John Harvards Belgian Tripel

Brewed by John Harvards Brewhouse (Corporate Office)
Style: Abbey Tripel
Cambridge, Massachusetts USA

Name: Tripel
Date: 03/23/2003
Mode: Draft
Source: DC

Hazy golden, thin fine white head, sweet spicy banana aroma, big banana flavor with spicy notes hiding in the background, sweet without being too sweet, spices start to take over at the end, never really any clove (d good thing, imho)

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 16/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Score: **4
-------- /> The score was calculated based upon the notes and an old scoring system.

On tap at the Wayne location and listed as the ’Les Trois Amis’. Poured a medium golden color with an averaged sized white head. Aromas of orange peels, spices, fruity (bananas), and some yeast. Tastes of fruitiness and lighter spices. Light alcohol finish. Some lacing left on the glass.

On tap at the Lake Grove brewpub on 9/14/07: Pours a transparent golden with a thin ring of white head. Aroma of semi-sweet pale biscuity Belgian malt with some coriander and clove spice. Body starts with some sweet malt and floral fruity esters toward a drier bready caramely finish. A pretty decent tripel, but could use a little more refinement.

Tap at the Lake Grove location. 9.5% ABV. Slightly hazy golden beer with a thin white head. Aroma is quite nice, bubble gun, berries, pale bready malt, clove and a hint of cologne. Body could be a bit leaner, but it’s not bad. No problems with the flavour either, spicy yeastiness, well balanced by honeyish malts. Some lingering peppery character and a lovely balance of fruit and spice. Clovey notes come out more as the beer warms. No complaints about this brew. The brewer at this location knows what he’s doing.

1 liter commemorative bottle. The pour here was gold, with minimla head and a lot of huge carbonation bubbles. The palate was rather weak in heft, and not very complex, with notes of fruit, some hopcitrus, and slight funk notes. JH has a way to go before they can compete with the Belgians in this style.

Lake Grove: Poured a clear dark golden color with a thin white head. Light sugary and floral aroma. Mild phenols and esters with notes of bubble gum. Estery fruity flavor. Mildly sweet finish.

Poured a dark golden color with a small white head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of citrus fruits, coriander, yeast, and orange peel. Taste of more citrus fruits, white pepper, earthy yeast, spices, and alcohol as well.

Pour is crystal clear golden yellow with thin off white head...smell is spicy with clove and there is some honey there too...taste is thin and watery...sweet candy sugar...