Westmalle Tripel

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle
Style: Abbey Tripel
Malle, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip

send corrections   |   shelftag   |   edit barcodes   |   update pic

UPDATED: APR 5, 2011 Bottled:
Pours a hazy, golden colour with a large and thick head. Yeast, citrus peels and alcohol on the nose. Flavour is lime, marzipan, yeast and alcohol. Long, bitter finish.

A strong, slightly acidic bite, with a very noticeable alcoholic taste. Its certainly good, but go easy on it since it sneaks up on you, if you know what I mean.

UPDATED: SEP 18, 2007 750mL (Mar/07 production). Head is initially large, frothy, white, mostly lasting. Body is hazy medium yellow, bottle conditioned. Aroma is lightly malty (toasted grain), lightly hoppy (herbs), moderately yeasty (basement, cobwebs), with notes of gum, dried pineapple, alcohol. Flavor is moderately to heavily sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, lightly to moderately acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, velvety texture, lively carbonation, lightly to moderately alcoholic. I always remember this as being a little too boozy, but the alcohol in this sample is milder than expected. The aroma is somewhat basic, but pleasant. Less dry than I recall it being, unfortunately. There are superior examples of the style, but it’s decent.

The best triple I’ve had so far. A big frothy headed beer with a typical belgian beer aroma and a fruity taste. The 9.5% alcohol percentage is ever present in the bitter yet spirted flavour of the beer.

Re-Rate: What a great Tripel. I am more impressed with every sip. Much lighter than expected, and quite dry. Beautiful golden color with a think and creamy head. The alcohol is very noticeable, but not to the point of detracting from the beer. I also find similarities to champaign. Not as estery as I expected. Simply a great beer.

Rich, spicy and refreshing. A rare combination of qualities. Strong, but extremely drinkable.

Nice spicy flavor, dry finish covers alcohol very well. Nice Irish Lace, fluffy head with fine bubbles

Nice creamy head, lightly aromatic. Orange-gold color. Nice mouthfeel; excellent balance. This beer, with it’s spicy, lightly sweet, citrusy flavors - and notes of anise, bread, and pepper, among others, seems like a template for many of the N. American (excellent)knock-offs of Belgians by the likes of Unibroue and Ommegang. Nice clean, lightly dry finish. Classic.

Large milkshake like creamy head, pale golden appearance, steady flowing ’beads’ as they say. Thin palate, dry middle, and a very dry acidic finish, and this is where I tasted the alcohol. I have to mention it...this doesn’t compare to their dubbel, and maybe it shouldn’t because they are different styles, but after just having the dubbel this brew seems tame.

Why does everyone have to mention the dubbel when this beer comes up? It’s the original Belgian Tripel,Westmalle may not have perfected the style,but they INVENTED IT!