but I'm not sure if I'd guess it was BB aged, a little booze but fairly mellow, a nice mix on the nose
T more barrel in the mouth with some vanilla and oak that wasn't as noticeable on the nose, still lots of spicy fruit and caramel
M leaning towards full, less bubbles then I could see in the glass, a little heat, sticky lips with very mellow tannins
O solid beer in my books, easy to drink for a strong ale, not something I'd want all the time but worked well with this chilly evening
not my favorite from these guys but a pleasant experience nonetheless, something I'd drink again
★ 968 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330ml bottle poured into tulip 8/10/13, cheers MasterSki and Sean9689 for sending the bottle
A slow gush but you have time to get every drop in the glass, dark amber with plenty of sediment and bubbles, large cream colored foam slowly falls to a thick film caking my glass once it fell
S some apple, raisins, faint winter spice, lots of caramel, musty yeast, a little wood but I'm not sure if I'd guess it was BB aged, a little booze but fairly mellow, a nice mix on the nose
T more barrel in the mouth with some vanilla and oak that wasn't as noticeable on the nose, still lots of spicy fruit and caramel
M leaning towards full, less bubbles then I could see in the glass, a little heat, sticky lips with very mellow tannins
O solid beer in my books, easy to drink for a strong ale, not something I'd want all the time but worked well with this chilly evening
not my favorite from these guys but a pleasant experience nonetheless, something I'd drink again
★ 968 characters
3.47/5 rDev -16.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle from Etre Gourmet. Served in a snifter.
A - It's a gusher. White foam settles to a collar, wisps, and minimal lacing. Hazed amber-orange body.
S - Very oaky, with tons of fruity yeast esters and a bit of peppery spice. Minimal bourbon character; I probably would have guessed wine or even fresh oak barrels to be honest. Malt imparts some candi sugar and red fruit flavors.
T - Taste is similarly high on fruity Belgian yeast, and oak, with perhaps a bit more vanilla this time around. Bourbon is nearly undetectable. The flavor seems somewhat muted relative to the aroma, and what is there is mostly yeast and wood. Alcohol is well-concealed, I guess.
M - Medium body, with pleasant moderate carbonation. Very oaky and dry, with a crisp and surprisingly clean finish. Minimal alcohol warmth.
D - I'm wondering if an infection cleaned out a lot of the residual sugars. Pretty disappointing, and very little of the advertised bourbon character; guessing the barrels dried out too much before they were used. I preferred the port version, but I guess I'm in the minority.
★ 1,081 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Bottle from Etre Gourmet. Served in a snifter.
A - It's a gusher. White foam settles to a collar, wisps, and minimal lacing. Hazed amber-orange body.
S - Very oaky, with tons of fruity yeast esters and a bit of peppery spice. Minimal bourbon character; I probably would have guessed wine or even fresh oak barrels to be honest. Malt imparts some candi sugar and red fruit flavors.
T - Taste is similarly high on fruity Belgian yeast, and oak, with perhaps a bit more vanilla this time around. Bourbon is nearly undetectable. The flavor seems somewhat muted relative to the aroma, and what is there is mostly yeast and wood. Alcohol is well-concealed, I guess.
M - Medium body, with pleasant moderate carbonation. Very oaky and dry, with a crisp and surprisingly clean finish. Minimal alcohol warmth.
D - I'm wondering if an infection cleaned out a lot of the residual sugars. Pretty disappointing, and very little of the advertised bourbon character; guessing the barrels dried out too much before they were used. I preferred the port version, but I guess I'm in the minority.
★ 1,081 characters
3.77/5 rDev -8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
33cl bottle - 2011 vintage, batch 11. Pours an amber hue with a loose, half inch, off-white head that dissipates into a consistent soapy skim. Nose expresses ethanol, candi sugar and something slightly herbal. Taste follows nose with a hint of toffee and candied fruit, but some hops bittering cuts through the flavor profile. A trace of anise and medicinal at the back. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a slightly oily texture. Carbonation is lively - a bit too assertive and somewhat gassy. Overall, this beer comes off as a barrel-aged Belgian Strong Pale. I liked, but didn't love this beer as there really was no impression of the bourbon character present for me. Pretty much the same as the Port version in my opinion; however this offering had a more pronounced ethanol character.
★ 794 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
33cl bottle - 2011 vintage, batch 11. Pours an amber hue with a loose, half inch, off-white head that dissipates into a consistent soapy skim. Nose expresses ethanol, candi sugar and something slightly herbal. Taste follows nose with a hint of toffee and candied fruit, but some hops bittering cuts through the flavor profile. A trace of anise and medicinal at the back. Mouthfeel is light-medium in body with a slightly oily texture. Carbonation is lively - a bit too assertive and somewhat gassy. Overall, this beer comes off as a barrel-aged Belgian Strong Pale. I liked, but didn't love this beer as there really was no impression of the bourbon character present for me. Pretty much the same as the Port version in my opinion; however this offering had a more pronounced ethanol character.
★ 794 characters
3.92/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours up a murky apple juice look. Decent white head, subtle lacing. Smells of green sour apples, lemons, candy sugar. Tastes is a trip. It starts with a crispy Belgian carbo bite, subtle caramel malts explode into tart fruits. Banana peel, cherries, red apples. Then muttles into an earthy, oaky, lil bit of vanilla finish. Musty, yet clean. Sticky mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Very tasty you rapscallions.
★ 404 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours up a murky apple juice look. Decent white head, subtle lacing. Smells of green sour apples, lemons, candy sugar. Tastes is a trip. It starts with a crispy Belgian carbo bite, subtle caramel malts explode into tart fruits. Banana peel, cherries, red apples. Then muttles into an earthy, oaky, lil bit of vanilla finish. Musty, yet clean. Sticky mouthfeel. Medium bodied. Very tasty you rapscallions.
★ 404 characters
4.02/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle: Poured a deep clear hazy brown color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of candi sugar with caramelized malt, light toffee and some light bourbon notes are also perceptible. Taste is a very drinkable mix between some caramelized malt with light toffee notes with some residual candi sugar notes, candy ester and some light bourbon notes with some vanilla also perceptible. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. I was expecting the bourbon notes to be more apparent but this is still a very enjoyable and easily drinkable beer.
★ 601 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle: Poured a deep clear hazy brown color ale with a large foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of candi sugar with caramelized malt, light toffee and some light bourbon notes are also perceptible. Taste is a very drinkable mix between some caramelized malt with light toffee notes with some residual candi sugar notes, candy ester and some light bourbon notes with some vanilla also perceptible. Body is about average with good carbonation and no apparent alcohol. I was expecting the bourbon notes to be more apparent but this is still a very enjoyable and easily drinkable beer.
★ 601 characters
4/5 rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from La Cervoiserie, and tasted in 2013.
Appearance : amber color with tan foamy head.
Smell : caramel, yeasty and bourbon aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : sweet malty and light fruity flavors, spicy and woody finish.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style Belgian Strong Ale (vintage 2011).
★ 319 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Beer bottle (33 cl.) purchased from La Cervoiserie, and tasted in 2013.
Appearance : amber color with tan foamy head.
Smell : caramel, yeasty and bourbon aromas.
Taste & mouthfeel : sweet malty and light fruity flavors, spicy and woody finish.
Drinkability : a good beer in the style Belgian Strong Ale (vintage 2011).
★ 319 characters
3.55/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Tsjeeses Reserva (Bourbon Barrel Aged). 10%. Bottle served into a Samuel Smith's nonic glass at a tasting. Reviewed from notes.
A: Pours a one finger khaki colour head ofnice cream and thickness. Retention is impressive for the high ABV; around two minutes. Body colour is a clear copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.
Sm: Pale malts, caramel, spice, ginger, cane sugar, honey, pineapple, bright fruit, and honey sweetness. A moderate strength aroma.
T: Spice, cane sugar, pale malts, honey, fruit acidity on the climax, ginger, malty sweetness, and an oak tone. Subtle hints of artificial vanilla. I get hardly any bourbon or stonefruit. A bit imbalanced.
Mf: Quite tingly and wet. Good thickness and carbonation.
Dr: Quite drinkable for the high ABV. I like it, but the bourbon is very restrained. Alcohol does come through a bit. Another solid brew from De Struise.
Low B
★ 904 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
Tsjeeses Reserva (Bourbon Barrel Aged). 10%. Bottle served into a Samuel Smith's nonic glass at a tasting. Reviewed from notes.
A: Pours a one finger khaki colour head ofnice cream and thickness. Retention is impressive for the high ABV; around two minutes. Body colour is a clear copper. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.
Sm: Pale malts, caramel, spice, ginger, cane sugar, honey, pineapple, bright fruit, and honey sweetness. A moderate strength aroma.
T: Spice, cane sugar, pale malts, honey, fruit acidity on the climax, ginger, malty sweetness, and an oak tone. Subtle hints of artificial vanilla. I get hardly any bourbon or stonefruit. A bit imbalanced.
Mf: Quite tingly and wet. Good thickness and carbonation.
Dr: Quite drinkable for the high ABV. I like it, but the bourbon is very restrained. Alcohol does come through a bit. Another solid brew from De Struise.
Low B
★ 904 characters
3.42/5 rDev -17.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2011 vintage
Pours murky coppery-amber body with orangeish glow, capped by an inch of beige head that
eventually sets to stable veil.
The advertised bourbon barrel is nearly imperceivable to the nose initially, but grows as
the beer warms. Aroma is mostly spice and fruits: spicy phenols and esters reminiscent of
oxidized apple slices, sultanas and oranges play the dominant role supported by brown sugar and musty undertones.
The bourbon that yields warming sensation is obnoxiously evident when it comes to the flavor
featuring prominent oak-character, apple, orange and sultanas, peppery phenols and phenolic
bitterness that lasts throughout the finish. The bourbon is just to hot and doesn't integrate
well - the abandoned non-bourbon oak barrel-aged version was a way better.
Bourbon barrel-aging is a great tool to hide flaws of poorly crafted brew or to add complexity to the base-beer. Neither is needed with Tsjeeses. It's a pity so many brewers succumb to the BBA trend to please the masses even at the cost of spoiling the beer. (330 ml, BB 12-26-2017, into tulip).
★ 1,089 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
2011 vintage
Pours murky coppery-amber body with orangeish glow, capped by an inch of beige head that
eventually sets to stable veil.
The advertised bourbon barrel is nearly imperceivable to the nose initially, but grows as
the beer warms. Aroma is mostly spice and fruits: spicy phenols and esters reminiscent of
oxidized apple slices, sultanas and oranges play the dominant role supported by brown sugar and musty undertones.
The bourbon that yields warming sensation is obnoxiously evident when it comes to the flavor
featuring prominent oak-character, apple, orange and sultanas, peppery phenols and phenolic
bitterness that lasts throughout the finish. The bourbon is just to hot and doesn't integrate
well - the abandoned non-bourbon oak barrel-aged version was a way better.
Bourbon barrel-aging is a great tool to hide flaws of poorly crafted brew or to add complexity to the base-beer. Neither is needed with Tsjeeses. It's a pity so many brewers succumb to the BBA trend to please the masses even at the cost of spoiling the beer. (330 ml, BB 12-26-2017, into tulip).
★ 1,089 characters
4.06/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on 2013-01-24 in Columbia, PA. This is lot C/8/10 (from the code on the bottle)
A - Fairly clear with some particulates orange-brown with a 1/2-finger off-white head and mild lacing.
S - Belgian yeast funk, some sour, overly-ripe apricot, spice.
T - Figgy pudding, plum, holiday spices, orange marmalade, light bourbon and tart apricot. It's pretty sweet but yields to drying alcohol and moderate hop bitterness.
M - Medium body and light-medium carbonation. Semi-smooth yet prickly.
O - I like this quite a bit better than the regular Tsjeeses I had earlier in the month. The bourbon barrel aging helped moderate some of the sweetness.
★ 654 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this on 2013-01-24 in Columbia, PA. This is lot C/8/10 (from the code on the bottle)
A - Fairly clear with some particulates orange-brown with a 1/2-finger off-white head and mild lacing.
S - Belgian yeast funk, some sour, overly-ripe apricot, spice.
T - Figgy pudding, plum, holiday spices, orange marmalade, light bourbon and tart apricot. It's pretty sweet but yields to drying alcohol and moderate hop bitterness.
M - Medium body and light-medium carbonation. Semi-smooth yet prickly.
O - I like this quite a bit better than the regular Tsjeeses I had earlier in the month. The bourbon barrel aging helped moderate some of the sweetness.
★ 654 characters
4.02/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Can't believe I made it to the Struise school house. This beer was one of the few I picked up while there.
Pours out a coppery/amber that is slightly hazy and full of visible carbonation. Slightly off-white head.
Smells of sweet berry, cherry, and pear fruitiness, wood from the barrel, spice and some alcohol.
More alcohol and spice coming in the taste. Fruity and yeasty as well. When warmed you get much more barrel character.
Lots of carbonation on this bad boy. Scrubs the hell out of your tongue.
Such an interesting brew. A must try from these Belgian dudes!
★ 572 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
Can't believe I made it to the Struise school house. This beer was one of the few I picked up while there.
Pours out a coppery/amber that is slightly hazy and full of visible carbonation. Slightly off-white head.
Smells of sweet berry, cherry, and pear fruitiness, wood from the barrel, spice and some alcohol.
More alcohol and spice coming in the taste. Fruity and yeasty as well. When warmed you get much more barrel character.
Lots of carbonation on this bad boy. Scrubs the hell out of your tongue.
Such an interesting brew. A must try from these Belgian dudes!
★ 572 characters
Struise Tsjeeses Reserva (Bourbon Barrel Aged) from De Struise Brouwers
4.14
out of 5
based on 172 ratings.
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
2013 Reserva.
A- Pours into a snifter with a red-brownish muddy appearance and a small off-white, light tan cap forming just a thin sheet atop the brew. This frothy pillow dies down to a thin ring and spotty lacing is rare.
S- Really just reminds me of the base brew that has been aged a few years and the barrel is all but lacking at this stage. A massive dose of dusty old, spiced dried dark fruits and sweet long-chain sugars. Toasty brown barley.
T- For the most part similar to the nose with the barrel bringing just a touch of faded out, degraded old oak wood and a tiny bit of vanilla. A bushel of dark fruits that have been dried like raisin, dates and sweet plums. Belgian yeast spiciness and yeasty bread tie things up.
MF- A really thick body with an oily, slick feeling on the palate. Carbonation is towards the lower side but perfectly appropriate with the rich flavors present.
A barrel-aged brew that feels like it really went into a barrel that was mostly devoid of spirit or re-used. A great base brew that ages like a fine wine but a bit of bourbon influence would bring this over the top.
★ 1,112 characters