Trappist Achel 8° Blond
Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse
Beer Geek Stats
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- From:
- Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse
- Belgium
- Style:
- Tripel
Ranked #25 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 91
Ranked #7,442 - Avg:
- 4.07 | pDev: 8.85%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Apr 16, 2022
- Added:
- Mar 06, 2002
- Wants:
- 79
- Gots:
- 122
SCORE
91
Outstanding
91
Outstanding
Notes:
None
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DucksFan16:
4.17/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by DucksFan16 from Tennessee
Sep 17, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by DucksFan16 from Tennessee
Sep 17, 2020
More User Ratings:
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Beersnake1 from California
Unknown bottle date. Poured from fridge temp. Pours a murky orange with a good amount of white head. Nose is wheat, yeast, orange peel, grass, and a hoppy bite. The taste is a nice mixture of sweet and bitter. The sweetness is associate with toffee, candy, and some green grape like fruit. The bitter back end is a grassy, earthy, hoppy note. Other notes are bread, a bit of spice, Belgian yeast, and a touch of toffee. Mouthfeel is a bit light and dry, but great.
Apr 16, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Beersnake1 from California
Unknown bottle date. Poured from fridge temp. Pours a murky orange with a good amount of white head. Nose is wheat, yeast, orange peel, grass, and a hoppy bite. The taste is a nice mixture of sweet and bitter. The sweetness is associate with toffee, candy, and some green grape like fruit. The bitter back end is a grassy, earthy, hoppy note. Other notes are bread, a bit of spice, Belgian yeast, and a touch of toffee. Mouthfeel is a bit light and dry, but great.
Apr 16, 2022
4.5 by Tenebris on Dec 15, 2021
3.79 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Dec 07, 2021
4.17 by GreenMind from Pennsylvania on Apr 11, 2021
3.84 by Dreyski from England on Mar 21, 2021
4/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Greywulfken from New York
Okay, so Trappist and tripel - a very solid representative of the style - with very typical aromas and flavors - doesn't really stand-out, having had Westmalle and Karmeliet within the past two weeks as well - but it isn't bad in any way - it just didn't "strike" me - I'd return to it though, so I've gotta recommend it, even if my review is underwhelming, the beer is not...
Feb 28, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by Greywulfken from New York
Okay, so Trappist and tripel - a very solid representative of the style - with very typical aromas and flavors - doesn't really stand-out, having had Westmalle and Karmeliet within the past two weeks as well - but it isn't bad in any way - it just didn't "strike" me - I'd return to it though, so I've gotta recommend it, even if my review is underwhelming, the beer is not...
Feb 28, 2021
4.5/5 rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by rawbraves from Colorado
Enjoyed out of a tulip glass. Very murky pretty color. More alcohol in the mouth than Lefe Blonde as it’s higher ABV. Sticky mouth feel that stays with you from lips to throat. One of the better Belgian Blondes I’ve had and a nice sipper any season.
Jan 11, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by rawbraves from Colorado
Enjoyed out of a tulip glass. Very murky pretty color. More alcohol in the mouth than Lefe Blonde as it’s higher ABV. Sticky mouth feel that stays with you from lips to throat. One of the better Belgian Blondes I’ve had and a nice sipper any season.
Jan 11, 2021
4.35 by Birdlegs from Washington on Jan 04, 2021
3.77 by DvdP from Netherlands on Dec 30, 2020
3.94 by SayBoom from Ukraine on Dec 16, 2020
3.94/5 rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by misteil from Ireland
been trying to get this beer for a while now, doesn’t pop up all that often in irish bottleshops, excited.
look: one finger frothy white head with poor retention, dissipates quickly to a thin smattering of bubbles, beer is a foggy amber colour, plenty of carbonation in the beer.
smell: smells light but nice, lots of belgian yeast aromas, banana, clove, spice, orange peel, a loaf of caramel, nicely sweet, some white bread malt, lightly earthy, not very aromatic however.
taste: that’s really nice, again light, but the belgian yeast flavours are so good, banana and clove again, sweet flavours that linger, quite earthy, herbal, floral, spice, white bread malt, caramel, white wine, it’s crazy how it can be so light but so nuanced and complex in flavour, to the point where it’s hard to pin some of the flavours down, light bitterness on the finish, quite nice.
feel: light bodied, highly carbonated, carbonation pushes the beer around the inside of the mouth, very crisp, dry, very drinkable, strength totally cloaked at 8%.
overall: i’m glad to be able to tick another trappist brewery off the list, tripel not exactly my favourite belgian style but this is quite nice, a very drinkable yet complex belgian ale, good stuff.
Nov 05, 2020
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by misteil from Ireland
been trying to get this beer for a while now, doesn’t pop up all that often in irish bottleshops, excited.
look: one finger frothy white head with poor retention, dissipates quickly to a thin smattering of bubbles, beer is a foggy amber colour, plenty of carbonation in the beer.
smell: smells light but nice, lots of belgian yeast aromas, banana, clove, spice, orange peel, a loaf of caramel, nicely sweet, some white bread malt, lightly earthy, not very aromatic however.
taste: that’s really nice, again light, but the belgian yeast flavours are so good, banana and clove again, sweet flavours that linger, quite earthy, herbal, floral, spice, white bread malt, caramel, white wine, it’s crazy how it can be so light but so nuanced and complex in flavour, to the point where it’s hard to pin some of the flavours down, light bitterness on the finish, quite nice.
feel: light bodied, highly carbonated, carbonation pushes the beer around the inside of the mouth, very crisp, dry, very drinkable, strength totally cloaked at 8%.
overall: i’m glad to be able to tick another trappist brewery off the list, tripel not exactly my favourite belgian style but this is quite nice, a very drinkable yet complex belgian ale, good stuff.
Nov 05, 2020
3.93 by arzt from Russian Federation on Sep 02, 2020
4.34 by smi69 from New York on Jun 06, 2020
4.06/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by OK_Denise from Oklahoma
I really enjoy this style of beer and have been trying find (and drink) all of the Trappist ales. This one I finally got a hold of and am drinking it as I write this review. My favorite Tripel is probably Chimay and I would put this Achel Blonde neck-and-neck with it, though I would still prefer the Chimay by a nose. The taste is warm and welcoming, not a strong aftertaste, and the feel is medium-complex with a nice aroma. I recommend it!
May 23, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by OK_Denise from Oklahoma
I really enjoy this style of beer and have been trying find (and drink) all of the Trappist ales. This one I finally got a hold of and am drinking it as I write this review. My favorite Tripel is probably Chimay and I would put this Achel Blonde neck-and-neck with it, though I would still prefer the Chimay by a nose. The taste is warm and welcoming, not a strong aftertaste, and the feel is medium-complex with a nice aroma. I recommend it!
May 23, 2020
3.87 by Budlum from Maryland on Apr 04, 2020
4.51 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona on Feb 06, 2020
4.1 by BrentMcQuirk from Texas on Dec 08, 2019
4.7 by Jgmiller829 from Massachusetts on Sep 13, 2019
4.73 by ptarmigan98 from Alaska on Aug 19, 2019
4.02 by bird_soul from Netherlands on Jun 23, 2019
3.7 by brandoneast from Texas on Jun 18, 2019
4.1 by Scott-Egan from Pennsylvania on May 30, 2019
3.9 by mattmarka1 from Minnesota on May 05, 2019
4.1/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
by Harrison8 from Missouri
Pours a foggy copper with two fingers of white foam even after an easy-going half pour from an 11.2oz bottle. Head retention is good. Aroma is dark and stone fruits, stone floor, strong yeast spice and esters, banana, clove, bready malts and very light spicy hops. Nice spice and smoothness thanks to the yeast. Flavor profile is dark fruits, stone, banana, clove, spicy yeast ester, spicy hops and bready malts. It's round and soft, working the palate through each note without pushing anything aggressively. Mouth feel is medium-thick with a fuzzy, velvety, linen texture. Overall, smooth, with the light show coming from the spicy vs. sweet, delivering a balanced experience.
Served in a 15.5oz Spiegalau tulip from a 11.2oz bottle.
Apr 25, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
by Harrison8 from Missouri
Pours a foggy copper with two fingers of white foam even after an easy-going half pour from an 11.2oz bottle. Head retention is good. Aroma is dark and stone fruits, stone floor, strong yeast spice and esters, banana, clove, bready malts and very light spicy hops. Nice spice and smoothness thanks to the yeast. Flavor profile is dark fruits, stone, banana, clove, spicy yeast ester, spicy hops and bready malts. It's round and soft, working the palate through each note without pushing anything aggressively. Mouth feel is medium-thick with a fuzzy, velvety, linen texture. Overall, smooth, with the light show coming from the spicy vs. sweet, delivering a balanced experience.
Served in a 15.5oz Spiegalau tulip from a 11.2oz bottle.
Apr 25, 2019
4.14/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Reviewed as part of BJCP training, 26C Belgian Tripel. Bottled July 16, 2017
Pours a large fizzy bubbly rocky head with good retention, and mild lacing, semi hazy deep orange gold almost tan color
Nose candied orange out front, mild dried fruit esters in general, with a bit of sweet grainy blond malt, mild perfumey alcohol and hint of spicy phenols, mild sweet candied apple and also a touch of vanilla icing, a light papery winy oxidation
Taste plenty of citrus, candied orange and vanilla icing on orange cake, some grainy-sweet malts with a little candi sugar like sweetness, a bit of perfumey spicy alcohol, mild peppery phenols but also light on overall phenols, hops bring a little spicy bitterness, medium overall bitterness that lingers into the finish, drier finish a little sticky, more citrus lingering with the spicy bitter hops
Mouth is medium bodied, bright effervescent carb, mild warming alcohol
Overall another interesting take on tripel, much lighter than the last two I had which could be due to the age, but still good
Mar 01, 2019
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
by jlindros from Massachusetts
Reviewed as part of BJCP training, 26C Belgian Tripel. Bottled July 16, 2017
Pours a large fizzy bubbly rocky head with good retention, and mild lacing, semi hazy deep orange gold almost tan color
Nose candied orange out front, mild dried fruit esters in general, with a bit of sweet grainy blond malt, mild perfumey alcohol and hint of spicy phenols, mild sweet candied apple and also a touch of vanilla icing, a light papery winy oxidation
Taste plenty of citrus, candied orange and vanilla icing on orange cake, some grainy-sweet malts with a little candi sugar like sweetness, a bit of perfumey spicy alcohol, mild peppery phenols but also light on overall phenols, hops bring a little spicy bitterness, medium overall bitterness that lingers into the finish, drier finish a little sticky, more citrus lingering with the spicy bitter hops
Mouth is medium bodied, bright effervescent carb, mild warming alcohol
Overall another interesting take on tripel, much lighter than the last two I had which could be due to the age, but still good
Mar 01, 2019
3.75 by Duncian from Pennsylvania on Nov 26, 2018
3.85 by xtonytx from Connecticut on Nov 19, 2018
4.17/5 rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by puck1225 from Texas
Poured from a bottle into a fluted glass.
Golden yellow color with a nice white head and great lacing. Fruity smell and taste. Nice sweet apple and pear. Warming spice flavors come out as it warms, flavor becomes more complex. I have had it several times but did not review it. A classic beer.
Nov 17, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by puck1225 from Texas
Poured from a bottle into a fluted glass.
Golden yellow color with a nice white head and great lacing. Fruity smell and taste. Nice sweet apple and pear. Warming spice flavors come out as it warms, flavor becomes more complex. I have had it several times but did not review it. A classic beer.
Nov 17, 2018
4 by jeschaefer from Texas on Sep 26, 2018
3.75 by soundaurora from Pennsylvania on Sep 25, 2018
4.23/5 rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by JonnoWillsteed from England
L- Pours with off-white head, holds well. Body mid-amber with slight haze. [Very small amount of residue left in bottle].
S- Fruit [apricot and cherry, for me] and spice.
T- Ooh, it has a pungent fruitiness, into a rich meaty finish with a tinge of sour in it. Very idiosyncratic indeed. If this was a regular/fav I've no doubt you'd have zero problem IDing this blind-folded, it's very distinctive.
M- It's puddingy, and full-bodied, but it has lovely balance.
O- A good example of a Belgian monastic tripel. My wife is a fan of such beers too and she also gives it two thumbs up. Just a shame I've yet to find it from a cheaper source than perhaps one of the most supermarkets in the UK.
33Cl bottle, bought from Wholefoods London [£2.99) BB 18/4/20
-- Note also the simplest of simple lables, just about the opposite of the typical hipster lable these days!
Aug 31, 2018
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by JonnoWillsteed from England
L- Pours with off-white head, holds well. Body mid-amber with slight haze. [Very small amount of residue left in bottle].
S- Fruit [apricot and cherry, for me] and spice.
T- Ooh, it has a pungent fruitiness, into a rich meaty finish with a tinge of sour in it. Very idiosyncratic indeed. If this was a regular/fav I've no doubt you'd have zero problem IDing this blind-folded, it's very distinctive.
M- It's puddingy, and full-bodied, but it has lovely balance.
O- A good example of a Belgian monastic tripel. My wife is a fan of such beers too and she also gives it two thumbs up. Just a shame I've yet to find it from a cheaper source than perhaps one of the most supermarkets in the UK.
33Cl bottle, bought from Wholefoods London [£2.99) BB 18/4/20
-- Note also the simplest of simple lables, just about the opposite of the typical hipster lable these days!
Aug 31, 2018
3.66/5 rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by Shade1951 from Pennsylvania
Sniffing this brew, poured from a bottle into a standard glass, I actually do get hints of toffee or caramel. It's a nice fragrance.
The look, I guess, is solid, meaning that it looks "right." Dark amber, small head, lots of lacing.
I'm not as wild about the flavor, though. I'm not sure why. If it followed the nose, as they say, I think I would like it quite a bit more. As it is, it's not unpleasant, but.... I guess I've been spoiled by the several times I've had Chimay and La Fin Du Monde, both of which just have a crisper, cleaner flavor.
Carbonation is fine. I guess I was expecting more from the flavor.
Aug 30, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
by Shade1951 from Pennsylvania
Sniffing this brew, poured from a bottle into a standard glass, I actually do get hints of toffee or caramel. It's a nice fragrance.
The look, I guess, is solid, meaning that it looks "right." Dark amber, small head, lots of lacing.
I'm not as wild about the flavor, though. I'm not sure why. If it followed the nose, as they say, I think I would like it quite a bit more. As it is, it's not unpleasant, but.... I guess I've been spoiled by the several times I've had Chimay and La Fin Du Monde, both of which just have a crisper, cleaner flavor.
Carbonation is fine. I guess I was expecting more from the flavor.
Aug 30, 2018
4.05 by 1988sqft from England on Aug 17, 2018
3.95/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Jetlag767 from Minnesota
The Monk’s did an outstanding job!
Jul 20, 2018
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by Jetlag767 from Minnesota
The Monk’s did an outstanding job!
Jul 20, 2018
4.31/5 rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Deep gold with a foamy white head that quickly dissipates.
Smell: Raisins, citrus, hops, figs, and a bit of spiciness.
Taste: A wine-like herbal fruitiness backed by hops and a bit of malt.
Mouthfeel: Average thickness and sharp carbonation.
Overall: A beer that can truly be called "deliciously different".
Jun 10, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by chitoryu12 from Florida
Look: Deep gold with a foamy white head that quickly dissipates.
Smell: Raisins, citrus, hops, figs, and a bit of spiciness.
Taste: A wine-like herbal fruitiness backed by hops and a bit of malt.
Mouthfeel: Average thickness and sharp carbonation.
Overall: A beer that can truly be called "deliciously different".
Jun 10, 2018
3.96/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by REVZEB from Illinois
I don't know how I haven't had this by now! A classic tripel, and in my opinion, holds up even though the years have passed it by. Light and peppery compared to other tripels I have had, but still has nice fruit bouquet and malt biscuit finish. More balanced on the smell. The body is a very nice consistency for the style
May 30, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by REVZEB from Illinois
I don't know how I haven't had this by now! A classic tripel, and in my opinion, holds up even though the years have passed it by. Light and peppery compared to other tripels I have had, but still has nice fruit bouquet and malt biscuit finish. More balanced on the smell. The body is a very nice consistency for the style
May 30, 2018
4.18/5 rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by evergreen_machine from Washington
Pours a deep gold color with slightly off-white head, which dissipates quickly. Has a nose of sweet malts and banana. Taste is bright and warm with more banana and a hint of toffee. Mouthfeel is light and on style with a refreshing level of carbonation.
Apr 26, 2018
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
by evergreen_machine from Washington
Pours a deep gold color with slightly off-white head, which dissipates quickly. Has a nose of sweet malts and banana. Taste is bright and warm with more banana and a hint of toffee. Mouthfeel is light and on style with a refreshing level of carbonation.
Apr 26, 2018
3.75 by Nichols33 from Massachusetts on Apr 20, 2018
4.35/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by tigg924 from Massachusetts
Pours hazy blonde in color with 1/3 inch head. Taste is pear, apple, apricot, and Belgian spice. Medium bodied, high carbonation and slightly sweet. Very clean and tasty. Good for the style.
Apr 12, 2018
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
by tigg924 from Massachusetts
Pours hazy blonde in color with 1/3 inch head. Taste is pear, apple, apricot, and Belgian spice. Medium bodied, high carbonation and slightly sweet. Very clean and tasty. Good for the style.
Apr 12, 2018
Trappist Achel 8° Blond from Brouwerij der St. Benedictusabdij de Achelse
Beer rating:
91 out of
100 with
806 ratings