This is a really interesting discussion, because I've always thought this is the least popular of the readily available Belgian styles. I almost always go for dubbels or quads if I'm looking at any of the three. I'm 99% sure I've had De Garre,but like the majority of beers I've had I didn't review. Need to jump back into the style though.
As many have already noted, Belgian-made Tripels are generally better than ones made in the US and Canada, IMO. There are a number of excellent ones made here (Allagash, La Fin Du Monde, for ex.). But many are off-track or not to style, with some brewer's efforts often tasting more like a Belgian Pale Ale.
The irony (I think that is the proper term) here is that generally speaking Belgian brewers are not too concerned about brewing "to style". They tend to be inventive/creative with brewing to their whims. Maybe the US brewers should be commended here for being "off-track" (or off centered as per Dogfish Head)? In some ways the Belgian Brewers were the OG craft brewers using all sorts of spices and/or flavorings to produce their beers (e.g., Witbier). Cheers!
I agree with you here. It just seems, to my tastes anyway, that some of the domestic-made Tripels hit me more like a Belgian Pale Strong Ale than a Tripel. That's my impression of some Saisons also, although there probably is a bit of overlap between the styles.
Here in New Hampshire, we don't get a lot of them. The Allagash Tripel is the easiest one for me to find along with Victory Golden Monkey. Unibroue La Fin du Monde is the only beer we get from that brewery these days and I don't see it often. Same with St. Bernardus, which can be found at better beer shops. The Allagash is the one I pick up the most and I like it.
Just curious, did you watch the video in post #40? Towards the end of that video they conducted a side-by-side tasting of a Tripel (Westmalle) and Duvel (Belgian Strong Blonde Ale). Cheers!
I seem to remember a quote in "Farmhouse Ales" that went along the lines of "With Saison, all whims are acceptable". I also remember Yvan de Baets talking shit on Karmeliet somewhere, but I could be wrong about the person. But someone important in Belgium said it wasn't good. Main thing is that I hope American breweries start brewing Belgian style ales with a free hand like they did 10-20 years ago and make them affordable.
I share you thoughts (hope) here but frankly I am not holding my breath. It seems to me that as regards craft brewing of Belgian Ale styles (e.g., Dubbel, Tripel,...) that ship has sailed. A significant portion of my homebrewing batches are Belgian Ales. Ironically just today I received ingredients for my next biannual batch of a Dubbel. I do feel somewhat fortunate that my local craft brewery Victory makes a tasty Tripel: Golden Monkey. I have two cans of Golden Monkey in my beer refrigerator. Cheers!
La Fin Du Monde is my highest ranked Tripel. 2nd is Rochefort Triple extra. One that I found outstanding stateside and not listed in the top 100 Tripels is Sprecher Abbey Tripel. Thought that one from Wisconsin was really well made.
Well, I hope so since that is quite the ‘investment’ that you paid. It has been a while since I have purchased a bottle of Westmalle since it is just priced too high for me. I would rather purchase a sixpack of Victory Golden Monkey instead. Just my preference on how to spend my money. Please let us know if you think Westmalle warranted that high price. Cheers!
I would disagree a little here. Some of the tripels produced in Canada are from small French breweries that never distribute outside of Quebec. These are very respected by Belgians and have led to several collaborations. So, I wouldn't categorize all Canadian tripels based on stuff that makes it down here.
I went to the liquor store and tried to find Triples and didn’t end up with a lot,but there was this - I haven’t had it for a long time, but quite nice
I've not tested the Fin du Monde nor the De Garre yet, i will as possible... I like the Chimay Bleue Grande Réserve, but i'm not sure you considere it as a triple since it's brown beer ? And only 8$ for 75cL ! (For me, triples is the first of three beers that monk used to brew with a single mash, am i good ?)
