Ranganathan (2), chicago, Illinois, USA does not count May 3, 2008 Easily the top Belgian IPA out there. Thick, stubborn head that sticks around till the end. Citrusy hops dominate with a crisp finish. For discriminating tastes only. joshwilfong (769), Cleveland, Ohio, USA May 2, 2008 hazy golden appearance with strong white head. flavor is very unique with characteristic tripel sweetnesss and fruitiness but also with a strong hop presence characteristic of an american IPA. probably has the most hop flavor of any belgian beer i have had. it is able to show both characteristics well, while working as a complete beer. great AgentSteve (1334), SF Bay Area, California, USA Apr 29, 2008 Really interesting pour of foggy, slightly dark lemon color. HUGE fluffy white head that just won’t go away. Nose is as interesting with a bit of citrus (lemon or grapefruit), funk, spice and hops. Flavor follows suit with the nose and appearance, a bit hoppy, a bit spicy, a bit citrusy, and a bit funky. Mouthfeel is a touch smooth and coating. Quite an experience. BeerEssential (96), Massachusetts, USA Apr 29, 2008 Nice, fresh, fruity, slightly hoppy, slightly yeasty scent, perhaps even a little smoky. Pours a bright, cloudy yellow with a fluffy white head. Taste is crisp, hoppy, alcoholic...but yes, obviously more hop content than your usual Tripel. I’m not a hophead, so I prefer a less bitter tripel, but this has a nice clean, if slightly bitter, aftertaste and is quite refreshing. I have to say that for a straight up Tripel I’ll stick with Chimay White or La Fin Du Monde. The Etruscan (304), Tuscany, Italy Apr 27, 2008 Foamy full lasting white head. Hazy orange colour. Aroma is malty with fruity (banana), citrus and light herbal notes. Flavor is moderately malty with light fruity and more herbal and hoppy tones, ending in a slightly bitter finish. Medium bodied. Lothore (276), California, USA Apr 26, 2008 A- Pours a yellow hue with a small but substantial head.
S- Hoppy, tinges of sweet fruit, spicy.
T- Hoppy yet full of the spicy saison-like quality of belgian yeast.
M- Thin but not in a bad way, with a large amount of carbonation.
D- Very drinkable, goes down smooth and easy and is absolutely delicious.
satan165 (541), River Grove, Illinois, USA Apr 24, 2008 Updated: Sep 21, 2008whether a beer is delicious or not is irrelevant when you attempt to measure how successful a beverage is in delivering what it advertises. this beer gets a 100% in both categories. aroma is super yeasty like a saison with a just a touch of that belgian spice. this is so dry and lacks the fruit i typically associate with an abbey brew, its much more saison like. dry as a bone but clobbers you with hops like an imperial IPA. the hop bitterness tempers the other qualities in a way ive never experienced before and which probably rarely exists elsewhere. when i read the description on the back of the bottle i was blown away, from another brewery besides achouffe i wouldnt have believed it. clearly i had good reason to this time because they have made good on their promises! the sensation of hops i associate with american craft brews along side belgian yeast is amazing! this is one of the best executed beers ive had in a long time. cmillward (418), Orlando, Florida, USA Apr 23, 2008 This poured golden with tons of floating snowflakes glinting under an impossible crag of dense white head. Wow the aroma on this is fantastic, huge spicy hop and citrus hop aromas meld with spicy belgian yeast characteristics, some bananas and cloves, plus an underlying sweet doughy maltiness. The mix of European hops and typical West coast IPA hops is wonderful. The hop combo hits your tongue first and then the sweet tripel banana doughy malt peeks through, and it finishes with an appropriate bitterness. I felt like the alcohol was well hidden, and it never felt too heavy. Excellent.
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