On tap at Boot 122 brewpub, Utrecht Friday 9th January 2026, after a long wet walk from the hotel via De Kromme Harring (not open until 4pm, schoolboy error 😐) then into town, we visited Eetcafé de Poort first, then DeRat then a walk out of town to Oproer brewpub. Pours clear gold with a white head. Nice fresh crisp IPA, dry finish, there is a little bit of sweetness but it's fruity and dry, nice. Score 7.1

On tap at Oproer brewpub, Utrecht Friday 9th January 2026, after a long wet walk from the hotel via De Kromme Harring (not open until 4pm, schoolboy error 😐) then into town, we visited Eetcafé de Poort first, then DeRat. Pours straw coloured with a hint of haze, mid sized white head. Fresh, sort of crisp but could be better, clean and whilst there's some bitterness it could be better, again quite good possibly the best so far Score 6.9

On tap at Oproer brewpub, Utrecht Friday 9th January 2026, after a long wet walk from the hotel via De Kromme Harring (not open until 4pm, schoolboy error 😐) then into town, we visited Eetcafé de Poort first, then DeRat. Pours light/mid gold with only a tiny haze, mid sized white head. There is a hint of butter on the nose but it's only a touch. Mouthfeel is good, tastes fine, however not resinous or bitter enough to truly feel like a proper Westy. Score 6.6

On tap at Oproer brewpub, Utrecht Friday 9th January 2026, after a long wet walk from the hotel via De Kromme Harring (not open until 4pm, schoolboy error 😐) then into town, we visited Eetcafé de Poort first, then DeRat. Pours light/mid gold with a haze, mid sized white head. There is a little Burton snatch on the nose, soft mouthfeel, a bit sweet, it's a tad simplistic, light syrup touches, quite good. Score 6.9

Bottle at Café DeRat, Utrecht Friday 9th January 2026, after a long wet walk from the hotel via Dr Kromme Harring (not open until 4pm, schoolboy error 😐) we visited Eetcafé de Poort first and as nice as it is, the beer choice is disappointing. Pours very dark brown/black with a light tan head. Liquorice and caramel dominate, doesn't taste 11%, it's a bit tangy, fruity edge. Good. Score 7.0

Can that I think that I picked up from an online order with Mr Hop webshop Venray Netherlands. This formed part of the curated advent calendar box I did for Loz, had this at our hotel 2l de Blend, Utrecht, Thursday 8th January 2026 after a long train journey from Plattling today. Pours dark brown actually is it? Nah think it's black with a small beige head. On the nose and in the mouth, roasty malt, chocolate, I was sure that I could detect a barrel aged element but certainly not according to the can. There's a nice mouthfeel, slight thickness, chocolate and also caramel, perhaps a little bit sweet but certainly not in Vault City territory. Score 7.5