Tripel Threat
Rock House Brewing

Complex, soft and yet bold nonetheless, the Rock House brewers may be making beer in the Bluegrass, but their heart is in the Belgian abbey, at least for the brew day.

Tripel Threat pours with a hazy gold appearance and crowned with a creamy arid white froth. the strong ale's scent is chocked full of delicacy. Pear, apple, lemon and orange all swirl with strong suggestions of spice and white wine. Lightly doughy in taste, a confectioner's sweetness plays lightly on the tongue while hints of honeysuckle and flower blossoms present a lightness in malt.

As the middle palate unfolds, the beer's sweetness slowly releases and the more peppery flavors arise. White pepper, fragrant woods, clove and vinous spice bring a touch of fresh fennel to balance the fruit forward taste of banana, apple, orange, lemon and pear. Finishing moderately bitter with grasses and peppery earth, the beer trails into spicy, winey and light hay-like bite.

Medium full on the palate, the beer's low lying carbonation keeps it from classic abbey comparisons. Greater effervescence could pull the spice, wine and aroma further into the foreground, but as is, the beer's malty honey-like, bready and sweet impressions keep the texture of the session slightly lumbered.