Jacques
Rhinegeist Brewery

 

 

The typical American brewer misses stye mark on Abbey tripel ale, underestimating their dryness, effervescence, peppery quality and especially their hop bite. The keen Rhinegeist brewers set out to reestablish the style, and perhaps with a slight American nod.

The striking diffused golden glow captures the eye with straw margins and a zesty champagne-like spirit. A beautiful but earthy aromatic display does much the same with the nose picking up citrus and orchard fruit, earthy grass, straw and chive. And undertow of wafer-thin sweetness of grain seem like confectioner's sugar, if only for a brief moment.

The middle palate releases the sweetness and favors the grassy, peppery and hoppy side of balance. White pepper, black pepper, hints of cumin and clove, and the spicy zing of tea leaf, chive and fresh-cut grass edges out any eatery rebuttal from lemon, orange, apple, grapefruit or white grape.

The medium bodied ale carries remarkable strength as it trends lighter and even refreshing when backed by the dryness of carbonation, peppery hops and spicy, vinous alcohol. A wonderful afterglow of fruit, spice and perfumy grass keep the retro-olfacory senses rewarded in aftertaste and aroma.

 

 

 

 

Somewhat odd aroma. Floral, notes of pear and honeysuckle.

Flavor is fruity and filled with Belgian esters, but they are countered by resin, pine, and onion. Odd combination, but it sorta works.