The last few weeks, starting with a trip to Zuidam for their Genever, I’ve been branching out. I’ve placed tasting notes to Genevers, Rums and now a couple of beers. When I get to it I might do other stuff like cocktails, port, sherry and the likes. I did make the decision to not do wines, since there’s too much variety with big differences in annual batches, plus I don’t know shit about them…

Beers now! In my point of view a logical diversion from whisky, since a huge chunk of the process of making both is similar. If you take in account that lots of craft beers nowadays are barrel aged, it gets even more alike, apart from the distilling.

I bought a couple beers at Drinks & Gifts from brewery De Molen (The Mill) in Bodegraven. They are one of the more prominent Dutch craft beer breweries. Of course, there are others, but this one has the most ‘off the beaten path’ beers.

Sladek Hopburst
A IPA (India Pale Ale) with heaps of hops in it. A rather bitter beer with a nice edge of spices and herbs. The bitterness never overpowers the more malty flavour, which is good. The slight soury taste does remind me a bit of a sip of wash I had at Springbank and Laphroaig, but this is heaps better! The flavour really lingers, which doesn’t happen too often with a beer.

Hemel en Aarde (Heaven and Earth)
A dark Imperial Stout, brewed with Octomore malt from Bruichladdich. The smoke manifests really different than it does in a whisky. Its far less apparent in the scent. There is a smoky sweetness mingled in with the roasted malt. Not peaty at all, but I do get some coffee smells. The flavour is almost like an ashtray! Also heaps of moldy wood. The finish is quite long and a hint of freshness that I didn’t see coming. It all sounds nice, but the woody sweetness that is VERY present is something I can’t appreciate. I bought this one as confirmation. I really don’t like wood aged stouts…

Hel en Verdoemenis (Hell and Damnation)
This was another Imperial Stout made with English Brown Malts and matured in Wild Turkey barrels. It smells more roasted than the Hemel en Aarde variety with more chocolate and charcoal. It also has some very sweet woody sweetness but it also smells a lot like soy sauce. This continues into the taste and finish but there is also a very heavy and sweet undertone. You really understand the almost burnt malt.

And I still don’t like wood aged stouts, maybe even wood aged beers in general. I might have to try some more and I reckon I am going to visit De Molen this summer with some friends.

All these beers are available at selected liquor stores throughout the country, but I know you can get the stouts at De Molen, and all three of them at Drinks & Gifts.