On tap at Cloverleaf, interestingly designed cherry-soured tripel leaves sticky tart fruiting on tongue. Subtly bittersweet oaken cherry pucker crowds the midst as candi-sugared Belgian yeast leaves behind zippy banana-clove sweetness, tangy orange-tangerine-clementine splurge and mild white-peppered herbage.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, lightly fruit-glazed candi sugaring picks up sweet rum spicing and creamy vanilla snip over delicate caramel malting and mildly phenolic white-peppered hop bittering. Orange-bruised banana, cantaloupe, lemon custard, apricot, peach and sugarplum fruiting gains honeyed banana-coriander sweetness over time.
On tap at Plank Pizza, exhilarating hybridized pumpkin-spiced tripel (a nifty 2015 Elysian collaboration with well-hidden 8.2% ABV) loads advertised terragon-galangal piquancy to stylish candi-sugared Belgian yeast and white-peppered tropical fruiting, picking up lightly sprinkled ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and allspice seasoning as well as creamy vanilla sweetness. Subtle pumpkin pie influence fades softly as caramel-malted banana, pineapple, peach and lemon fruiting gains momentum.
Interestingly twisted take on candi-sugared Belgian dark ale loads French saison yeast onto polite de-husked carafa roast and lightly spiced dried fruiting. Mild marzipan, currant and raisin illusions as well as wispy chocolate-coffee snips decorate soft molasses-breaded spine.
Quaintly liquored-up version (9.1% ABV) of Belgian-styled tripel features mellow tropical-fruited hop spicing, dainty white-peppered lemongrass tingle and gently wafting herbal perfuming. Lemony pineapple, mango and orange tang crests above pale malt backbone.
On tap at Ambulance, tremendous fruit-spiced Belgian strong ale provides brown-sugared prune, raisin, fig and black cherry luster as well as banana-bruised clove, nutmeg and cinnamon spicing to milky chocolate-caramel creaming. Spritzy carbolic thrust enlivens flavor profile, allowing tertiary port-wined purple grape tannins, rummy fruitcake sweetness and light vanilla nuances to elevate the dried fruit splendor of reliable medium-bodied sureshot.
On tap at Poor Henry’s, enticing hibiscus-honeyed tripel stays soft on the tongue as sweet fruited malts gain resilience above delicate floral hops. Red apple juicing spreads across red cherry tang, raspberry tartness, tropical passionfruit-mango-guava conflux and spritzy citric nuances while bustling 10% ABV remains hidden. Perfectly centered hibiscus adjunct allows subtle rose petal, lilac and jasmine undertones to tweak fabulous fruitful finish.
On tap at Craft House, enchanting Belgian-style golden ale (with tripel-enhanced 9.2%ABV) really hits the mark with its illuminating fruit spiced sweetness, candi-sugared yeast syruping and honeyed malt buttering. Vanilla-creamed banana bubblegum initiation and lemony orange-pineapple-nectarine tang sweetened further by ample clove-coriander-allspice influence. Mild white-peppered herbage subsumed by tropical fruited goodness. On par with the best Belgian tripels. (Photo courtesy of mybeerbuzz.com)
On tap at Ambulance, well-balanced Belgian-styled tripel gathers subtle bourbon influence to softly affect candi-sugared fruiting, creamy vanilla-milked white caking and white-peppered hop spicing. Resilient orange, tangerine, peach and lemon tang picks up rummy bananas foster elegance as well as tertiary pear, honeydew and cantaloupe nuances.
Ridiculously complex pale-yellowed moderation maintains ‘exotic’ toxicity (8.8%ABV) while spreading green coffee beans across sweet orange peel tartness and mild coriander spicing. Candi-sugared Belgian yeast provides overriding sweetness to milked coffee frontage. Light Grand Marnier influence provides alcohol warmth for corresponding orange-bruised pineapple, peach, apricot, pear, banana and berry fruiting as well as dainty floral herbage. Green tea, basil, rosemary and lemongrass herbs encounter latent orange blossom, jasmine and rosebud florality below the surface alongside lesser peppercorn, ginger and spearmint illusions. Perfumed shaving cream notions waft thru the mix.
On tap at Ambulance, contrarian yellow-clouded Belgian tripel seems closer to an American pale ale with its mild yellow-orange fruited souring, subtle grassy hop bittering and sugary spiced malting. Orange-peeled grapefruit, pineapple, tangerine, apricot, peach, mango and clementine tang picks up herbal nip. Phenolic fruity finish fades quick, but retains a nice hop bite.
On tap at Ambulance Brew House, exemplary limited edition (January ’15) ‘black’ tripel makes fine use of brown-sugared dried fruiting. Pureed raisin, sugared fig, prune and plum overtones ride above creamy caramel-chocolate malting. Tingly sugar-spiced sweetness contrasts dry bourbon tinge, heightening the relaxedly noir-ish mood.
