Believer Reserve Tripel / Wine Barrel Aged
Stoudts Brewing Co.

Poured into tulip glass: color is gold, some chill haze, head is brighter white with fine bubbles, initial depth is 1/2 inch then drops to thin cover with edging and grows again with second pour; some lacing on the glass sides.

Smell is spicy yeast notes, pleasant fruit notes of pear and light grape rind, then some barrel/ester interplay that reminded me some of bourbon and hint of oaky wine.

Taste follows the aroma with spice/pepper yeast flavor then fruity notes of pear and grape rind, definitely a barrel presence that at first mimics bourbon from the tripel esters but softens to fruity notes of wine and tripel flavors of pear.

Mouthfeel is low carbonation, then some sweetness and finishes with some drying bitterness but seems to linger on the sweet side.

Overall this is an excellent beer, the base Tripel is a great one and the aging in wine barrels adds some depth and great flavors.

Poured from the bottle into a globular tulip.

A: golden hazy color with light carbonation. Minimal lacing and head.

S: light peppery yeast dominates. Acidic wine bbl notes are present. Hops are light and earthy.

T: light pear, white pepper. Acidity was definitely white wine derived and light crackery malt backbone lingers at end of swallow. Some heat.

M: wild ride provided by peppery yeast and acidic dryness comes to a creamy medium-full body and then a little booze burn. Light white wine like finish.

O: different. Belgian Tripel notes bolstered by white wine barrel notes yields a rather nice beer overall. Reminds me of and harkens to the Allagash barrel aged tripel program, and that is high praise IMO.