Straffe Hendrik Tripel
Brouwerij De Halve Maan
- From:
- Brouwerij De Halve Maan
- Belgium
- Style:
- Belgian Tripel
Ranked #58 - ABV:
- 9%
- Score:
- 89
Ranked #14,002 - Avg:
- 4 | pDev: 11%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 206
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Thursday at 10:19 PM
- Added:
- Feb 12, 2009
- Wants:
- 37
- Gots:
- 171
SCORE
89
Very Good
89
Very Good
Straffe Hendrik is a Bitter Tripel Ale of 9% abv. The beer was originally from Bruges and brewed in Bruges by brewery De Halve Maan.
In 1981, Henri Maes and his daughter Véronique followed the demand of the mayor and created a strong blond beer for the inauguration of the statue of Sint-Arnoldus, the saint of all beer-brewers. However, the beer became so popular, that the demand for the beer continued. It was given the name of Straffe Hendrik (Strong Hendrick), since it was a rich and strong beer.
Today, Straffe Hendrik is the last authentic Tripel Ale of Bruges.
In 1981, Henri Maes and his daughter Véronique followed the demand of the mayor and created a strong blond beer for the inauguration of the statue of Sint-Arnoldus, the saint of all beer-brewers. However, the beer became so popular, that the demand for the beer continued. It was given the name of Straffe Hendrik (Strong Hendrick), since it was a rich and strong beer.
Today, Straffe Hendrik is the last authentic Tripel Ale of Bruges.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by drtth:
Reviewed by drtth from Pennsylvania
4.17/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
The beer pours out into a Duvel glass a lightly hazy golden honey color with a 1 1/2" fluffy, ivory head, even using a gentle pour so as to not disturb any sediment that might be lying around. While the head begins to recede visibly there is a persistent 1/16" or more layer of foam on the liquid for quite a long period of time. Sipping results in some large patches of lacing that slide back down to the liquid and a few widely scattered speckles of lacing.
The aromas include malt, yeast (clearly Belgian), orchard fruit and spice. With the spice being mostly coriander and white pepper.
The flavors pretty much follow the nose with some malt sweetness and biscuit character, the tang of coriander and white pepper, a bit of apple and some almost hidden vegetal, herbal hops.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a light touch of persistent carbonation. The moderately long finish begins as the sweetness fades allowing the spices to take over for a bit before the hop character and bitterness emerge. Eventually the feel goes almost dry.
Overall this seems a well made Tripel and I'm glad that I have more wating to be consumed. That said, if I'm going to go out of my way to pick just one Tripel for a desert island, I'd be going after the Westmalle, which has a bit of an edge on this one.
Oct 05, 2015The aromas include malt, yeast (clearly Belgian), orchard fruit and spice. With the spice being mostly coriander and white pepper.
The flavors pretty much follow the nose with some malt sweetness and biscuit character, the tang of coriander and white pepper, a bit of apple and some almost hidden vegetal, herbal hops.
The mouthfeel is medium bodied with a light touch of persistent carbonation. The moderately long finish begins as the sweetness fades allowing the spices to take over for a bit before the hop character and bitterness emerge. Eventually the feel goes almost dry.
Overall this seems a well made Tripel and I'm glad that I have more wating to be consumed. That said, if I'm going to go out of my way to pick just one Tripel for a desert island, I'd be going after the Westmalle, which has a bit of an edge on this one.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
4.75/5 rDev +18.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.75/5 rDev +18.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
750ml Bottle
Caged/Corked
Best Before/End: 20-02-2026
Poured into a Westy glass a very nice dark orangey color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy/foamy two-finger white head, which also leaves some very nice small islands, and some pretty nice creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, yeasty, with some banana/coriander/clove, pears, lemon, grassy, licorice. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, yeasty, with some banana, coriander/clove, pears, lemon, grassy, with some licorice. Medium body, ABV hidden very well, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a very tasty beer.
Jan 18, 2026Caged/Corked
Best Before/End: 20-02-2026
Poured into a Westy glass a very nice dark orangey color, very nice carbonation, with a very nice thick/creamy/foamy two-finger white head, which also leaves some very nice small islands, and some pretty nice creamy sticky lacing behind. The nose is very nice, malty, hoppy, yeasty, with some banana/coriander/clove, pears, lemon, grassy, licorice. The taste is very nice, malty, hoppy, yeasty, with some banana, coriander/clove, pears, lemon, grassy, with some licorice. Medium body, ABV hidden very well, with a nice little dry/bitter finish. Overall, a very tasty beer.
Reviewed by IrishPole from Ireland
4.29/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.29/5 rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Straffe Hendrik Tripel
Poured from bottle into goblet style glass.
Look:
Pours a big, foamy head with a golden yellow color. A lively bubble vortex in the glass. Overall looks great slightly hazy.
Aroma:
Malty and hoppy with a touch of pepper.
Taste:
Hoppy and citrus-fruity to start, finishing pleasantly bitter yet extremely well balanced. Doesn’t leave a dry or lingering bitterness finishes clean. Slight notes of grain near the end of the glass.
Mouthfeel:
Perfect, lively carbonation. Medium-light body. So drinkable and crisp.
Overall:
Amazing beer. So drinkable, crisp, zesty, and lively. Slight malt sweetness immediately balanced by fruity, hoppy notes with a pleasantly bitter finish that doesn’t overstay its welcome, leaving you wanting another sip. 9% ABV but you’d never tell as expected from a Belgian. Refined, well-balanced, and incredibly drinkable. Hop forward and fun. 100% would have again.
Oct 06, 2025Poured from bottle into goblet style glass.
Look:
Pours a big, foamy head with a golden yellow color. A lively bubble vortex in the glass. Overall looks great slightly hazy.
Aroma:
Malty and hoppy with a touch of pepper.
Taste:
Hoppy and citrus-fruity to start, finishing pleasantly bitter yet extremely well balanced. Doesn’t leave a dry or lingering bitterness finishes clean. Slight notes of grain near the end of the glass.
Mouthfeel:
Perfect, lively carbonation. Medium-light body. So drinkable and crisp.
Overall:
Amazing beer. So drinkable, crisp, zesty, and lively. Slight malt sweetness immediately balanced by fruity, hoppy notes with a pleasantly bitter finish that doesn’t overstay its welcome, leaving you wanting another sip. 9% ABV but you’d never tell as expected from a Belgian. Refined, well-balanced, and incredibly drinkable. Hop forward and fun. 100% would have again.
Rated by ttoadee from Texas
4.1/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
RB transfer
Jul 08, 2025Reviewed by hman43 from North Carolina
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Look: It pours orange with a bit of clouding. It has an off white head with very good head retention.
Smell: It has some doughy notes up front with low spicing and Belgian funk. There are also some lemon elements in the background.
Taste: The flavors are stronger than the aromas. It has some doughy elements and Belgian yeast notes with medium spicing and some lemon. The alcohol is noticeable, but not overwhelming.
Feel: It has a medium body with a rather dry finish.
Overall: The aroamas aren't as aromatic as I like, but the flavors make up for it. A nice strong tasty beer.
Jun 14, 2025Smell: It has some doughy notes up front with low spicing and Belgian funk. There are also some lemon elements in the background.
Taste: The flavors are stronger than the aromas. It has some doughy elements and Belgian yeast notes with medium spicing and some lemon. The alcohol is noticeable, but not overwhelming.
Feel: It has a medium body with a rather dry finish.
Overall: The aroamas aren't as aromatic as I like, but the flavors make up for it. A nice strong tasty beer.
Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.06/5 rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Best By Date: 11-29-25
A - Pours clear at first but hazy towards the bottom (when doing two pours from the bottle to share). Big, rocky, billowy head with a vibrant stream of carbonation.
S - Lemon, nice light fruit fruitiness, some sticky malt backbone, some light spiciness, and a yeasty presence.
T - Lemon, pear, light spiciness, some yeast presence, a touch of banana with light phenolic presence.
M - Medium body with gentle carbonation.
O - Pretty solid!
Jun 09, 2025A - Pours clear at first but hazy towards the bottom (when doing two pours from the bottle to share). Big, rocky, billowy head with a vibrant stream of carbonation.
S - Lemon, nice light fruit fruitiness, some sticky malt backbone, some light spiciness, and a yeasty presence.
T - Lemon, pear, light spiciness, some yeast presence, a touch of banana with light phenolic presence.
M - Medium body with gentle carbonation.
O - Pretty solid!
Reviewed by Nash39 from Florida
4.12/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
The pour is goldenrod yellow. On the taste, I'm getting some orange, banana, along with some hints of clove & white pepper. Furthermore, the 9% abv is well hidden. Cheers! A-
Jun 05, 2025
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