Black Currant Tripel Lindy
Funky Buddha Brewery

really cool to see fruit in a tripel, it makes great sense, but it seems like a rare thing, i think in this case, its even extra smart to add something distinctive and tart like currants to it, where there is enough sweetness without a sugary fruit coming in and making it too much, here the astringent tang of the currants actually works to cut some of the sweetness of the base beer and make this a more drinkable beer. the color is insane, almost as pink as the label is, frothy headed, and somewhat rich looking. some haze to it. i smell the belgian esters above anything else, but there is a jammy almost decadence that comes from the fruit that i really like, super compatible with the base beer, which might almost seems like something was missing from it if i had it again on its own now without the fruit. there is some sweetness still, but it has more flavor than generic candy sugar or something, and i think it helps carry some of the more delicate floral elements of the yeast. lots of body here, some booze, and some tang. when it was cold, i thought it a little one dimensional, but like so many belgian styles, it really opens up well with a little temperature. really cool beer, glad to have this as part of our thanksgiving feast!

L: reddish-pink, pink head, minimal lacing
S: has a church wine and honey aroma
T: I know there’s a decent Tripel in there, but the tart fruit takes center stage
F: nice mouthfeel, dry finish
O: I think they messed up a perfectly good beer with the fruit

22oz bottle, no date found, poured into a 14oz brandy snifter.

The beer pours a bright ruby red color, garnet and blood red hues with a fizzy white head that rises about a finger without much retention and yields only a few spots of lacing. The aroma is pleasant, funky yeast, soft but lightly tart black currants, a bit of juiciness, clove, pale grain and light spice. The flavors are good, spicy and funky yeast, very much like a triple with clove and allspice, soft pale grain and a lingering but prominent black currant berry flavor, lightly tart. The mouthfeel is good, lively medium body, good bubbly texture that coats well and finishes with a dry bite.

Verdict: An interesting take on the Tripel. The black currant isn't overpowering and actually plays well with the naturally estery yeast from the Tripel base.