American Tripel
Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

On-tap, served in a chalice
(from notes, consumed in early December 09)

Pours a golden yellow with an orange core. Paper white head rose a full finger and stuck around, leaving delicate lace inside the glass. A light haze throughout the body with streams of bubbles pushing through the viscous liquid.

A plethora of lemons, oranges, and tangerines that combined with a floral bouquet of hops. A little bit astringent with a medicine cabinet type of aroma.

Juicy citrus up front with a crisp, dry finish. Amazing how this enters from one end of the spectrum and finishes on the other. Cracked grains through the middle with a touch of hoppy bitterness. There is some noticeable booze in this guy that builds over time. A little warming at first, but builds over time and lends a spicy character that only adds to complexity.

This beer is big and bold for such an unassuming appearance. Medium to full bodied with a subtle creaminess. Adequate carbonation with a dry, tart finish.

Although the booze becomes more noticeable as time goes on, this never got to be a chore on the palate. The flavors complement each other well and finish crisp and smooth. Nice job.

Served on tap 12-5-09 at location in a chalice.

A: Poured a golden-lemony orange with a compact, but firm linen white head that was frothy and provided good stickage for a lacing. An unfilitered appearance with a good thick haze let little light or clarity through. Retention was moderate lasting for 2 minutes while the lacing was a full sheet band encompassing the chalice walls. Visible carbonation was light with only a single broken stream of carbonation bubbles rising at a moderate rate. Overall a pretty good start with a nice thick haze that let me know they left a little junk in the trunk providing extra flavor and vitamins for my daily serving.

S: The nose was citrusy with a prominent display of fresh lemons and oranges. The hopping was flowery with a noticeable fresh fruitiness of pineapples and mangos. A good combination of fruitiness and American citrusy fresh wet hops sit well here.

T: The taste impressed me from the start. A big wet citrusy welcome of oranges and lemons gives this a big, thirsty wet quenching start. A dry following of wheat and dry grains, almost starchy, brings a good dryness to the overall palate. Sour citrusy notes along with a warming, but never boozy, alcohol presence with a sour fruitiness all combine giving this a very smooth transition of flavor. There is a nice warming of flowery citrus hops on the finishing fade. Overall very impressed by the flavor, with a raw unfiltered nature which im hopping iron hill will contniue. Best in show up their along with their American brown. Shake the hand of the brewer for this beer.

M: medium-full in body, with a light bubbly creamy sensation. Nice hold and feel overall.

D: good, warming, but not boozy, spicy and citrusy but with a dry palate and one I wish I could drink more then is should. A solid A beer and recommend.