7.3

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

I heard about the regular tompouce beer the Dutch supermarket chain Hema had commissioned a while ago, but I had no idea that there was apparently an IPA version of it as well - containing, next to the usual ingredients, orange peel, orange juice (!), vanilla and lactose, the latter of which officially makes this a milkshake IPA... Big thanks to Sylvan for this oddity! Thick and firm, intricately cobweb-lacing, off-white, bit irregular but stable head, lightly hazed old golden robe with orange glow and strings of vivid sparkling in the middle, turning cloudy and deeper orange in the end. Aroma of old bread crust, old dried orange peel, radish, traces of vanilla but largely faded by now, ripe pear, pineapple, hints of mandarin, dry oat flakes, crumbled Graham crackers, dry straw. Spritzy onset, lots of minerally carbonation (a bit much for this style really), quite fruity in a cleanish way with hints of indeed orange but also pineapple, ripe pear and Granny Smith apple, smooth mouthfeel even if lacking a bit in the velvetiness the oat flakes should establish (probably due to that overcarbonation), sweet but not as sweet as expected considering the lactose. Still some creaminess is retained towards the end, around a cracker- and vaguely bread crust-like maltiness with biscuity hints, all coloured by a sweetish-spicy and crisp orange peel effect (though very little orange juice) and medium long, soft but effective, citric hoppiness adding a gently bitter note. The vanilla is all but gone by now - I assume this element must have been stronger when the beer was still fresh. Altogether juicy, citrusy and crisp, but far less sweet and creamy than I was expecting from the premise - if still generally sweet and a little bit creamy. Not nearly as weird as I was fearing, and actually quite enjoyable - a glimpse of sunshine in these cold and gloomy days.

7.1

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7.5

As this was sold by HEMA ( a dutch brand shop, that also has shops in Belgium - they're knnow for random cheap stuff) this beer actually received some traction, even had some trade value since it was instantly sold out... This made it funny to my sister since she had the chance too buy me a 'hype beer' I haven't had before, once it saw a second release. Must say, the can seems very.... soda like ? Sounds like a pastry forward beer as well, but let's give it a chance !
Pours fairly clear blonde. Big, stable white head. Scent is indeed expressive of orange and vanilla, both in similar volume - but not as chemical-forward as feared. Still, this is more of a candy-soda type scent, but that's what you get in a beer like this. Taste is fairly smooth, has some bitterness, is fairly creamy. Vanilla and orange are mildly expressed, the lactose makes this very creamy indeed. IPA part isn't completely lost, but the pastry takes the lead. It's not actually super-bad, I can see the appeal (which I assume is mostly a joke anyways) - though it's not a beer you'd think highly off on it's own, to have something like this in a shop like HEMA is fun. Now lets hope this opens the door to more serious craftbeer in big shops !

5.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

Can from HEMA. Clear golden-orange, stable, foamy, white head. Aroma of plum cake, peach, candied pineapple, honey, sugar, orange peel, juniper, gin even, herbs. Taste has sweet plum, pineapple & dried orange peel, sugary & creamy vanilla, in a honeyish malt body with softly bitter notes. Sweet finish, softly floral hoppy, more sweet candied fruit, vanilla cream and a weird gin-like alcohol accent. Medium body, slick texture, average carbonation. Too sweet and chemical.

6.8

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Can at home, darker orange beer, small head. Aroma is sweet, sugary, citrus, orange, Taste is the same, sugary, sweet, orange, bitter, sweet, not too bad.

6.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 5.5

2/VI/22 - 33cl can from Hema (Gent), shared @ afterwork drink, BB: 28/VIII/23 16:01 T3 (2022-637)

Clear orange beer, big creamy white head, pretty stable, adhesive, leaving a nice lacing in the glass. Aroma: fruity, oranges, some vanilla, some tropical fruits, hoppy, nice impression, smells pretty promising. MF: ok carbon, medium body. Taste: malty, vanilla, sweet, tictac mints (more fake vanilla), bitter, weird, hoppy. Aftertaste: more fake vanilla, bitter, a hint of tropical fruits, a little better than the regular Tompouce Ale, but still not great...

6.4

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 6.5

Can at final THT at Kwartje. Slight hazy golden. Orange, sweet malts, lactose, citrus zest, juicy and weedy hops. Medium sweet. Not too bad.

6

Wel lekker maar minder tompouce achtig dan de vorige versie

6.9

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6.5

On tap @ café den Tollensteghe.
Clear dark golden with a white head. Sweet orange and citrus aroma. Sweet taste with a low bitter finish. Nice, not too sweet, milkshake IPA.

6.9

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6.5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Proper pairing. Pale orange, plenty of frothy white head. Smell has loads of orange, in a bit shampooy way. Light body, very soft. Taste isn't too bad, bit sweet, light orange, easy. When paired, some hoppy bitterness appears, and brighter citrus. Fun!