 TAR (1998), Boulder Co., Colorado, USA
May 10, 2008
Yellow gold. Tiny-bubbled, densely packed foam adorns the glass with wispy lace patterns. Lively floral and herbal hop scents line the nose. Secondary notes of creamed peaches, plasticy phenols, pistachios, and candy sugar. Snug, fluffy carbonation. Creamy yeast foundation and a medley of vibrant tropical-fruit esters softly embrace the zippy and succulent floral hops. Fluffiness of the malt is beautifully mirrored by its crisp crackery definition which underscores the immaculate attenuation. Zingy notes of cantaloupe, mango, and Juicy Fruit gum are illuminated by the brisk, crackly phenols. Peppery yeast lends lots of character. Hops generate a dab of resins which coat the palate but do not detract from the lustrous array of subtleties. Though not to detrimental levels, a distant note of aspirin rigidly exudes. Bitterness is otherwise squeaky clean due to the delightfully pillowy yeastiness which gently softens its blow. Alcohol is brilliantly concealed throughout. Herbal- and lime-tinged bitterness gracefully penetrates the soft malt and yeast toward the finish. Closes dryish and elegantly with a blend of pear, green raisins, zesty hops, and creamy yeast. A rather rustic and earthy Triple which is largely defined by its characterful strain (Orval) of yeast. Just short of extravagant.
Fin (2164), Merton, Oxfordshire, England
Aug 1, 2008 On tap at Delirium, Brussels, 25-07-08 Difficult to determine the colour of this beer in the cave like surroundings of this cellar bar but it looks golden. This is really quite assertively hoppy there is a soft restrained bitterness, nice tanginess and there are slight comparisons with one of the De Ranke products probably XX bitter. The strength is noticeable but never intrusive a lovely beer.
DrBayern (923), Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
Jul 31, 2008 Draft at Monk’s Cafe 7/23/2008
Aroma - Light stone fruit, honey, floral and spicy notes, very inviting aroma
Appearance - Deep gold with large creamy head that was durable with nice lace in a tulip glass.
Flavor - Fruity sweetness balances well with a spicy bitterness.
Unexpectedly rich, medium body with light carbonation, very smooth, and a softly dry palate.
Very drinkable, smooth and quite satisfying. Went well with the muscles steamed with Dupont Saison.
BoBoChamp (618), Gent, Belgium
Jul 27, 2008 75cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, complex brew, balanced, hazy, good head, very good brew, the best of the Rulles-range
Tmoney99 (3503), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Jul 1, 2008 Bottle from Rivers Bend. Poured hazy orange color with a huge frothy head that lasted with excellent lacing. Complex spicy fruit and yeasty aroma. Medium body with a sticky texture. Medium fruity balanced flavor with a medium sweet finish of long duration with a small alcohol bite. This is a good beer.
RSRIZZO (987), Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Jun 30, 2008 Aroma of caramel, malt and alcohol. Color is a golden orange with good carbonation and a thin tight head. Taste is sweet and fruity. Starting with a medium body it goes down with a very smooth feel. Finish comes in sweet with an apple taste, a little yeast and a very faint bitterness. After taste is alcohol then a mellow dry feel. Good Belgian Triple, not one of the best, but the apple note makes it unique.
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