Trappist Tripel
Brouwerij Westmalle

Unfiltered golden color, with fruity aroma and taste. Dangerously easy to drink at 9%.

 

 

 

 

a: burn copper color with some definite chill haze going on. a touch of yellow towards the bottom, and a really nice 2-3 finger solid off-white head that looks like a coin could rest on it

s: green apples, banana, and clove upfront. cardamom, pepper, and green pears behind that. some grassy grains and malt sweetness as well as some lemongrass and sharp sweet citrus. amazing aroma

t: loads of banana and cardamom upfront. sweet pears and green apple skin along with some pepper spice and sweet grassy grains. a hint of alcohol sharpness is here, but well-hidden. faint clove an coriander in the background as well

m: medium-heavy mouthfeel with strong carbonation

o: fantastic beer, and what i think one of the benchmarks for the style should be. complex, yet drinkable and dangerous

 

 

11.2 fl oz. bottle, bottled JAN 06 2022, best by JAN 06 2024, we're about right in the middle plus a few months. Excited to finally be trying the world renowed Trappist Tripel by Westmalle. Acquired at the local Binny's, I've had this sitting in the fridge for a couple of months..

Poured to Piraat stemware.
A: Pours a nicely crisp golden body, deep in color, rich looking. Pillowy finger point five of creamy white frothy head. Good thick ribbons of lacing. Looks excellent for sure.
S: Good creamy aroma. Notes of orchard fruits, apples, pears, leaves.
T: Taste follows, lots of crisp orchard fruits, green apple, pear. Cidery, with a hot alcoholic bite at the end.
F: Feel is a bit thick & heavy. Well-carbonated, but definitely a beer you will want to sip slowly. Alcohol content is hot & boozy, reminiscent of nail polish remover / booze fumes.
Overall, it was fun to try, and I'm definitely interested in trying more authentic trappist made ales, but Tripels are typically not my thing to begin with. The quality of the ingredients shows, but the booziness killed it for me.

Westmalle Trappist Tripel -----3.75/5

 

Pours cloudy honey yellow with an enormous white head that leaves generous lacing. Aroma is caramel malt, banana, yeast and pepper. Flavor follows the nose magically. Feel is light and well carbonated. Overall, fantastic.

I've had Westmalle blonde before and enjoyed it, but the tripel knocks it out of the park. Pours beautifully with a long lasting three finger head. Dreamy floral notes, honey sweetness and lovely to see the little clouds of yeast floating in the straw-gold haze. Surprising. Delicious. One to remember.

 

 

 

 

1cl taster at the Zythos festival in Kortrijk. This is a very good tripel. To add there are many good tripels along with many other styles.