Pater Rabbit
Barrel of Monks Brewing

Incredible frothy, billowy, head, slight haze
full nose with characteristic estery fruitiness, reminded me of St. Bernardus Abt
taste was fruity and yeasty, with full malt
smooth mouthfeel
probably one of the best, if not the best, American tripel I've ever tasted

Tasted from a 750 ml bottle bought in Orlando.

L - Straw to light gold color with a moderately hazy appearance (seems right on for the style). Mountainous white head that tried to creep out of the bottle upon initial opening and also formed a two inch deep barrier to taking my first sip.

S - Complex nose mixes sweet, bready tones of malt, fruity yeast notes, and spices that could be from the yeast or actual spice additions. There is a hint of sweet flowers in the end, but I wouldn't be able to identify hibiscus.

T - The initial flavors are from bready malt, which gives way to grassy, herbal hops in the mid-palate. These fade quickly, being replaced by long, lingering spice notes.

F - Light to medium body. Mouth-filling, creamy carbonation. Deceptively strong hops bite that does not distract from the complex flavors. Definite alcohol presence, but not boozy.

O - Amazingly complex and enjoyable beer. Probably the best Tripel I have tasted from a US brewer, although I need to add that the label says it was a collaboration brew with Fort Lapin, of Bruges, Belgium. I still give Barrel of Monks a big nod of approval and I look forward to trying more of their beers!

a very cool take on a tripel, a style we seem to rarely see any liberties taken with. this is pretty rustic and traditional right up until there is hibiscus in it, a really neat touch, subtly done, and overall one of the better beers i can remember having from these guys. the hibiscus doesnt color it at all, not even a trace of pink on it, looks like a classic tripel, and has an airy rising fizzy head. aroma is spicy from the coriander and the yeast, a toasted note, white pepper, and even fennel to me, with a little candy sugar sweetness there and a wheaty grain base, quite traditional. the flavor is all of that, yeast driven but not overly estery, pear and white pepper in front, a red apple autumnal thing later on with a light clove element. the hibiscus is nice here, brings up a citrus note from deep within this, and adds a springy floral delicate character to a beer that might otherwise feel a little heavy. its rightly dosed, no perfume with it or anything, and it adds a gentle wrinkle that makes this beer really distinctive overall. the high carbonation is just right for the style, and the belgian yeast character this finishes with is right on. a great mix of old and new here, and a fantastically well executed beer overall!