De la Senne Black in Japan

7.2%


Another local Brussels brew in addition to the tranche of rarities I managed to smuggle back post EU economic forecast. I'll keep this one brief.

This lively little brew pours with a truly rich, deep, dark mahogany body - little penetration so in low light appears black, a black IPA nonetheless.

On the nose this inverted commas IPA is full of molasses and a touch of wet leather, alongside some traditional Belgian yeast character and a some citric hop notes.

Taste is a combination of a thick spattering of bittering hops, chalky texture and some lingering roasted malt alongside acetone and estery sugars.

The end leaves a bitterness akin to something typically modern and English in the IPA vain - twitchy and sticky lingering hop notes along with toast, roasted malts and a dry, slightly tannic character.

Worth a peak - Flavoursome porter meets hops in a slightly confuddled but nonetheless tasty mess.

Zuider Bierke - TASTING NOTES

8.2%, Belgian Dubbel/dark ale

Following yet another recent excursion to the flat country for business and financial journalistic purposes, the trip - on the few hours of free time - led me to Beer Planet once again to stock up on a few brews for the travel home.

Aside from the raft of rare De Struise beers I tend to weigh my luggage down with, a few randomly selected Belgians made their way into my luggage.

On the nose this subtle little dark ale has a less than subtle nose - initially I thought I was dealing with a rich and acerbic oud bruin - as the slightly hazy maroon body and off white head would lead you to believe.

Nose? Sticky background dark sugars backed up by candied sugar and a a sharp sherbet and acid backbone. Sour grapes and a hint of acetone, dark fruit and 'astrobelts'.

The palete much less complex, however. Surprisingly thin body but a beer of this heft with dry, yeasty dark fruit and a touch of sweetness - but brief on the tongue. Once the carbonation mellows, some slight buttery diacetyl, a touch vegetal.

Lasting dry and lingering blandness on the palete - little dull and lifeless.

A suitably drinkable dark ale, a worthy addition to anyone's 20kg check-in weight limit, but not worth jumping back on Aer Lingus for an immediate return.