Allagash Tripel Reserve

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Abbey Tripel
Portland, Maine USA

Crushed with Jakebra. Not impressed. The flavor makes up for the aroma of something close to chlorine. Not sure if it was offensive or good, which means even if it wasn’t offensive, it still wasn’t that good.

Pours a hazy golden yellow with a fizzy/creamy head that leaves great lacing. Standard tripel nose consisting of yeast and spices and summery fruit. Taste is similar. I was somewhat disappointed with the finish, though. Somewhat of a lingering bitterness.

750 ml bottle batch 115. Pours a rich thick creamy long lasting head, nice lacing (including the bottle), pleasant yellow gold color....nose of various spices including cardamom, some yeast, many phenols.... tastes initially slightly sweet, then varoius esters, including various fruits and spices such as, banana, clove, followed by a more honey like sweetness and finally a somewhat bitter finish. Mouth feel was good throughout. It tastes very young to me and I plan to age a bottle or so.

750 ml bottle from daknole(thanks). Pours a slightly cloudy dark yellow, with a big white head that has good retention and leaves plenty of lacing. The aroma is moderate in strength with Belgian yeasts, spices, pears and something musty. The flavor is overtly sweet with a rock candy overture, followed by complex spicy fruits and concluded by candied almonds. The mouthfeel is full, smooth and malty. The finish is long and sweet. Overall:One of the best tripels that I’ve had in a long time. Recommended.

Sampled at the NY Brewfest on 9/12. Not able to give a very accurate rating due to the sheer number of brews sampled. Remembered it being ok, but not sure it lives up to its rating here.

Poured from bomber, part of Belgian-style beer tasting. Appearance is light yellow orange with a crisp white head. Aroma is of spices, banana, yeast, and malt. Flavor is initially semi-sweet, complemented by a smooth, lightly carbonated palate. I tasted banana, yeast, fruit, and spice all in a phenomenally balanced recipe. Overall, this is a great Tripel. I’d say my favorite part of this is the smooth, balanced palate and the subtle finish with a hint of alcohol. Can’t say I’ve tried a better Tripel.

Hazy golden yellow, Citrus, yeasty, spicey, hops, little, banana, little caramel, slight honey little wood, dry finish.

Batch 114. Pours with a large, off-white creamy head and a murky yellow body. Aroma of orange zest, honey, yeast and spice. Taste is sweet, spicy, and a bit of candied orange peel. Sharp bubbles and a dryish mouthfeel.
Notes from Batch 46 (1998 Bottle consumed in Feb. 2009): Hazy golden color with a generous white head. Aroma is sweet and bready. Notes of raisins and sherry covering up light spice. Hint of cardboard oxidation. Smells like a sherry dosed plain original donut. Taste is bready, sweet with notes of sherry. Mouthfeel is starting to show a little bit of thinning, but it is still pleasant. Light carbonation.