Westmalle Tripel

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle
Style: Abbey Tripel
Malle, Belgium

Wicked, wicked dry tripel. pleasant bubbliness or nice sugar notes at all. Big crazy belgian head of white dense froth. Looked very cloudy and suspiciously dead yellow. Smelled of strong grains and stale crackers. Tasted like licking the inside of a grain silo, with overpowering raw grain and minerally taste and aftertaste and super dry, need some chapstick finish. If this were the only beer around, I’d be drinkin water. Sorry guys

11.2 oz bottle. Bubblegum, alcohol, straw, interesting aroma, but I’m not into it. Ridiculously big, jumping out of the bottle, white bubbly head, very opaque, orange-blonde color, lot of particulate. Flavor steps the experience up a bit, pretty nice hoppy, citrus, some spice, grass, fairly wet finish, sweet and light belgian style malt in the middle, some alcohol at the start, medium body, I really like the finish. Was not appealing at first, but it grew on me, still not one of my favorites though.

Pours a solid, opaque-hazy orange. Very large and bold head. Citrus dominates the aromas as well as hints of flowering hops. Flavor has a nice balance of sweet and spices and tastes of orange peel. Finish is rather strong. Very solid Tripel though, however, I prefer St. Bernardus’

Starts with that nostalgic and pleasant aroma of banana and mixed fruit baby food, with a less banana and lighter overall than most of this variety I have experienced. Had a very complex flavor that makes me want to try again, some spice and also a bit of scotch whiskey. It was also a bit sour for my tastes and this lowered the score, but it may have been just this bottle so must try again.

33cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, complex Trappist, cloudy, small head, good brew, but not a topper

A very nice brew, poured on draft in Brussels. Cloudy golden with a retiring cream head. Tastes of crisp wheat, a bit of banana, shrp citrus, and a nicely biting yeastiness.

Golden colour, thick white head. Aroma of fruits, alcohol, some spice and yeast. Taste is fruity, spicy, alchohol, citrus. Never too sweet, really smooth, highly drinkable tripel. One of the best.

Certainly one of the world’s great beers. MJ recommends a bit of age and I am certainly in agreement with the man. The assertive banana of youth rounds out to incorporate more orange, apricot and spice, sometimes some other citrus flavours, honey and more spicy hops. I think it is a hugely complex beer. There are a wealth of different notes coming from each ingredient and it all comes together extremely well. A refreshing quality alongside a sipping quality. Excellent carbonation. The beer is truly alive!