Marilyn
Crystal Springs Brewing Company

had a pour at the Terminal Bar at Union Station in downtown Denver. Almost $8 for a 10 oz pour of tripel? (Not like this is an expensive beer to make- Whoa didn't expect that. Better be really amazing.

L: nice light gold color w/ lively carbonation. less than one inch white head- recedes a bit after the initial pour.

S: some vanilla and clove, feint esters, bit of booze too

T: fairly clean, not a lot of Belgian esters- lots of heat/booze too, maybe the yeast was pooped out or they could dial back the ABV- sort of detracts from the flavor. Some clove/honey character which is nice. could be a bit more dry.

F: medium body/fairly crisp

O: Overall a bit too boozy and not a lot of character or complexity. Sort of an average trippel I wouldn't seek out again, especially for the lofty pricetag.

i have been really impressed with all the beers i have had from crystal springs, which really isnt all that many, but all of them have been excellent. this one is a little more straight forward than some of the others they do, just a classic belgian golden type with both a nice hop profile and with a strong of sweet vanilla right down the middle. its clear in color and very bright in the glass and on the palate, carbonation makes it sing. the yeast strain is really delicate for a belgian, not nearly as fruity as others, it just contributes a portion rather than most of the flavor, pale pils type malt gives a moderate dry cereal quality, and that vanilla sweetness, wherever it comes from, is real pleasant and not overbearing at all. refreshing beer, not sure of its strength, but its a real easy drinker in a stronger vehicle. cool that cans of this are hitting shelves now, i hope they do well. i need to get up there to the brewery to visit before long. a true to style and well made belgian blonde here.

 

APPEARANCE: Straw, pale, yellow in color with a light haze. The head foams up to about a quarter of an inch before quickly settling into a wispy cap over the surface.

SMELL: Typical Belgian aromas waft up from this beer; banana, clove, a touch of bubble gum. Additionally, a hefty dose of citrus comes through, mostly in the form of lemon with just a hint of grapefruit.

TASTE: The bubble gum from the nose is much more pronounced in the flavor. Banana, oh the banana, this stuff is tasty. It's right behind the bubble gum and supported by a nice peppery and clove flavor.

MOUTHFEEL: Bright is the first word that comes to mind when I sip this beer. It's a little on the sweet side, but balanced enough and medium in body. Gorgeous mouthfeel.

OVERALL: This is a supremely drinkable beer, particularly for a Strong Belgian. It works in the summer, but it's big enough for the cold Colorado winter. Very well done.

 

Sour grape/Green apples dominate beer
crystal clear,with no head whatsoever.
Tastes is exactly what one would expect from the nose of this beer.
Sour and dry,anything but what one would expect from a Belgian pale.
If one were to pour this beer and tell you it was a cider you would be hard pressed to prove them wrong...
With the ABV being "over 9%" this beer/cider isn't worth the hangover,is going straight to the drain...

 

A - Lots of head that soon shrinks to a nice coating on top. Lacing is strong and thick on the sides of the glass. Hazy golden yellow color.

S - Faint citrus scent.

T - The citrus is really showing here, as well as spiciness, but not in a overpowering grapefruit style. Now more in the background. Lingers a bit after but not strongly.

M - Really feel the carbonation in my mouth at first but then it quickly fades to a more subtle feel. Finishes dry as advertised on their site.

Don't usually drink Belgians but this was a nice refreshing brew.