Petrus Triple

Brewed by Bavik-De Brabandere
Style: Abbey Tripel
Harelbeke, Belgium

Dry spicy and a nice but not great example of a triple. wait a sec I take that back. a dry hopped mother fucker. Page 364 of Michael Jackson’s Great Beer Guide and only 291 of his 500 Classic Brews to go.

Nice tripel, if not ordinary. Pour was a light gold color with a 2 finger head that lasted the whole drink. Aroma and taste were of sweet fruit and yeast with a hint of orange. The mouthfeel was crisp and dry but had a sweet aftertaste that was not overpowering.

Weiss beer style, super thick head! Lively, spicy, sweet and complex. Fruity and sweet with slight malty undertones.. very nice.

One of the "clear" Tripel types, but with a massive pour-head with a square-ish rock top akin to those formations at that national monument in Colorado. Or is it New Mexico? No matter, it’s like those big rock thingies, not quite the intensity of that rock thingy in Close Encounters. Not quite that aspect ratio, if you get my meaning. I dwell on the head, because that’s the highlight. The rest is not nearly as memorable.

Considering the style, Scores ranging from 1 to 5, 5 being the most intense
Appearance:
Body:   Clear(1)->Murky(5) : 2     Pale Yellow(1)->Copper(5) : 2     Still(1)->Volcanic Sparkling(5) : 3
Head:   None(1)->Large(5) : 3     Lasting: 2     Lacing : 2
Aroma:
Intensity : 3  
Yeast : 3   Bread : XX   Dough : 2   Esters : 2   Phenols : 1   Dusty : 3   Spicy : 3   Apple : 2   Banana : XX   Tropical Fruits : 2   Brett : XX   Barnyard : XX   Leather : XX   Wood : XX   Vinous : 3   Cheese : XX   DMS : XX   Diacetyl : XX Sulfur : 3
Malt : 1   Pilsner : 3   Pale : XX   Vienna : XX   Biscuity : XX   Toasty : XX   Hay : 2   Caramel : XX   Honey : XX   Cereals : XX   Grainy : XX   Wheat : XX
Hops : 1   Noble(1)->American(5) : 1   Leafy : XX   Perfume : XX   Orange : XX   Floral : XX   Lemon/Lime : 2   Herbal : XX   Grassy : XX   Piney : XX
Notes : Pepper : XX   Cloves : XX   Coriander : XX   Ginger : XX   Orange : 2   Earth : XX   Vanilla : XX   Oxidation : XX   Bubblegum : XX
Flavor:
Initial Flavor : Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 4   Finish Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 2   Sourness : 3   Acetic : 2   Lactic : 3   Bitterness : 1   Farmy : XX   Complex : 2   Length : 2
Palate:
Light(1)->Full(5) : 2   Flat(1)->Fizzy(5) : 4   Clean : 0   Sharp : 2   Watery : XX   Oily : XX   Chalk : XX   Astringent : XX   Alcohol : XX   Mineral : 1

Comments: Strange interpretation, with considerable sulfury and kinda lactic (yogurt) leanings which meddles into the fruit salad esters and make a rather lean triple that one likes or don’t. I can’t say I found it overwhelmingly pleasant.

My Bottom Line:
This unusual, light Tripel’s combination of whispering tart fruitiness and simple bready yeast was initially unsettling, yet the appropriate mouthfeel and high drinkability factor eased it into the realm of enjoyment after a few sips. This one does not aim for mind-expanding complexity.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-Ample foam dwindles into the lightly hazy blond.
-The fluffy carbonation and decent maltiness create a efficient, pleasurable mouthfeel.
-White pepper spiciness decorates the fruity esters.
-A dusty, chalky, sulphuric note bothers the overall flavor profile.

Bottle; no date.

Very light aroma showing yeast and non-stone fruit. Thin golden color with a minimal white head. Starts with citrus and light stone fruit (I know, but it was not in the aroma), and arguably there’s a sour note, but not much of one. The mouthfeel swishes to substantial, and the finish is very clean with a barely discernable sweetness and a very nice but light bitterness. Believe it that every mouthful has a lot going on.

25 Jun 2006 - Hoppy light fruit aroma. Light yellow colour, good sheet lacing and reasonable head. Light fruit hop flavour. tart finish and a bit thin but unique balance and aftertaste.