Tag Archives: tripel

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.

STOUDT’S TRIPLE BELGIAN ABBEY-STYLE ALE

Lusty copper-clouded medium body conveys boozy Belgian yeast dankness above sugary cotton-candied malt thrust. Enlightening banana sweetness invigorates bruised orange tang, cherry pie tartness, lemon meringue piquancy and tannic grape souring as well as tertiary pineapple, pear, and cantaloupe illusions. Wispy peppery hop bitterness usurps imminent earthen barnyard funk and floral clove-spearmint tingle as alcohol-stricken finish flags.

(BAVIK) PETRUS TRIPLE ALE

Musty grape-grained odor precludes subdued green apple tartness, corky brut champagne dryness and tangy orange-bruised cherry-grape splat of brettanomyces-soured golden-clouded ale. Subtle butterscotch malting softens lame wheat spine by astringent yeast-endowed white-wined finish. Vinous Sauvignon Blanc illusions wisp by unripe peach-pear undertones. But this is arguably the least defined Belgium-brewed triple attempted yet.

LONG TRAIL TRIPLE BAG STRONG ALE

Heavier malted version of Long Trail’s Double Bag boasts woozy 8.2% alcohol buzz, wafting red-wined bourbon-port notes, and creamy liqueur warmth. Sinewy honey-sugared mocha malts enrich fruity bouquet and perfumed spices intensifying lovely slow sipper. Bruised banana-orange sweetness saturates vanilla-doused cinnamon-clove spiciness, usurping leafy bark-twig singe. Tangy peach, tangerine, red grape, and black cherry illusions dovetail white grape sourness, adding further fruitage.

WEYERBACHER MERRY MONK’S BELGIAN STYLE GOLDEN ALE

Exquisitely fruited Belgian-styled strong ale is truly ambitious. Creamy caramel malting contrasts charitable peppery hop bittering and fungi yeast funk, beckoning veritable Grand Marnier mouthfeel. Floral aromatics hover above perky seltzer-fizzed coriander-clove seasoning and soured plum-prune visage. Midrange bruised orange tang surpasses dainty banana, nectar, elderberry, and quince quirks.

CAPTAIN LAWRENCE XTRA GOLD AMERICAN STYLE TRIPPEL ALE

Dank mildewed yeast reminiscent of cave-aged Belgian ale styling soaks through mandarin orange, Peach Melba, candied pineapple, and melon illusions of hazy golden liquid, settling to floral-hopped pink grapefruit finish. Needs fizzier carbonation. On second passage one year forward, bottle aging provided better floral bouquet, sourer lemon seed tartness, and sweeter grapefruit tang.