Tripel Tasting - March 25-27, 2022 - Planning Thread

Are Triple IPAs included?

 

Nice, in the fridge I've already got a few "New World" examples (Victory Golden Monkey, Riverhorse Tripelhorse, and Unibroue La Fin Du Monde), plus a few "Old World" Trappist versions (Westmalle and Rochefort). Might have to go pick up a bottle of Tripel Karmeliet.

I know they are separate styles here on BA, but is there really any practical differences between Tripel and Belgian Strong Pale Ale? Other than how it's labeled by the brewery? (I would argue similar about Quadruple / Belgian Strong Dark Ale). I see little difference between Tripels and beers like Delirium Tremens or La Chouffe Blonde.

 

I see the Tripel Van De Garre page has a picture of a bottle, and a few reviews mention 750 ml bottles - anyone know if bottles are imported to the US?

When in Brugge a few years ago, we visited the De Garre pub and had some glasses and it was wonderful. But I thought it was a draft only beer.

 

Below are extracts from the 2021 BJCP style guidelines of the Belgian Golden Strong Ale category:

“Style Comparison: Often confused with Belgian Tripel, but is usually paler, lighter-bodied, crisper, and drier. Tends to use yeast that favor ester development (particularly pome fruit) over spiciness in the balance, and has more of a late hop.”

And:

“Commercial Examples: Brigand, Delirium Tremens, Duvel, Judas, Lucifer, Russian River Damnation”

I have homebrewed a number of batches of Tripel and my personal objective in brewing those beers is to create fermentation conditions to create a balance of phenols (spicy flavors) and esters (fruity flavors). I do this via proper yeast selection (I prefer the Westmalle yeast strain) and setting fermentation conditions (e.g., warm ferment temperatures).

In my opinion the main distinguishing feature of a ‘good’ Tripel is that it has a balanced yeast derived flavor profile (i.e., both spicy flavors and fruity flavors).

Cheers!

 

Great call on the Triple @FBarber , and @Shanex for proposing. Always good to see a new first time style to be explored in the Tasting Thread series.

Looks like I'll be making my first local "beer haul" in two months to be properly stocked. I try to avoid Binny's, but see they have the Rochefort Triple (and The Beer Temple does not).

Frank, any local offerings I should look for?

Looking forward to the tasting, and also suggestions in this thread (local, national, worldwide).

Thanks!

 

This one oughta be triple the fun!

 

Do you think there should be an award for the first BA who drinks (and posts) three Tripels in this thread!?!

 

Some extracts of an article I wrote to get folks ‘stimulated’ for this Tripel tasting:

“Tripel

The most common beers of the 20th Century were pale in color (e.g., Pilsners) and in 1934 Westmalle decided to include a pale beer as part of their product portfolio: the Triple. They decided to brew this beer with a higher alcohol content; this style is typically 7.5 – 9.5% ABV. The beer is pale yellow in color with fruity (esters) and spicy (phenols) flavors derived from the yeast and accompanied with a dry finish.”

And concerning non-Trappist brewed Belgian Tripels:

“When it comes to the Tripel style I am a fan of St. Feuillien Triple. These brands, and others, are just as tasty as the Trappist brewed beers for my palate.”

But wait, there are indeed high quality non-Belgian brewed Tripels as well:

“For completeness I should state that I have had a number of high-quality US craft brewed beers in the Trappist/Abbey style. More often than not they are available as a draft product but sometimes they are packaged as well. I will often purchase a six-pack of Victory Golden Monkey which is a Tripel. The fact that it is much less expensive than the Trappist brewed beers is a definite plus for me (and my wallet).”

https://www.morebeer.com/articles/Belgian_Quad

Hopefully we will see a diversity of brands in this upcoming tasting.

Cheers to the Tripel beer style!

 

I just bought the new Warpigs Tripel. Early word is quite positive despite not being their wheelhouse.

 

One of all time favorite styles... someday... I will complete that top 100 list...

I am at 47 currently... as it has been an evolving beast over the years.

I am running out of new tripels and Golden Strongs to try, I can't find new ones anymore!

gonna try though

 

Challenge accepted

 

Ethan, this statement has me thinking. Just a few years ago I used to find Belgian style beers (including Tripels) fairly often at my local craft breweries/brewpubs but come to think of it these types of beers do not seem to be as available. I suppose those taps now serve a plethora of Juicy/Hazy beers now?

FWIW it still seems that locally produced Saison brands are still available. Maybe for contemporary US craft beer drinkers Belgian = Saison?

Cheers!

P.S. Last week while visiting the Tired Hands taproom (Ardmore, PA) I did enjoy a draft glass of a Saison:

Dispensary Blend #2

A Delicate and Experimental Blend of Saisons. 8%

 

Don't know how they get here, but I've bought them in two places and seen them in at least one other place. Portland, OR and Seattle area.

 

I've never had any beer from them, so IDK about them at all, but Une Année distributes here. and their Hibiscus Tripel is on the shelf of at least one store.

 

This may be a good excuse to get some of the local triple. Maybe side by side with a Belgian stalwart.

 

I forgot, I also have a bottle of Tröeg's LaGrave in the cellar. Tröegs calls it a "Triple Golden Ale" so I say it fits the bill. https://troegs.com/beer/lagrave/

I also still have a can of Victory's Naughty List, which is a "Rum Barrel Aged Belgian-Style Tripel Ale with Added Spices".