Big Fat 5 DIPA – ABV 8%

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Het Uiltje’s award-winning Double IPA brewed for the 5th anniversary of Beer Temple in Amsterdam is a celebration of of pine, grapefruit and malts.

Look: The beer pours golden with a good level of carbonation, thin white head and lots of lacing.

Aroma: Pine, passionfruit and mango and on the palate with bitterness of pine needles against a malty base that really balances things out.

Verdict: Het Uiltje are gaining a reputation as one of the best craft breweries in the Netherlands; expect to hear lots more the boys in Haarlem over the next few years. They get a big fat high five us.

Dr. Raptor Imperial IPA – ABV 9.2%

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Uiltje called it “the hoppiest beer they ever brewed” after reengineering their IPA to this monstrous nine-percenter which somehow stays crisp and refreshing.

Look: Dark hazy amber-orange with medium off-white head and medium carbonation.

Aroma: Pine and zesty orange, hoppy freshness.

Taste: Layers of sweetness and bitterness with fruity refreshing hops laid over caramel and yeast tones. Medium-bodied and a nice persistent oily mouthfeel with more bitterness in the finish.

Verdict: Considering the high ABV this surprisingly refreshing. We’ll be paying another visit to the Doctor very soon.

Analogue Recordings Carsbridge Barrel Aged Red Ale – ABV 13%

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From Uiltje’s “most special room” of the brewery comes a full-throttle 13-percenter Red Ale with notes of creamy vanilla and whiskey.

Aroma: Big hits of chocolate and vanilla and of course that boozey kick the Carsbridge whiskey barrels.

Taste: Really full boded – it’s really rare for a Red like this – with whiskey warmth and creamy vanilla sweetness.

Verdict: Just like vinyl records, Analogue Recordings are definitely a welcome part of modern digital life.

Meneer de Uil Wardhead Barrel Aged Imperial Porter – ABV 11.4%

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This American-style whisky cask-aged imperial porter, dedicated to 80s cartoon character Mister Owl, is quite simply Uiltje’s most-requested beer ever.

Look: Opaque black, with a tan head that lasts pretty well. Medium carbonation

Aroma: Deep rich malty base with some light whisky accents, plus hints of spice and liquorice.

Taste: More malts and whiskey smokey sweetness. Medium body made of dark chocolate, coffee and sugar with rich boozy tones.

Verdict: Dank u wel, Meneer de Uil (Thanks very much, Mister Owl)!

Sgt Nightvision – ABV 10.5%

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This French oak-aged American Imperial Stout has a smoky sweet character and a roasted chocolate base, thanks to Peated, Maris Otter, Caramel and Cara malts.

Look: Clear dark black-brown colour with a foamy beige head. Soft carbonation and nice lasting lacing.

Aroma: Dark roasted and sweet malts, chocolate, caramel and a hint of dried fruits.

Taste: Sweet with more dark malt, caramel and chocolate, some tones of roasted malts and charcoal smokiness. Medium to full-bodied, lingering bitterness and some lasting boozy warmth.

Verdict: Copy that, Sergeant. Because we’d like another one, please.

Matryoshka Doll – ABV 7.0%

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Baltic porter – black liquorice inside a velvety sweet swath inside a dark thick cloud of luscious hops.

Caution Kiwi Crossing – ABV 9.1%

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We absolutely stuffed this New Zealand strong ale with three types of psycho KIWI hops. Like our Uiltje it’s a cute, harmless beer that requires a bit of help when crossing the street. Perfect for men who still cuddle stuffed animals and sleep in their socks.

CC Porter – ABV 7.7%

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Beautiful coffee and coconut porter made with golding hops.

Look: Black beer with a beige head.

Aroma: Coconut, caramel and fruity hops.

Taste: Lots of coconut, which gives way to roasted malts and then a nice fruity, hoppy coffee finish. 

Verdict: This beer wouldn’t be any bigger on coconut if it started firing them at you a cannon. Fortune favours the brave when it comes to flavour combinations, and this one has really paid off for the brewers at Uiltje.