Trappist Extra
Brouwerij Westmalle

A: pillowy white one finger head, hazy straw gold body,
S: skunky hop aromas, prominent biscuity malt and grainy notes, subtle hints of noble hops
T: mild but prominent phenols, prominent citrus and a more pronounced tartness, pleasant and very prominent minerality almost like Perrier, a pleasant sweet-tart-astringent marriage in the finish, with a slight bitterness.
M: medium body, very dry
O: this is an excellent session beer, its only failure is not being affordable enough to buy in large quantities to sell at parties. It is refined, simple a beautiful, in a word, excellent.

 

11.2 oz bottle poured into a tulip glass. Marvelously complex flavors of green apple, pear, white peach, light candi sugar, spice (coriander), and hints of bubblegum and floral hops. Overall, this is a beer that makes me want to drink more Belgian (specially Trappist) beers. Amazing stuff.

 

Appearance: An over abundance of head is the only negative here, as three fingers worth crept up on me an overflowed the glass. It left ample lace behind, retained extremely well and well compliments the slightly cloudy gold body that showcases it's high carbonation.

Smell: Mild floral hops, far more subdued then most pale ale but probably where a Belgian rendition should be. Cereal grain and notes of pear take a back seat and seem to come out as the beer warms, and reveals an occasional note of bubble gum. That said, that warming is needed to achieve respectable potency.

Taste: Starts with pear, grain and maybe a bit of apricot and moves onto bubblegum and herbs that just seem to work before light floral and earthy hops clean things up nicely. Remarkable in it's simplicity, and while isn't quite a full bouquet of flavor, it knows what it is and when to stop.

Mouthfeel: It is here this beer reveals what it is, and that is a crisp, easy and joyful experience as beautiful transitioning, perfect carbonation with just a mild floral hop and apricot aftertaste that sticks around a short while and departs quickly. There's nothing negative I can say here.

Drinkability: Light, bright and refreshing which while it could use a bit more character, still does an exceptional job with what it brings to the table, which is completely understandable with the slightly lower ABV.

Final Thoughts: Trappist/Belgian beer when done well, knows when to stop and this beer does just that. I honestly wish some brewers would experiment on this slightly lighter but not light beer territory ABV. However, most seem to feel they are obligated to brew to 5% which is fine. Really, the only downside is this beer, while more complex then many, is at it's core a plain brew done to a tee. Two thumbs up, and not surprising from the Trappist Monks.

Picked up a 330ml bottle from the Appalachian Vintner 12-7-23 for $5.22. Bottled 2022 APR 17; Best Before 2024 APR 07; consumed 10-4-23.

Beer poured pale gold with a very nice long lasting white head.

Nose is giving estery notes of apple and pear.

Taste is wonderful and the pale malt base is so light yet allows the yeast to do it thing and impart a wonderful pear and apple flavor profile. Hopping is spot on and finishes perfectly balanced in the end.

Mouthfeel is perfection! Light bodied and so very smooth as each sip is so light.

Overall, wow this has got to be the best BPA i have ever had!

golden, yeasty pour with unremarkable aroma, particularly compared with the other Westmalles. semi-sweet with a twinge of bubble gum and subtle fruit. low abv, typical belgian trap brew....

 

Bottled 11.24.22

Purchased from local grocer for $4 unrefrigerated

Poured at fridge temp into a big ol wine glass.

Pours a cloudy but brilliant golden with a fluffy foam cap. 4

Earthy honey and sweet florals, banana esters. Some light pepper. Honestly there is a lot going on and I don't think I'm adept enough to pick up on all of it, but it's clearly brilliantly done. 4.25

I feel taste follows. It reminds me of a gentle version of a favorite Tripel of mine, minus the clean Belgian Candi Sugar. Initially banana and yeast, joined by pepper and earthy near woody notes, and light fruity ester finish. 4.25

Frothy and full bodied without being heavy or filling. Mild biting carbo that softens out very quickly. 4.25

Overall it's an experience of a beer and one I'll keep coming back to, to learn and appreciate more. I was expecting a nearly clear body, but I suspect the cloudiness of mine was due to improper merchant storage 4.25

Pours a clear golden yellow with plenty of foam in the Orval chalice. I apparently have never had this before, and it shines a light on the gentler side of Belgian brewing. Flavors of apples and cereal. Light and bright with carbonation. It still has the fruity flavors and the estery finish, but all very refined. It is quite flavorful, just not bitter or yeasty tasting. This is one you must taste for your beer education, and also the sheer pleasure. From the 11.2 oz bottle. Dated 2022 April 07.

Golden colour, slightly hazy. White foam, high and persistent. It is made up of small bubbles.
Aroma malty, yeasty, cellar-like. Fruit esters and spice accents complete the aroma palette.
Taste is malty sweetness and dry hoppy notes, enhanced especially in the finish.
Saturation high. Medium body. Soft texture. Medium-long, malty, yeasty aftertaste.
14.08.2021

This is close to my favorite ever. It’s close to the corked Saison Dupont. I can't name a flaw in this beer. Simply OUTSTANDING! I guess my only gripe is that it's expensive. Other than that it’s perfect. So incredibly drinkable. I could absolutely drink this beer every day for the rest of my life.

 

Pours a fairly light yellow, almost the color of straw. Huge white head that is in no hurry to go away, and a lot of bubbles.

The smell reminds me of spring, fresh mowed grass, also maybe a hint of spice.

The taste also reminds me of spring, grassy and floral with an herbal background. There is a bit of sweetness at the end, with a lingering bitterness.

The feel is more solid then expected, not tongue coating, but fairly solid for the style.

Overall a pretty good summer beer, but not quite as solid as most Trappist beers I have had. I do think for its intended purpose, it works well, not heavy or overly complex, just a decent summer beer that won't wear you down.

The pour is golden yellow. The taste is orange, white pepper, & mild bubblegum notes. Cheers! B

 

 

Brouwerij Westmalle "Trappist Extra"
11.2 fl. oz. brown glass bottle coded:
"1 BOTTLED ON•2 BEST BEFORE
1 2022 NOV 24
2 2024 NOV 24
6 15706"
Sampled on 2023 JUN 25

Notes via stream of consciousness: Carefull poured into a large tulip glass a massive head of densely foamy white has risen up over a hazy golden body. Hundreds of very fine bubbles can be seen rising within suggesting that this beer is bottle conditioned. The aroma is as fresh as crisp and cool spring air with with notes of grain, grass, coriander seed, and distant lemon. The flavor follows, as is often the case, with more of everything found in the aroma, particularly the lemon and grassiness. It's also a bit floral, and lightly herbal. Having poured the remaining contents of the bottle I can now see that there are lees at the base, confirming that it is bottle-conditioned. The bubbles continue to stream upwards from the bottom of the glass, bolstering the head and maintaining a solid, pillowy surface covering. There are also thin rings of lace left behind on the glass where each sip was taken, and what look like mountains rising up from the surface of the beer. In the mouth it's medium-light in body, gently bristling on the tongue at first, and then quite smooth once it's warmed a bit. This is a classic due to it's perfect balance, polish, depth of character, and high drinkability and satiating qualities.
Review #8,668

I guess this only recently became available in Texas? I've never seen this before, and I've been drinking Westmalle for nearly 30 years.

Hazy gold color with many fine bubbles streaming upward, and a large, thick head of foam. Light malt aroma with grassy, floral hops. Taste offers nice sweet, very light bodied malt. Not nearly as hoppy as the stronger westmalles, of course. Bitterness is medium-low, but there's lots of floral hop flavor. A very drinkable beer! Too bad it's so pricey.