Westmalle Tripel

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip

11.2 oz bottle pours cloudy amber with a literally explosive off white head into a tulip. Very yeasty aroma with a bit of a farmhouse smell, sweet malts, clove, dried apricots. The taste is very similar: very yeasty and musty with dried apricots and passion fruit taking the forefront. Clove and other spices come in the finish. Frothy, pillowy mouthfeel with low-medium carbonation level and medium body. Booze is slightly detectable. Seems unbalanced and it’s just too musty for me. Good but not great.

Birra delicata, grande corpo, equilibrata sia nel gusto, complesso e durevole, dove malto e luppolo si sposano alla perfezione, sia nell’olfatto. Dal colore dorato e dal fine perlage, ha una schiuma fine e piuttosto persistente.

UPDATED: OCT 19, 2011 Supposedly the most recognized of the Westmalle ales gives a very active though clear appearance in the glass. Foam is just as recognizable as the Dubbel though whiter and the degustation pleasure begins there. Very smooth and round for its percentage with lots of flavour. Overall it’s a fine trappist beer, as you notice that everything is the result of non-stressed craftsmanship. After a while the tripel took over my vote for favourite Westmalle ale over the Double, since the latter is sweeter than the zesty and more interesting Tripel.

UPDATED: APR 25, 2011 Hazy blonde with bumpy undulating thick white head like a travertine. Aroma is orchids, hops, and perfume. Dry and spicy crisp strong and great. My benchmark for dry tripel, or any tripel for that matter.

This beer tastes a lot like a dry champagne. It has a subtle fruity, ester aroma and fantastic head that lasts forever. It leaves a fairly acidic aftertaste as you sip it. I imagine that this would pair well with some some melons or berries.

Bottle. Not as good as the dubbel. Cloudy, gold color. Strong alcohol in both smell and taste. Nice, big, foamy head. Was a little underwelmed, but overall nice beer.

Pours a cloudy dark gold. huge sudsy head which eventually goes to a thick lace. Aroma is of citrus yeast and a hint of fruit. The taste is somewhat like the aroma. Alcohol is hidden at first and then gives a little bite. medium carbonation. Very smooth. A bit sticky on the lips afterward. Also a bit dry. Overall it is a very good brew. I recommend it.

Bottle. Pours an almost opaque golden yellow with a frothy white head. Tons of little floaties in the glass. Smell is strong grapefruit and lemon. Very pungent, biting aroma. Taste is spicy - pepper, coriander. Very rich texture, but goes down smooth. Obviously a very high quality beer...one of the best.