Brouwerij 't Ij Ijnde Jaars

The ostrich-obsessed 'tIj Brewery and pub in Amsterdam (all of their beers' labels feature an ostrich, apparently referring to something in Dutch vernacular- anyone with info on this is welcome to inform us on the details) makes a bunch of hefty, rich and tasty beers, and this new-year's-brew is one of the best of the bunch. It's unfiltered and unpasteurized for maximum flavor, and as with so many bottle-conditioned holiday beers, is at its best many months after the holiday in question. The thick, foamy head gives way to a host of flavors (butterscotch, raisins, roasted almonds) that persist, with a hint of more exotic spices (is the beer actually spiced like many holiday beers are? I don't know). In any case, I will be drinking this one all winter long, up to, including, and after the flip of the calendar page.