Brewer Menno Olivier brings 12 years of experience to his Brouwerij De Molen, which translates to "The Mill Brewery" as the operation is located in a 300-year-old windmill. He began brewing in his kitchen as a hobby, went on to brew in Westmaas and Amsterdam, and then served as master brewer of De Pelgrim, a Rotterdam city brewery. It was during his time as master brewer that he decided to open a brewery of his own, so he created De Molen in the town of Bodegraven, about 30 km north of Rotterdam.
His stainless steel plant has a capacity of 500 liters and he brews in very limited quantities, only about 5hl per year (the same output as some home-brewers!).
So why bother with bringing in such an obscure and small Dutch Brewery? How about the fact that they were #10 on Ratebeer.com's list of 100 notable breweries in the world in 2010. How about the fact that one of the beers we got has a score of 100 on ratebeer.com and another scores 99!
Storm & Averij (Storm & Damage)
22.00 750ml Ratebeer.com score: 96
An Imperial/Double IPA: A hazy golden-orange colour with a rich firm white foam. Big fruity hop aroma with a little yeastiness of orange-peels, mango,pine-needles, peaches, hay and wet grass. Full-bodied with notes of yeast, blood oranges, mango, biscuits and orange-peels. Long orangey, juicy, bitter finish with touches of yeast and pine. Dry hopped with Czech hops (Premiant)." 9.2%ABV
Amarillo
11.00 330ml Ratebeer.com score: 99
This beer got it's name from the American hop used in the brewing process. Amarillo is a powerful hop in aroma, flavor and bitterness. But of course other hops were used as well, creating a beautiful combination. Not a beer to drink as a session beer, but one to enjoy. 9.2% ABV
Rook & Vuur (Smoke & Fire)
11.00 330ml Ratebeer.com Score: 94
Brewed with smoked malts and chili peppers, this beer truly is a combination of Smoke & Fire. The huge smoke flavor and aroma turn to sweet caramel and then a mild spicyness from the peppers that starts to show and build after about half the bottle. 8.2% ABV
Hemel & Aarde (Heaven & Earth)
13.00 330ml Ratebeer.com score 100!
Made with the most heavily peated malt in the world from the Bruichladdich distillery. Almost pitch black and opaque, small head. Furiously peated aroma, hiding the malt, licorice and dark chocolate somewhat. Very full bodied, thick mouthfeel, like fluid bread. Dark chocolate, loads of peat, lapsang souchong tea, chocolate cake, culminating in an almost endless aftertaste that also has licorice. 10.3% ABV
