Monks' Tripel
Abbey Brewing Co. (Monastery Of Christ In The Desert)

Bottle for NM beer Christmas. Lackluster head belies terrific tripel flavor. Wish these were more common!

 

On-tap at Monks' Corner Taproom, Albuquerque, NM

A: The beer is crystal clear golden yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a quarter finger high white head that left a thin layer of bubbles on the surface, a narrow collar around the edge of the glass, and some lacing down the sides.
S: Light to moderate aromas of fruity yeast are present in the nose—apricots and peaches seem to stand out in particular.
T: The taste follows the smell and has some fruity flavors of apricots.
M: It feels medium-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer doesn't taste nearly as strong and sweet compared to other tripels—it's as if no candi sugars where used in the ingredients.

Serving type: on-tap

 

 

 

This is a clear golden color, moderately carbonated, with a medium white head. The aroma is malty, with a bit of Belgian yeast. The beer is earthy, sweet, and has some fruit in the front. Nice warmth and enjoyable.

 

 

 

12oz bottle. Poured out a clear, fizzy, golden orange with a very small, white head of foam. It left traces of thin lace. It smelled fruity with notes of clove and yeast. Some wheat and bread aromas, too. It tasted spicy, fruity and yeasty. It had a strong caramel backbone with a touch of clove.

Pours a clear, gold color. 1/2 inch head of a white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of alcohol, strong sweet malt, slight earthy malt, hint of hops, and slight spice. Fits the style of a Tripel. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of strong sweet malt, slight spices, alcohol, hint of dark citrus, slight hops, hint of earthy malt, and slight pale malt. Overall, a smooth Tripel, that is not hurt by the alcohol. A great blend, possibly the best blended Tripel I've ever had, but the body is a little weak.

 

 

 

Pours a hazy honey orange with a foamy khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Thin streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of grain, honey, dried citrus peel, and spice aromas. Taste is much the same with honey, fruit, earth, and spice flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer that is a solid American take on the style.

Serving type: bottle.

 

 

 

Sweet, heavy and some spice. Alcohol plays a role in the flavor in the not the most subtle of way. Decent but nothing special.