John Harvards Belgian Tripel

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

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.

On tap at the Devon location... Appears a transparent gold with a small white head that slowly fades. Smell is of honey, bread, flowers, citrus, and candy sugar, along with some earthy notes. Taste is of the same aromas with some natural spices like cardamom and pepper rousing about that is completely natural from the yeast strain. Mouthfeel is honey sweet, smooth, with some spices clinging to the palate.

Strong beer. Had an acidy type taste but was very good. Had two and wouldn’t have minded more. Although I have had a lot better Trippel’s this one hit the spot for a quick one. Probably better in the summer when it is hot out..

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.

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
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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.

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.

Draft at the brewery: Poured orange yellow with a small white head. Light yeast aroma. Flavor is lightly yeasty with mild bubblegum and alcohol. Sweet finish. Decent.