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RATINGS: 80   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.26   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 270   ABV: 9%
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COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
Once again the cold of winter is upon us and beer fans will no doubt associate this change of season with strong, warming brews to help take the bite out of the air. The brewers at Legend are blessed with enough foresight, knowledge, and ambition to have once again crafted an excellent version of our annual Belgian Style Tripel Ale. It should be understood that this potent brew is not one that is thrown together once the days have shortened and the holiday spirit surrounds us. Rather, we have to plan well in advance to allow a beer of such stature to mature and mellow. This is why, in the heat of July, when most thirst for anything light and refreshing, we devoted several days of brewing to production of Legend Tripel. Five months of aging brings the soft smoothness of natural carbonation and allows this sweet, complex brew to dry out considerably. The result is a “sipping beer” that doesn’t seem like one. By this we mean to convey that Legend Tripel is deceptive – yes, it’s out to get you! In fact, similar beers such as the popular Duvel (Belgium) are named after the Devil himself. This is with good reason as the light, dry palate of such a brew, combined with quenching qualities such as citrus and spice notes can lead one to get in a little too deep. In other words, this is a beer to be shared with friends and family in celebration and moderation. Fermentation is on a Belgian Abbey style yeast strain which imparts interesting combinations of fruit (apple, pear, orange) and spice, as well as a faint bubble gum quality. These are most evident in the aroma and can be appreciated best when this beer is served slightly warmer (45-50 degrees) and in a tulip shaped “Belgian glass”. The malt bill consists of Pilsner malt as the base for light color, yet a little more depth of grain flavor than our standard Two-Row malt. Flavor and aroma benefit from additions of Bonlander Munich and Aromatic malts. High enzyme Six-Row barley, flaked corn, and corn sugar contribute by providing ample ingredients for an extensive fermentation. This creates a beer with plenty of great flavor up front, while finishing dry and quick. Hallertau and Saaz hops are used for balance to the sweetness and also add to the complex spiciness. Legend Tripel will be released December 9th and available through January on draft and in 22 oz. bottles.

Original Gravity: 20.1 Plato Final Gravity: 1.1 Plato Alcohol: 10.1% by vol. 30 IBU

Late 2007 Vintage = 9% ABV



4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
weeare138 (936) - Collegeville, USA - MAR 31, 2006
Much thanks to hopdog for opening this up. Appears a hazy light gold with a small white head and scattered lacing. Smell is of bubblegum, pear, light bananas, tropical fruit salad. Taste is of the same aromas with a nice peach taste coming through. Mouthfeel is sugary, light fruit cocktail syrup, and medium bodied. Drinkability is good for an American Tripel.

3.5
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 2/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Westmeister (590) - Atlanta, Georgia, USA - MAY 27, 2012
Bottle. Golden yellow pour and a bit lighter than expected. Taste and smell revel a big syrupy sweetness but doesnt show the booze. Although really sweet, the toffee and ripe fruits come thru nicely to end in a nice brew.

2.7
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 10/20
tia (467) - Sandston, Virginia, USA - DEC 22, 2011
Bottle. Yellowy golden with light head. Getting banana on the nose plus biscuity malt. Sweet and spiced flavor. Flavors jump around funny on the palate. High carbonation.

3.2
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
dpento1 (233) - Virginia, USA - DEC 6, 2010
Pours a golden yellow with a very thin white head. Aroma is very sweet, with malt, yeast, and fruit. Flavor is spicy, yeasty, and a little tart. There are also fruit and more spices in the finish.

2.9
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 10/20
ectuohy27 (267) - New Jersey, USA - SEP 18, 2010
Too watery (and this at 9% abv!), too fizzy, and above all way too bitter for a tripel (perhaps American Triple should be a new style...?), the Legend hits enough estery notes to make it drinkable, if not overly enjoyably so. Props for being Virginian, but it can be done better!l

3.1
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 11/20
topherh (1765) - Kearney, Missouri, USA - AUG 7, 2010
22 oz bottle from the brewery. Pours golden with a white head. Aroma is sweet, floral, fruity, with a little spice. Flavor is light clove and bananas, sweet malt, lightly bitter finish.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
riversideAK (4568) - Shoreline, Washington, USA - MAR 9, 2010
Interesting nose for style. Berries, honey, some banana, alcohol, and sweet, spicy yeast is light. Pours hazy golden with a short lived fizzy soda pop head. The flavor is also has note of berry, vanilla, moderate tart alcohol, medium sweetness throughout and some banana/bubblegum yeast notes. Carbonation level is rather light and it should be a touch sweeter, but it is an interesting take and not overdone like many american belgians. Drinks ok for 9%.

2.9
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 11/20
GT2 (4003) - Washington DC, USA - JAN 11, 2010
From DC Local tasting. Pours a clear light yellow. Lots of wine like tartness and boozyiness in the nose and flavor. 10% is very apparent. Not much tripel sweetness to balance.

3.4
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 14/20
ben4321 (2227) - Hoboken, New Jersey, USA - DEC 29, 2009
Location: On Tap at Legend, 12/26/09, under the name: Legend Belgian Tripel

Overall Impression: A pretty decent triple, not the best one I’ve ever had, but it was enjoyable. A little different then some triples that I have had.

2.8
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 2/5   OVERALL 11/20
potbeercollege (1329) - Boulder, Colorado, USA - DEC 22, 2009
Bomber. amber. spiced and too fruity....just really not my thing. I can do a tripel a love it but this isn’t it. Bitter throughout with to weak a body for the alcohol.

3
   AROMA 6/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 5/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
Elwood (1978) - Leesburg, Virginia, USA - AUG 12, 2009
Serving: 22 oz. bottle. Appearance: Dirty brown with a foamy, white head. The head is pretty quick to dissipate. Aroma: Floral notes, honey, perfume, a little grain, and a bit of a light corn syrup note. Taste: Fusel alcohol, syrupy sweet, honey, flowers, and a slight sour note. Not the most balances brew and a little on the raw side. Palate: Medium-high carbonation with a medium-light mouthfeel. Medium, fusel finish. Overall: This one doesn’t stand up well against the top ten triples. A bit raw and lacking complexity. Rebuy: No, but I will be keeping an eye on this one. I think they could turn it into something pretty nice if they wanted to.


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