Have a question about Tripels

I think most all Belgian's in general put corks and cages on 750's. To me it makes no difference outside of aging.

 

Good question. I am not aware of anyone changing their recipe for caging a big bottle vs. capping a small one. Someone please educate me if so.

If you are just getting into them, start with Westmalle 9--cork and cage. IMO and in many others, it is the absolutely one of the best representatives of the style.

 

They could be capped with manure, and I'd still drink them.

 

St. Bernardus

 

Westmalle. 750 ml or otherwise. Always a great choice.

 

I would think the only significant difference might be how much you want to consume in one opening and how much yeast they pitch for bottle conditioning if they use that method.

 

No.

 

Years ago, the 12oz Allagash bottles for Dubbel and Tripel were force carbonated and had less carbonation than the 750ml bottles which were bottle carbonated. The distinction was even called out by different spelling of the beer name, with "Dubbel" on the 750ml cork and cage bottles, while the 12oz bottles were labelled "Double." These days, however, they are pretty much the same, though the 12oz bottles might still have a little less carbonation than the big bottles. This is documented in BLAM.

 

Westmalle Trippel is my favourite beer, I think the 750ml corked is richer than 330ml caps. Normally the cork works in the third fermentation inside the bottle for all I know!

 

I always thought the cork was just a fancy way of capping a bomber

How does this affect aging? I'm aware of the wet cork/dry cork debate, what I'm wondering is if you store them differently.

 

With a larger bottle, there is less surface contact with the head space of the beer (which will eventually be infiltrated by oxygen) vs. the total volume of the beer. So most likely the beer is going to oxidize slower as it ages.

 

I think caps are more prone to oxidize over long periods of time and more importantly are more likely to let air in. Just a guess as I don't truely know the answer. Westy's are great at again and only come in 11.2 with a cap, so who knows.

 

I know a lot of breweries such as Weyerbacher and Victory bottle referment for a more natural carbonation with their cork and cage bottles which will produce a richer and creamier mouthfeel and carbonation when compared to the 12oz crowned bottles. When it comes to aging I personally like the cork and cage bottles better as the yeast the beer sits on in the bottle is going to add more complexity and yeasty notes as the beer sits.

 

They could cork and cage a bottle of manure and I'd be stupid enough to buy it

 

But how does this effect the cap/cork storage? Would you do anything different when storing a regular capped bottle versus a corked bottle?

 

Yeah, as long as it said "Limited Release" and "Tripel" on the label. I'm sold.

ISO.