Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel

Brewed by Brasserie d’Achouffe (Moortgat)
Style: Abbey Tripel
Achouffe, Belgium

Bottle, said batch # 3, best before end 2009. Huge, fluffy head and THICK lacing, my goodness, looked like styrofoam spray or something on the sides of my glass. Aroma of spices, including clove and others (not very knowledgeable with my spices), banana, maybe some other light fruit, and the advertised hops that were all at once unexpectedly light but surprisingly placed amidst the classic Belgian yeast scent. All in all intriguing, but very delicate, refined. Flavor was equally delicate but continued to be a unique blending of styles, as it was supposed to be, hops become a bit more of a presence toward the end, but certainly never overwhelming the softer flavors contained. Very well done brew, enjoyed it a lot, definitely achieved maximum potential for such delicate flavors.

sweet sunny dust and wheaty yeast is able to escape through the towering whipped cream head. hazy bright gold. just as advertised. well rounded hop flavor surrounded by yeast.

Medium yellow color - very lively & thick head with lovely lacing. Aroma is fruity and slightly estery with a hint of perfumy flowers. Flavor is somewhat rich and hoppy - with a nice malt backbone to balance it out. Silky, and surprisingly smooth. Finish is basically dry. Enjoyed it.

Pours out a golden brown color with a large off white head. aroma was your typical yeasty sweet scent with a nice hoppy citrus note to it. Flavor was similar with a interesting mix of sweet bread and hops. This is an interesting brew and not that bad at all.

Cloudy honey gold with a towering finely bubbled head displaying eternal retention. Aroma of chamomile, clover, musty yeast, citrus peel. Chewy malt with big grassy hoppiness, flavours of sweet spices, citrus fruit, bready yeast. Surprisingly bitter finish (woody/stemmy). Really unique among the triples I’ve tried, which at this point admittedly are few.

Pours clouded gold. Nice level of off-white head. Nose is very yeasty. Flavor is full of funk and hops. Earthy aftertaste like a deep clay. Yeast is definitely there as well. Robust is the key word here. Feel has a nice level of carbonation and a good liquid feel. Overall very good. Extremely hearty and robust, yet consistent.

Tasting is from a 750ml, but I’ve had it before on tap and it is definitely better on draught as most brews are. Slightly hazy intense straw in color with a fluffly white head and good lacing. Smells like fresh hops, orange peel, and cardamom. Assertive carbonation, maybe a bit too much, gives the 9% alcholo tripel great balance making it feel crisp and lighter than it should be for it’s alcohol content. Flavors are straw, orange, plum, all spice, coriander, cardamom, and white pepper with just a hint of sweetness. The hops kick hard on the finish. Superb balance and fairly dry througout. One of my absolute favorites.

Sampled blind at "Better Know a Style: Abbey Tripel" tasting. Chunky and animated white head on slightly hazy pale yellow/gold color. Orange and yeasty aroma that is medium in strength. Alcy flavor with green/red fruit, distinctive yeast, slight oak, very much in the Jolly Pumpkin style, hoppy. Dry medium to full body and creamy. Very nice.