Sprecher - Abbey Triple

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Abbey Triple Belgian Style Ale
Sprecher Brewing Company
701 West Glendale Avenue
Glendale, WI USA
Est. 1985
www.sprecherbrewery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0

Postmortem Brew Review
Slightly hazy, mostly orange color.
Floral, citrus hops nose along with more citrus fruit and bready tones. A bit of clove and banana esters also at play.
White, two finger frothy head. Tight bubbles that dissipate slowly and leave a draped lacing on the glass.
Taste starts a bit thin, but then fruits and citrus come out. Clove and spice pronounced as it warms in the glass.
Moderate carbonation.
Medium bodied. Interesting balances of flavor and easy to drink.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
Is it a bad thing when you don't remember how beer ends up in your possession? Well, it is very curious because I'm the only one that places them in the fridge. Early onset Alzheimer's, no doubt!

Pulling and prodding through the stock of beer in the mortuary cooler, I noticed this one. "Hmmmm...", I pondered how it got there. Nevertheless, a Belgian style ale that just shows up in the fridge is like finding twenty dollars in the pocket of your old blue jeans. "It's time to spend this one...", I thought out loud.

It was good - indeed, very good. Is it the very best Belgian style I've had? No. But it has all the elements of becoming a great one. Everything is there. The banana and clove, the beautiful orange/amber tones with an ample white frothy head. Bready, yeasty smells and taste. Yup, it's all in there.

I enjoyed it, the same way I would have enjoyed spending that twenty bucks, especially considering there was no buyer's remorse with this beer. Whereas the twenty was mine to begin with, I really can't recall how the Sprecher ended up in the fridge. So, that made it a double, (or Tripel), bonus! Ha-HA!

It was tasty, though it took some persistence on my part to wait out the proper temp. Once that was achieved, the flavors did shine through. Interesting to note that this is made in Wisconsin. So I am happy to find yet another American brewer producing Belgian Style ales.

Stone Cold Fact: Sprecher Brewery also makes sodas, as do several other micro breweries. Nice to know.

U S A ! - U S A ! - U S A !

New Belgium - Trippel

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Trippel
New Belgium Brewing
500 Linden Street
Fort Collins, CO USA
Est. 1991
www.newbelgium.com 


Brain Damage Quotient = 7.8 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 


Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy bright golden color.
Lemon and spice aroma with some sweet apple notes.
Delicate foamy, bright white, one-finger head.
Slightly spotted lacing on the glass.
Light spice taste with touch of apple-like sweetness.
Moderate carbonation.
Light to medium bodied. Alcohol is masked.


Grim Reaper's Eulogy
We don't get this one around these parts, so when offered a chance to try, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do so. New Belgium's Trippel is on the mark for the style, but not as bold or brilliant as other Belgian Tripel's that I've tried. It lacks the more typical banana note elements, but does impart a nice bouquet that includes a sweet apple fragrance. Although there is a definite spice component, it is just not as punctuated as other Belgian Tripel's I have sampled.


I have had the opportunity to enjoy a few of these at the New Belgium Brewery on a couple of occasions, in Fort Collins, CO. From the tap, this is a very refreshing and delicious Tripel. Sadly, it seems the bottle conditioned version wasn't what I remembered it to be from those past tap room experiences.


I have been spoiled by drinking too many of this style that are direct from Belgium lately. But on the other hand, the thought of how my palate has developed over the past several years has shown me how to discern the nuances. Still, this is a solid Tripel to enjoy and I would not hesitate recommending it to someone who has yet to try the style.

Maredsous - Tripel 10

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Maredsous Triple (Tripel) 10

Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat

Abbaye-Abdij

Breendonkdorp 58

Breendonk-Puurs, 2870 Belgium

Est. 1871

www.maredsousbieres.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 10.0 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 11.2 

Postmortem Brew Review

Deep golden color. Translucent.
Malty sweetness and dark fruits on the nose.

Smallish, light white head. Dissipates over time.

Surprisingly it has long stretchy lacing on glass.

Higher amount of malt than other Tripel's. Fruits flavors seem all over the map; cherry, apple, raisin.

Medium amount of carbonation.

Light/medium body. Alcohol is noticeable from middle of sip throughout finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Maredsous Triple is like none other that I've tasted in the Tripel style. There is a more pronounced malt presence and the fruits are coming in from all over. Not to say that this is a bad thing.

The alcohol is high at 10% ABV and this ale makes no bones about it. About midway through the sip it comes bang on and sticks around with warmth and booziness. Again, not a bad thing.

Maredsous Tripel/Triple 10. A different Tripel. Not a bad thing!

St. Bernardus - Watou Tripel

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St. Bernardus Watou Tripel
Brouwerij St. Bernard NV
Trappisenweg, Watou, Belgium
Est.1985

http://www.sintbernardus.be/en/beers.html

Brain Damage Quotient = 7.5 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 25.4 


Postmortem Brew Review 
Hazy yellow orange in color with golden hues.
Lots of honey and yeast aromas up front.
Creamy and frothy white head that settles down to a cover.
Bread and grains with sweet fruit notes on the palate.
Just the right amount of bubbly carbonation.
Delicious, pleasantly refreshing.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
From the land where the monks are happy, and it's no surprise why. Watou is named after the "burg" it hails from, though the folks at St. Bernardus have other tripels in their arsenal. This one is as good as any (or even better) that you'll find from any of the Belgium brew houses.

Watou. Even the name is fun to say. As in Watou gonna' hav' mon? As for me, I'll have another Watou Tripel. Praise to the monks and pass the ale.

St. Bernardus - Tripel

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St. Bernardus Tripel
Brouwerij St. Bernard NV
Trappisenweg, Watou, Belgium
Est.1985

www.sintbernardus.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.0 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 11.2  

Postmortem Brew Review
Hazy yellow orange in color with golden hues.
Pleasing citrus and yeast aroma.
Creamy and frothy white head that simmers fairly quickly.
Bread and crisp apples in the taste.
Just a bit of carbonation; very mild.
Delicious, pleasantly refreshing with no alcohol finish.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
There's that happy monk on the label again! He's happy cause he's holding another smashing beer from the St. Bernardus lineup. A very nice, very deliciously refreshing Tripel. You won't find any flaws with this one.

These fellas know how to treat their beer. The back label has the correct serving temperature as well as an expiration date that is a few years down the road, due to the high ABV. Hats off to the monks for this indulgence.

Brouwerij Bosteels - Tripel Karmeliet

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Tripel Karmeliet
Brouwerij Bosteels
Kerkstraat 96
9255 Buggenhout, BelgiumEst. 1679 
www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.4 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2 and 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review
Clear deep golden color that slowly turns to a haze.
Sweet fruit (apricot) and yeast smell. Slight coriander whiffs.
Bright white tightly bubbled head that quickly dissipates to cover.
Yeast globules slowly fall in the head/body suspension.
Clean fruit taste. Soft notes of yeast taste.
Minimal carbonation.
Medium body. Deliciously syrupy on the tongue.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
This is a tripel to behold. Superior in color, texture, flavor and appearance to any that you have had before. I was completely caught off guard as to how delicious it was in taste.  The appearance is at first crystal clear in its yellow/golden color and then once settled, it actually turns just a bit hazy.

Globs of yeasty goodness descend through the crisp, tightly bubbled, white fizzy head.  They plunge through the golden body and turn from clear to translucent in color. It is like watching artwork form in the glass. The traditional Belgian yeast is present in the taste, but soft and muted. And I mean that in a good way. It adds, not subtracts, in the taste and enjoyment of this finely crafted ale.

Go get some of this soon and become enlightened. I was.

The Bruery - Trade Winds Belgian Tripel

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Trade Winds Belgian Tripel

The Bruery

715 Dunn Way

Placentia, CA USA

Est. 2008

www.thebruery.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.1 % ABV

Fluid Oz. = 25.4

Postmortem Brew Review

Rusty deep copper/brown color.

Fruit and mixed spices that are tough to discern, in aroma.

One finger off-white head that quickly vanishes.

Citrus plus a sweet caramel malt taste.
Belgian yeast spice lingering in the finish, along with the basil.

Smoothly carbonated.

Light to medium bodied.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy

Here's a super easy to drink tripel. The 8.1% ABV makes it even easier, though it had a ever so slight boozy quality about it, in taste. The basil was an unusual twist on a tripel, but not repulsive. I found that the Thai basil made for an interesting spice addition, but it didn't show up in the aroma, rather at the end of the sip.

Try some if you find it in your area. Very different from what you might be used to in a Belgian style tripel, but it makes for a surprising, not ordinary, tripel.

Val Dieu - Triple Abbey Ale

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Val Dieu Triple
Brasserie de L'Abbaye du Val~Dieu
Val Dieu, 225
Aubel, Belgium
Est. 1997
www.val-dieu.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 11.2

Postmortem Brew Review
Turbid golden color.
Yeasty smell.
White bright soapy tight bubbled head.
Lots of sparkling nucleation.
Amazing hanging lacing on glass.
Crisp taste with slight apple notes.
Light golden body. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
From their website, "The abbey of Val-Dieu was built 1216 by Cistercian monks. They were looking for a lone valley with a stream for agricultural and brewing activities, a haven of peace full of nature. Cistercian orders are well-known abroad for their brewing skills. The monks of this abbey made no exception to this rule." It seems that over the centuries, the Abbey fell into different states of disrepair. Thankfully, it was re-established in 1997.

As for the ale, it has the characteristics of any fine tripel.  It has an apple taste along with the yeast component.  There was also a hint of wine flavor, mmm, that's what seemed to come through.  I bought this as my third Father's Day ale, this time to honor my own dad. It may not have been what he would have drunk back in the 50's and 60's, but I would have liked to introduce him to this style.  I'm certain he would have enjoyed it a lot.

Too bad Val~Dieu didn't learn how to spell Tripel correctly. Ahh, who cares what's on the bottle as long as it's good in the bottle.

Unibroue - La Fin Du Monde

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
La Fin Du Monde
Unibroue Inc.
80, Des Carrieres
Chambly, Quebec Canada
Est. 1992
unibroue.com/products

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0 

Postmortem Brew Review
Light honey colored body with slight haze.
Whiffs of alcohol, some kind of fruit (pear), some clove and yeast.
Two fingered fluffy white head with good lacing and retention.
Medium carbonation.
Very slight alcohol taste as it warms, a bit of peppery taste.
Full flavor, complex aromas.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy
What's that on the label? Why it's the very northern provinces of Quebec (and Newfoundland) Canada. In other words, "The End of the World" as La Fin du Monde loosely translates.

Bottle refermented, this Tripel shows that great abbey style Belgian beer is much sought after, even in the furthest reaches of civilization.  And for good reason.  When you've got one chance to get it right, you have to go for it.  And go for it they do, at Unibroue.  This is so light and easy, while having the characteristics of true Belgian Tripels.

So, lucky for you and me, we do not have to go to the ends of the earth to get such luxurious ale.  It's just north of the border in lovely Canada and a good thing to have on hand at The End of the World.

Chimay Tripel (White)

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Chimay Tripel (White)
Bieres de Chimay S.A.
Route Charlemagne, 8
6464 Baileux (CHIMAY) Belgium
Est. 1862
www.chimay.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 8.0 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 12.0  (On Tap) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Solid amber color with a slight haze.
Dry spicy hops presence and yeast nose.
Off-white head with lacing that coats the glass.
Head simmers to a wisp.
Mouth feel medium; fruity aftertaste.
Smooth, medium bodied mouth feel.

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
Trappist Monks have beer and cheese down pat.  Chimay is one of only six Belgian beers that are allowed to carry the "Trappist" designation.  Deliciously fruity, this tripel owes its taste to muscat grape and raisin flavors.  According to their website, the beer's after bitterness "melts in your mouth."  I did not get too much of the aforementioned bitterness, but instead the complex grape scents and aromas.  Pleasant indeed.

I was surprised at how balanced all of the components were combined.  Even more surprising was how easy they were to pick out in smell and taste.  That is the sure sign of a well formulated brew.  As usual, I attempt to discover these on my own through the sample first, jotting down flavors and nuances.  I always do this before reading the label, the website, or any other tasting notes.

A friendly reminder --- as this beer is at the entry point of a high ABV, you'll want to be sure to sip and enjoy, and not gulp.  There is a lot going on in the body, so savor the flavor.

Victory - Golden Monkey

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Where to Dig Up More About This Beer
Golden Monkey
Victory Brewing Company
420 Acorn Lane
Downington, PA USA
Est.1996
www.victorybeer.com

Brain Damage Quotient = 9.5 % ABV
Fluid Oz. = 4.0 (On Tap - Flight) 

Postmortem Brew Review
Syrupy light golden color. Some particle suspension.
Sweet fruit aroma; think apples. Not a lot of yeast.
Soapy white head that reveals excellent string lacing.
Light tasting like a wheat with sweet fruit finish.
Very little carbonation leaving a slight viscous body.
Alcohol is well hidden for a Trippel.
Light to medium bodied.  Well balanced flavors. 

Grim Reaper's Eulogy 
A new craft beer bar has come to town in Sarasota.  Mr. Beery's opened this week and we thought we'd give it a go.  Since we were having an unseasonal downpour, the regular stop would have been treacherous to transit.  We agreed upon this meeting place for the evening.  Partly due to the proximity to home and the bus line, should it be necessary.  Practice safe imbibing skills, my followers!

A tidy, non-nonsense brick and wood interior contained a gleaming chrome tap line.  We were dazzled!  It contained a tremendous assortment of suds from which to choose.  There were North American and European brews on tap and chillin' in the fridges, too.  A chalkboard in the corner proclaimed the oft seen and spoken words of true craft beer establihments, "No Crap On Tap!"  Yeah, baby!

When confronted by the plethora of delectable beer choices, our beer-tender, Rick, helped us settle upon a flight of four.  The first up was this delicious Belgian style trippel from American craft brewers, Victory.  There was so much going on in this one.  The fruitiness, the low carbonation, the high ABV, the sumptuous pale golden color.  I didn't get all of the yeast complexities associated with this style.  Nevertheless, it was a treat for the eyes and the taste buds.  You gotta' get yourself some of this, monkey!