Raspberry Tripel Horse
River Horse Brewing Co.

 

For those looking for a tripel with a raspberry twist, look no further. Raspberry, spice and clove in the aroma translates into the taste as well. Personally I think this beer is lacking in carbonation for the style, but it doesn't impact the final product too much. Would definitely have have another if I was in the mood.

A little darker than the usual color of blush wines, let's consider this a reddish amber beer. This is known because two twelve ounce cans were emptied into a clear glass liter mug. Atop sits a big and starchy just off-white fluffy head, which has just a barely noticeable tint of the color of the brew. The head is receding unevenly and leaving scant lacing in the glass, but this isn't an IPA. Still, the liquid is quite opaque, so there remains some hope that this will have a decent body. Belgian style ale aroma hits the nose, but the raspberry inclusion is only a trace to smell. Overall, it smells just about like every other Belgian strong ale people seem to either love or dislike. Its taste is much like the nose predicted. There's a dose of raspberry to be had, for sure; but, make no mistake, this is a true Belgian Triple. Unfortunately, the 10% ABV is present to the tongue and adversely impacts the mouthfeel. It may be hard to disguise a raw alcohol taste once it reaches this level, but the very good beers do. Other than bringing a quick buzz, there's not much here to recommend. For those that like the characteristics of a strong Belgian ale, there's many better out there. If you don't, there's way too much of what you don't like going on here. Double the raspberry and it still won't taste good to you. Looking for a compliment, the raspberry inclusion isn't too sweet and the finish of this is interestingly dry. This really is only for fans of Belgian Triples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A: slight haze; an orangish red; 1+ finger pale pink head that receded to a splotchy cap; nice lacing;

S: clove, pepper, raspberry, and banana;

T: raspberry is predominant from start to finish; relatively natural raspberry character; from the middle on, some spiciness creeps in; clove comes in shortly thereafter; mild bitterness at the end;

M: medium bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;

O: nice complexity;

 

 

 

 

 

Orangey amber colored beer with a rapidly fading head. Taste is raspberry,spices and alcoholic warmth. Overall a decent beer that you still feel when you are finished.

River Horse Brewing Co. "Raspberry Tripel Horse"
12 fl. oz. brown glass bottle without freshness dating
$2 @ Weis, Conshohocken, PA

Notes via stream of consciousness: How odd that the bottle reads "BOTTLED + BREWED BY RIVER HORSE BREWING CO." rather than "brewed and bottled by", but whatever. In the past it used to be an exceptional thing if a brewery actually bottled their own beer, but I guess that doesn't mean anything anymore. The body is a hazy ruby-tinted amber and hundred of tiny bubbles can be seen streaming upwards to take their place beneath the creamy, slightly pinkish off-white head. The aroma offers a little bit of fruit, but also some grainy malt, some yeast, and a hint of floral and spicy hops. The flavor, however, delivers on the promise of raspberry, and I can only assume it's real because the label doesn't state otherwise. It's right up front, and the tripel itself - malt, yeast and all, follows. It works, and it's quite interesting. It delivers raspberry and then malt that gives it a creamy aspect and some sugar, and then phenols/spice and a light bit of alcohol followed by a dry finish with a hint of pine and spiciness. I'm guessing at this point that others reviewing this beer have questioned whether or not it's a tripel, or whether it's a fruit beer. I'll go with fruit beer. It would fail as a tripel with all that fruit. And thus, it's quite nice. The strength is very well hidden, and it's nicely balanced. There's not too much fruit, and although it's sweet it's not cloying. Medium bodied and gently crisp. Interesting and refreshing with a little bit of oomph! Worth trying!