Sapient Trip Ale
Dark Horse Brewing Company

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From:
Dark Horse Brewing Company
 
Michigan, United States
Style:
Tripel
Ranked #233
ABV:
9.5%
Score:
83
Ranked #23,992
Avg:
3.67 | pDev: 13.08%
Reviews:
357
Ratings:
899
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 tigg924:
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Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts

3.53/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: 1/4 inch head, cloudy, orange/brown in color

Smell: apples and Belgian spices

Taste: apples, pears, Belgian spices like coriander and clove, some alcohol

Mouthfeel: medium/light bodied, medium carbonation, semi-sweet

Drinkability: A slightly above average tripel. The spicing is good and hits the mark. However, nothing really jumped out to me about this one.
May 13, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.04 by Jacob313 from Michigan

Apr 11, 2023
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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
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, 2022
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Reviewed 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
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, 2022
Photo of Pivopijak
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
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, 2021
 
Rated: 3.61 by blissfulNemo from Michigan

Oct 10, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by rare_bird from Michigan

Dec 02, 2019
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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
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, 2019
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

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, 2019
 
Rated: 4.11 by MrHoonlee from Minnesota

Aug 29, 2018
 
Rated: 3.83 by LarrysDeerGut from Illinois

Jul 29, 2018
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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
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, 2018
 
Rated: 4.42 by BigRipCity from Alaska

Jun 11, 2018
 
Rated: 3.66 by smithj4 from New York

May 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4.4 by 94rocker1 from Michigan

May 07, 2018
 
Rated: 3.34 by Half-full from Illinois

Apr 26, 2018
Photo of Junior
Rated by Junior from Michigan

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, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by -Andrew- from Michigan

Dec 30, 2017
 
Rated: 3.31 by AyatollahGold from Indiana

Dec 13, 2017
 
Rated: 3.81 by Wrigfen from South Carolina

Dec 08, 2017
Sapient Trip Ale from Dark Horse Brewing Company
Beer rating: 83 out of 100 with 899 ratings