Kasteelbier Tripel Blonde 11%

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Honsebrouck
Style: Abbey Tripel
Ingelmunster, Belgium

4/7/05. Poured out of 750 mL bottle at Stuffed Sandwich in San Gabriel, CA 4/7/05. 2003 Vintage. Poured a lightly hazy golden tan with a fluffy, rocky, and slightly broken head. Lasts long in a thin cookie-like patty, spotted with rocky bubbles. Lacing sticks at first and then shatters and crumbles, but still maintains dense ribbons high atop the sides of the glass. Lemon pie crust nose, lightly sweet with mild, inviting honey, candied lemon peel, and something like angel food cake. Taste has yeasty and lightly doughy components. Some subtly sweet vanilla flavors too. Finish brightens and dries up on the swallow. There’s background alcohol but generally really nice masking. Very drinkable for 11%. Medium-full body. Long, subtly humming finish with the mild yeast and vanilla, lightly dry and with still more hints of cake. Very damn good, and I think the extra year or so of aging helped to soften and refine this a little bit. I’ll have to get more.

Clear gold. Moderate-to-high carbonation. Thick white head that dissipates relatively quickly. High alcohol content noticable -- but balanced nicely by spicy notes. Better through the first sips as the high-octane nature of the brew makes it almost cloyingly sweet by the end of a glass.

Pillowy large white head. Hay yellow color. Beautiful cheesy yeast on the flavor. Bready nose. Alcohol is there but complimentary to the taste. A gift from a friend.

Bottle. Golden color, big head. Sweet and yeasty aroma. Malty candi like flavors. Alcohol evident but not hot. A bit dry. Med body, effervescent. I would call this tripel. A nice strong ale.

Hazy golden yellow with a nice one finger head that reduced to a thin film and minimal lacing. Aromas of lemon and sugar dominate the nose. Flavors featured the saem, but included other citrus, notable orange and grapefruit, and a clear yeast presence. Intense carbonation, medium body, and a very pleasant citrus aftertaste.

A cloudy yellow color. A slight sour and yeasty aroma. A great sour citrus flavor with some alcohol and florals.

Bottle at The Headkeeper. Pours a slightly cloudy yellow, nice off-white head. Aroma is sweet, orange and caramel. Flavor is citrus flavors, orange/corriander, a little spice with a malt base. A little sweet and dry on the finish.

Champagne like, wonderfull crisp clean taste. Nice and strong but not enough to make your mouth pucker. I had both the Kasteels at Bavarian Lodge in Lisle and I must say I am becoming a fan of the brand. Slightly creamy and spicey. Not soomethng I would consider an everyday drink, but one that is great as a special treat.