Westmalle Tripel

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

Starts with that nostalgic and pleasant aroma of banana and mixed fruit baby food, with a less banana and lighter overall than most of this variety I have experienced. Had a very complex flavor that makes me want to try again, some spice and also a bit of scotch whiskey. It was also a bit sour for my tastes and this lowered the score, but it may have been just this bottle so must try again.

33cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, complex Trappist, cloudy, small head, good brew, but not a topper

A very nice brew, poured on draft in Brussels. Cloudy golden with a retiring cream head. Tastes of crisp wheat, a bit of banana, shrp citrus, and a nicely biting yeastiness.

Golden colour, thick white head. Aroma of fruits, alcohol, some spice and yeast. Taste is fruity, spicy, alchohol, citrus. Never too sweet, really smooth, highly drinkable tripel. One of the best.

Certainly one of the world’s great beers. MJ recommends a bit of age and I am certainly in agreement with the man. The assertive banana of youth rounds out to incorporate more orange, apricot and spice, sometimes some other citrus flavours, honey and more spicy hops. I think it is a hugely complex beer. There are a wealth of different notes coming from each ingredient and it all comes together extremely well. A refreshing quality alongside a sipping quality. Excellent carbonation. The beer is truly alive!

Pours a cloudy golden orange color with a moderate white head that lasts and leaves good lacing. Aroma is honey, dried cherries and yeast. Flavor is complex, with citrus to go along with bread and sweet fruits. For such a high ABV, it really masks the alcohol well. Finish is fantastic, as the alcohol dissipates and leaves a spicy but smooth aftertaste.

A lot more concentrated compared to the Dubbel. Aroma is complex with dark mixed dried fruit and malts, yeast and wheat bread. Appearance is elegant and bubbles like champagne, not a typical beer head. Flavor is strong as the aromas and the palate is crisp and acidic like brut bubbly. A great beer, no doubt, but I’m new to tripels and dubbel so hard for me to quantify at this time. I’ll have to revisit later.

It gets a 4.9 from me only if I ever come across a beer that is better than this one. It was expensive at over $4 a bottle! But man was it worth the price tag. Best beer I’ve had so far.