La Trappe Tripel

Brewed by De Koningshoeven (Bavaria - Netherlands)
Style: Abbey Tripel
Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip

Better than the Dubbel...a fuller body. A little bitter.

Koningshoeven has always treated me well, even if the naming scheme is a bit confounding. So, to celebrate my homecoming for the holidays I started with the La Trappe Tripel, which immediately kicked up a thick, pillowy tan head. The body, in contrast, is bristling with carbonation with a deep, red amber complexion. After the beer has a chance to breath and settle, the head begins to collapse into round, fat folds like the topside of a cloud. From this dreamscape comes the aroma of dry grains and biscuits, with a little ripened banana peel, white grape juice, a dab of tahini, cheap white wine (Two buck Chuck?) and a squeeze of grapefruit hoppiness. The flavor starts dry like the aroma, but immediately crests and tumbles into a pool of sweet flavors. Caramel, roasted apple skins, grapefruit and sparkling cider creep up on the drinker, and then break down immediately before the aftertaste, devolving at last into a simple, corn flavor. The hops in the aftertaste, too, is afflicted with a troublesome taste of soap. As the beer warms and lounges in the warm clime of my living room it develops some satiating oat notes, while the chorus of other dry grain flavors mature, losing some of their over-the-top dryness. It becomes less sweet, but still very drinkable. A good start to the holidays.

11.2 oz. slender trappist-style bottle, freshness date on the back label, sampled in a chalice. L: Reddish amber with a frothy head of beige colored creamy foam. Good retention and a fair amount of lace rings the glass. S: Green grapes and pears, earth spicy, nutty yeast, honey covered bananas and crusty bread, light touches of pepper, there is no mistaking that this has the nose of a tripel. The alcohol is not very noticeable, lost in the fruity esters. F&T: Smooth moderate body that is firmed up from the carbonation, crisp and softly dry. Earth, pepper and nutty flavors complement the tastes of grapes, pears and honey for a delectable mix. Hints of caramel grains and fresh baked bread towards the end. The hops provides a light spiciness, helping to dry out the nutty yeast and candied sugary finish. The alcohol imparts only a spicy low grade warmth in the palate. This is a highly drinkable tripel, smoothly balanced in its tastes, very enjoyable.

Not too dark of a color for a tripel. Nice yellow fruit aroma with a bit of dry yeastiness. Flavor follows nicely.

Pours deep orange amber into a trappist glass. Head quickly recedes to spot surface. Apricot and yeast aromas. Sweet and full upfront with apricots and pit fruits. Turning to a dry caramel and hop finish. Quite nice...

Bottle from the SAQ served in a trappist glass. Poured a hazy and dark golden with a medium head that vanishes quickly. aroma is sweet malt, spices and alcohol. Taste is spicy and sweet. woth a good dose of malt and some bitterness in the aftertaste. Not as rich as the quadruple, but very good anyway.

wow cant believe i havent rated this yet. cloudy straw color, good sized head nose is fruit and hops, with some yeast in there for good measure, flavor is similar citrus spices yeast, good solid tripel

Dark golden amber with a foamy white head. Nice fruit blend of berries. Sour citrus intial taste that left to a floral finish.