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Sapient Trip Ale
Dark Horse Brewing Company
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Dark Horse Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Tripel
Ranked #236 - ABV:
- 9.5%
- Score:
- 83
Ranked #23,956 - Avg:
- 3.67 | pDev: 13.08%
- Reviews:
- 357
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 11, 2023
- Added:
- Apr 20, 2004
- Wants:
- 23
- Gots:
- 119
Why is the Grim Reaper holding a mailbox? Well, that mailbox is from a dead Dark Horse beer. The Grim Reaper better know as "Death" was quite found of our classic Sapient Summer Wheat Ale. When we changed it into a Belgian Style Triple, Death thought it would only be appropriate to bring something from that beer into this beer. So he picked the mailbox, and we weren’t about to argue with him. You can say what you want about him, but that Death sure has a big heart. So anyway...we brewed this beer with a Trappist yeast strain so it is very traditional. The flavors are incredibly complex with notes of mild fruit and finishes with a bit of clove. Although this beer is higher in alcohol it is very smooth and finishes dry on the palate.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by jeonseh:
Reviewed by jeonseh from Indiana
3.88/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.88/5 rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
From a bottle and poured into my Bell's tulip
A - a nice hazy golden color with hues of orange and bronze strung throughout. The beer is rather opaque as barely any light manages to penetrate the brew. Head formation was non existent as only a small number of white bubbles formed on the side of the beer, bordering the glass. Overall, the color of this one was attractive but wish it had some sort of head.
S - The odor was a mix of a light bready and yeast smell that intermingled with a hint of lemon and orange zest.
T - Initially sweet and reminded of honey. The beer is also rather fruity as I noted hints of black cherry, orange, and lemon. After the beer went down the gullet, the aftertaste was yeasty and malty. Additionally, the flavors lingered on as they took root on my tongue.
MF - As the beer first enters the mouth, it has a good bit of carbonation which is prickly on the tongue, yet never harsh. Good medium body as well and after the carbonation subdues, the mouthfeel becomes rather creamy. There was a slight astringent tingle that remained on the tongue as the flavors lingered.
D - Overall, this was one rather tasty tripel that exceeded my expectations. It had a ton of flavor and was easy to drink as well. My one criticism was that the nose did not come close to mirroring the other factors of this beer.
May 20, 2008A - a nice hazy golden color with hues of orange and bronze strung throughout. The beer is rather opaque as barely any light manages to penetrate the brew. Head formation was non existent as only a small number of white bubbles formed on the side of the beer, bordering the glass. Overall, the color of this one was attractive but wish it had some sort of head.
S - The odor was a mix of a light bready and yeast smell that intermingled with a hint of lemon and orange zest.
T - Initially sweet and reminded of honey. The beer is also rather fruity as I noted hints of black cherry, orange, and lemon. After the beer went down the gullet, the aftertaste was yeasty and malty. Additionally, the flavors lingered on as they took root on my tongue.
MF - As the beer first enters the mouth, it has a good bit of carbonation which is prickly on the tongue, yet never harsh. Good medium body as well and after the carbonation subdues, the mouthfeel becomes rather creamy. There was a slight astringent tingle that remained on the tongue as the flavors lingered.
D - Overall, this was one rather tasty tripel that exceeded my expectations. It had a ton of flavor and was easy to drink as well. My one criticism was that the nose did not come close to mirroring the other factors of this beer.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.84/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.84/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Jan. 2011: 12 fl. oz. bottle, courtesy of Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is not mentioned on the label. Murky brownish colour, moderate to low white head. Strong sweetish aroma with notes of white candi sugar; Belgian ale yeast and various spices. Moderate carbonation in the glass, but enough to make the beer fresh and pleasant to drink. The flavour is not as sweet as the aroma made me fear, the sweetness is actually well balanced with a fine spiciness and distinct hops in the finish. Nice one!
Dec 15, 2022Reviewed by flagmantho from Washington
3.58/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.58/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
I had this beer on-tap at the brewery in a tulip glass. This beer has been on my radar for a long time, if only because it's one of the most frequently-rated tripels on this site.
Appearance: rich golden hue with a thin layer of creamy ivory foam and a moderate haze. Maybe a little darker than I'm used to in the style.
Smell: lightly malty and sweet aroma. Light, but nice.
Taste: malty and boozy, with plenty of sweetness at the end. Decently strong hopping. A bit treacly and boozy - even for a tripel.
Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a moderate carbonation and creaminess.
Overall: it's not the worst thing in the world, but overall I'm not crazy about this tripel.
May 19, 2022Appearance: rich golden hue with a thin layer of creamy ivory foam and a moderate haze. Maybe a little darker than I'm used to in the style.
Smell: lightly malty and sweet aroma. Light, but nice.
Taste: malty and boozy, with plenty of sweetness at the end. Decently strong hopping. A bit treacly and boozy - even for a tripel.
Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a moderate carbonation and creaminess.
Overall: it's not the worst thing in the world, but overall I'm not crazy about this tripel.
Reviewed by Pivopijak from Washington
3.81/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
draught
Medium light, somewhat cloudy, amber look. A lightly fermented guava & spice aroma, which are kind of candied. Flavors and body are like a light Belgian ale, though a bit thin, bright hops up front, with a tiny clove/allspice character. The finish is light.
Oct 31, 2021Medium light, somewhat cloudy, amber look. A lightly fermented guava & spice aroma, which are kind of candied. Flavors and body are like a light Belgian ale, though a bit thin, bright hops up front, with a tiny clove/allspice character. The finish is light.
Reviewed by drunkenmess from Michigan
3.78/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.78/5 rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Murky orange cloudy body.
Fluffy white head settles to nice ring.
Medium sticky lace.
Nose is yeasty banana, citrus.
Taste is spicy, Belgian yeast, clove, light banana.
Body/carbonation is medium.
Nov 26, 2019Fluffy white head settles to nice ring.
Medium sticky lace.
Nose is yeasty banana, citrus.
Taste is spicy, Belgian yeast, clove, light banana.
Body/carbonation is medium.
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.92/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
From old, undated notes. Poured from the bottle.
Murky orange hue.
Minimal white head; minimal lace.
Orange & clove nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Refreshing citrus flavor with a slight funk.
Sep 08, 2019Murky orange hue.
Minimal white head; minimal lace.
Orange & clove nose.
Medium mouthfeel.
Refreshing citrus flavor with a slight funk.
Reviewed by deleted_user_1241156 from Michigan
3.81/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.81/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
I don't get the confusion. Banana, cloves, spicy--it's a Belgian Weiss beer. It even has the nutritious yeast at the bottom. Make sure you swirl the last couple ounces before pouring in your glass to get all the B vitamins and that cloudy color to your beer.
Jun 26, 2018Rated by Junior from Michigan
4.24/5 rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev +15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Purchased at Darkhorse on draft. Not very true to style - little Belgian yeast flavor or spiciness.
A great tasting beer, IMO.
Apr 22, 2018A great tasting beer, IMO.
Sapient Trip Ale from Dark Horse Brewing Company
Beer rating:
83 out of
100 with
899 ratings
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