Midnight Sun Épluche-Culotte

Brewed by Midnight Sun Brewing Company
Style: Abbey Tripel
Anchorage, Alaska USA

2007 bomber, aged about one year. The cloudy, orange-amber body is topped with a massive, frothy column of off white foam. Displaying excellent retention, the head slowly settles, but not without leaving dense, sticky, cloud-like patches of foam on the glass. Aromatics include light candy sugar, lemon chiffon, orange peel, and mild coriander. There is a creaminess that smooths out some of the candy sugar sweetness, which I appreciate, along with a uniquely Belgian, doughy yeast profile. Flavors, too, show a formidable candied orange and lemon zest element, which works nicely with the creamy, sugary sweetness and delicate, earthy spicing. Nutmeg also emerges, lending further woodsy bitterness, while peppery, floral hops show strong on the finish. Substantially bodied, with fizzy, lively carbonation, the sugary profile gets a bit heavy over time, but is sublime in low doses. I am not a tripel fan, in general, but this one is right up there with the best that any American brewery I have sampled has to offer.

22 oz bottle. Clear peachy brown with a fluffy white head. Nose is yeast, coriander and orange peel with hints of honey and clover. Crisp with a sharp tang. Smooths out leaving a light tongue tingle. Taste is creamy green banana, bitter orange peel and a touch of candi sweetness. Reminds me of St. B’s; one of my favorite tripels.

This one pours a deep golden orange with a fluffy white three-finger head that recedes to an inch-thick cap that lingers throughout. The lacing is very good. The aroma is a spiced up version of a typical tripel. It has the generous Belgian yeast aroma and slight candied sugar presence. But on top of that I get a healthy dose of citrus hops, lemons and oranges, and coriander. The taste starts out with the citrus hops, with a hint of lemony tartness in the background. The Belgian yeast is present as well and the finish has a touch of the lemon zest and a generous dose of spices. I also got an interested toasted grain presence throughout which I wasn’t expecting. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with lots of carbonation with a slightly dry, toasty finish. This is another creative take on a Belgian style from Midnight Sun, who I continue to be impressed with in general. Not one of my favorites from them but still recommended.

bottle. thanks glkaiser. Panty Peeler is a great name. copper hazy with thin head. orange, rich malts, yeast and spice make a well rounded aroma. strong marmelade jam flavor and sticky syrup texture. fruit is dominant in this triple. smooth malting and light spice. finish is dry and slightly bitter.

22oz bottle from hannont on 5/8/08/ Pours a cloudy yellow amber color. Excellent aroma, of a little bit of banana, some corriander. really nice. Taste is sweet, easy to drink. A bit orange zest melds with the sweetness. Excellent. Truly one of the best Belgian triples. A pleasant surprise. I feel no qualms about rating this much higher than the average.

Draft at brewery, white head, cloudy gold color, strong orange aroma. Well concealed alcohol. A very tasty brew with a orange and spice notes. Very drinkable

I really enjoyed this, very traditional, and true to style. A nice tribute to regional Belgian styles, and this brewery has it in spades. Lots of effervescent lighter fruits in this one, pears, grapes, and a light yeastiness, which mellows into a nice creamy mouthfeel. Very drinkable, finishing very dry on the palate.

Bottle. Fine aroma. Brown with light head, spicy taste, fine brew. Surprised the label met ATF approval.