Antwerp Calling
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

Perhaps located in California, Firestone Walker’s mindset is clearly in Belgium. The members only release of a Belgian Tripel Ale is enough to transport all of our tastebuds to those Belgian abbeys, if lucky enough to get your hands on one.

Cast in a yeasty and wheaten haze, the otherwise breaming golden Antwerp Calling streams with champagne-like bubbles with a full and aromatic perfume of citrus, vinous and orchard fruit with a piquant twinge of peppery spice. As its sweetness gravitates toward the early palate its the grains that set the tone with notions of honey, wafer and fresh bread.

As the bubbles and booze work to break up the malt profile, the middle palate is left with a fruity and spicy balance that leads with apple, orange, lemon, pear and pineapple. Not to be outdone, a followup of spice brings a grassy, herbal and white wine quality. Clove, coriander, vanilla and white pepper tease the late palate while a firm hop bitterness and spicy alcohol taste rounds out the finish.

Medium bodied and dangerously dry and drinkable for a stronger than usual Tripel, the beer closes more spicy than fruity or sweet with a long, heated and prickly warmth in aftertaste.

 

 

Gold, clear, no lack of foam.

Bread, touch of bitter or spice.

Sweet and something maybe not buttery but reminds me of Galaxy/melon. As advertised, hoppier than standard tripel. Coriander and something a little sharp.

A little hot, crisp finish though.

Can pour - clear pale gold straw color with thick foamy white head leaving significant frosty lacing. Nose is big yeasty esters and banana. Taste follows with hints of clove and coriander. A west coast take on Westmalle tripel. Reminds me of my times in Belgium. Abv well hidden. A valiant execution of the style.