Michigan Brewing Belgian Tripel

Brewed by Michigan Brewing Company
Style: Abbey Tripel
Webberville, Michigan USA

Fairly malty, and peppery.

The MBC taproom brought us an unlabeld bottle of this since it was off the taps. Light in color, almost like a plain ol' beer, but taste is a whole nother matter. A good fluffy tan head comes with the pour. Blending of flavors that I can't begin to sort out, just impressions of cherry, kind of a porter note, and a buttery smoothness. I got the bright idea to try and make a black & tan using this and a Russian Imperial Stout, but had to forego that impulse for now.

Light clear golden color, maybe expecting a bit of cloudiness, oh well. Banana and yeast in the nose. Sweet malty and more banana in the body. Hints of yeast and finishing with an alcohol bite and a touch of hops. The is a complex beer, but not coming together that well. I’ve never tasted banana in a tripel, other tasters beside me at the brewery also noted this and also noted that the brewer said he didn’t include any wheat in the recipe. Finishes rather sweet and is quite strong, but like i said already, doesn’t really come together that well.

Well, they have Celis’ equipment standing outside the brewery and they’re talking expansion inside, so maybe soon more Belgian style fare will be on the way from MBC. In the meantime, this is their Belfian offering, soft looking gold with a decent head. You can smell the ’Belgian’ in it right away - a nice spicy inhale. Sadly, the flavour isn’t up to the nose: it comes on a bit malty at first, tinges soon with alcohol, and fades into salt and pepper on close. There isn’t much body to speak of, so the fair flavour has to do all the work on its own and doesn’t quite get there.

thanks to scott at kuhnhenns for a taste of this one. from the bottle brewered in late 2002 according to scott. pored a nice golden color no head. looked more like wine. aroma, fruity, malts, spicey and alcohol. flavor thought I was drink wine the alcohol was smooth, nice and fruity. would like to get more of this

Light gold pour with little white head. Super sweet ester aroma with a sour, grainy quality. Sour, grainy flavor upfront with a cloying sweet middle and a big lingering bubblegum-clove finish. Sticky medium body with lots of carbonation and a bit astringent.

In re: to Hennes review: they still have the Cell’s equipment outside, when will the MBC put that equipment to work? Nice soft aroma and appearance. The alcohol warmth is noticed at first sip, I am not sure the malt is there to balance. Still, a pretty darn good and very drinkable beer.

Not a bad stab at a Belgian style tripel. Fruity, spicy and sweet. A little too sweet IMO. Had this one on tap at the brewery.