Grimbergen Triple

Brewed by Brasserie Union (Alken-Maes / Heineken)
Style: Abbey Tripel
Jumet, Belgium

’Revisited A Favorite’ Grimbergen Tripel ale pours a medium bodied clear but slightly dark amber color, the head a light beige, which dissipates rather quickly leaving a sheet of lace upon the chalice. Upon the pour, a brandyish aroma is noticed quickly, the aroma is spectacular I must admit. Hints of fruit and malt are also noticed, the start is sweet, the middle a mixture of citrus tartness and the malt sweetness, that finishes, wine dry and some what astringent. I noticed little hop presence, although I know its there the complex aroma of malts, fruity esters, seem to hide the hops. Carbonation is moderate to high and crisp, and the dry finish adds much to the palate of this beer. At 9.0 percent ABV and a 20 or so IBU, this beer is sneakily potent, as there is no alcohol related bitterness, just a nice warm feeling in the ’tummy’.

If I gave top marks, I’d be afraid that the monks would get lazy and stop trying to make it better. This is an amazing beer. I found it at the Leon Pub in Tallahassee and drank it was my regular order there for a year. Then I went to Antwerp and drank it fresh. I’m basing my almost perfect rating on the "trucked to Antwerp, put on a boat, sploshed to New York, trucked to Florida, delivered to my bar, old and tired" Grimbergen tripel. The fresh stuff was twice as good. Alas, when I returned to Tallahassee and ordered a Grimbergen, I was devistated to learn that the publican was pouring out of the last keg he had and one of the handful still in the states. The Abbey has weighed in on the quantity vs. quality front and chosen quality. They have decided to forsake the golden goose of export and concentrate on brewing a superior beer. I guess that this means I’ll be back in Belgium sooner than I expected.

This was a wonderful beer. It turned me on to trappist ales, though none have reached the pinacle that this one did. Sweet but not cloying. The smoothness masks how strong this beer is.

This is the beer that got me hooked on Belgians. Get it.

VEry nice, it is strong but with character, I like the colour like orange, and the foam is great.

Yeastiness present throughout, while a honey and orange character provide an accompanying sweetness. Light astringency in the finish. Extremely versatile, excellent sipping beer but also dangerously refreshing. A night cap beer that would pair equally well with a citrus salad.