Struise make some of our favourite barrel aged beers, but owing to limited availability (and cost), we don’t often get to feature them in our monthly beer packs. But the stars have aligned, and we get to present this little beauty this month.
Pannepot is the beer Struise first gained recognition for, soon after starting off as and is the base beer for a multitude of barrel aged versions. It is a spiced strong dark ale that has been nicknamed the Old Fisherman’s Ale, brewed in recognition of the dark beer favoured by the seasoned fishermen of French village of Panne.
This iteration was brewed in 2019 and then spent three years aging in a mix of wine and port barrels. And its no surprise that the aroma of this beer is all about the barrels. Lots of sweet red wine character, ripe berries and a touch of woody funk.
The flavour is also initially dominated by the red wine and port flavours. Sweet and thick, with raisins and berries, but in behind that is the Pannepot itself. A rich dark malty body with dark chocolate, caramel, plum, raisin, wood and a slight herbal acidity.
This beer has slept the whole period over which Covid played out but is now primed and ready for your drinking pleasure. Be sure to let it sit for a while if it has come from the fridge. You will get a lot more out of the flavours as it warms and opens up.