Tag Archives: tripel

STEENBRUGGE TRIPEL BLONDE ALE

Regal billowy-headed blonde (brewed in Belgian Abbey) features Old World herbal gruut influence and rampant clumps of Brussels lace. Sharp grain-malted presence, aromatic creme de cocoa keepsake, and thickened yeast-candied butterscotch resonation bring intial attention. Recoiling barleywine sweetness hides chocolate subtleties until strong whiskey-licked medicinal finish takes over. Creamy texture loses out to overriding fuzzy carbolic fizz, sucking out its essence. Perhaps a spicy kick in the ‘grain’ would increase resiliency.

ANDERSON VALLEY BROTHER DAVID’S TRIPLE ABBEY STYLE ALE

On tap, vinous grape-quince sourness juxtaposes cherry jubilee tartness, bruised orange tang, and candi-sugared sweetness of 10% alcohol feast. Clove, coriander, and banana underscore vanilla wafer pleasantry halfway through. Turbid bottled version allows creamier medicinal warmth and bourbon boozing to accelerate yellow apple, melon, and kiwi illusions propelling bruised cherry-banana-orange motif.

LEGACY EUPHORIA ALE

Modest Belgian-styled tripel laces white ale nuances, such as herbal-hopped black-peppered coriander-clove-allspice spicing, with honeyed orange blossom sweetness. Subsidiary apple, pear, peach, strawberry, and cherry fruiting receives refreshing menthol-eucalyptus jaunt, but soapy finish weakens not-so-strong pale ale.

(STEENBERGE) BORNEM AUGUSTIJN ALE

In wide-mouth bottle, fluffy-headed light body places wheat honeyed sweetness above wafting citrus tartness and creamy caramel malting. Hushed apricot, pear, and green apple illusions receive mild spicing. Foamy carbonation nearly wipes away pilsner-like grain blend and cocky Bavarian-style luster. Indistinct finish and ill-defined adjuncts spoil the party.

ARBOR GREFF PHAT ABBOT TRIPLE ALE

Puffy white-headed straw-clouded dry body proffers honeyed wheat stickiness to zesty lemon-grapefruit tartness, brightening truly accessible, viscous 10% alcohol delight. Overflowing champagne-like carbonation and floating white yeast particles decorate vinous center while peppery hops, floral hints (rosebud-dandelion), and herbal nuances enliven busy farmhouse finish.

LEGEND TRIPEL ALE

Richmond brewer captures special Belgian style nearly as well as Ommegang with this admirable unfiltered ’04 ale. Though lighter than expected, effective butterscotch-fogged knockoff gains corky medicinal warmth for connective malt-candied bruised orange and floral tangents. Apricot, sugarplum, grapefruit, then allspice, clove, and rosebud, fight for attention beneath cereal grain sweetness, finishing with balmy citrus tranquility.