Tripel lovers unite

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by SkipZ, Mar 8, 2016.

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  1. SkipZ

    SkipZ Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2015 Pennsylvania

    Hey everyone. I've been on BA a short time compared to how long I've been exploring the heavenly suds. Like many, I've come to a conclusion that among all the lovely worldly offerings that are well deserving of occasional flings and flirtations, my heart and soul will ever belong to one true love. For me that is the Belgian Tripel.

    I am a fan of many beer styles, though I'm not one to desire beers that taste like a breakfast platter or score them highly on how quickly their bitterness makes my face cave in. I love the simple, classy and purity of the ingredients and the process and adherence to tradition. For me, the perfect Tripel is not overly one thing. It is a striking balance of bright smooth and sometimes sweet malts, quick citrus sharpness and rolling spiciness with a velvety body that can still sink its fangs into the very tip of my tongue. Mix in a tiny bit of funk, alcoholic bite and slight hop bitterness and it's perfect. Tripels go with so many types of food that I seem to cook and don't really overpower at all. And as I come to this realization of sorts, I just want to know:

    1) Why do you like Tripels?
    2) What are your favorites?
     
    #1 SkipZ, Mar 8, 2016
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  2. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Karmeliet here, why do I like Tripel... I like them like I enjoy other styles, not sure what to reply.
     
    #2 Shanex, Mar 8, 2016
    Tripel_Threat, BIGPOPPAS, utopiajane and 3 others like this.
  3. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    One of my favorite styles ever...

    my personal favorite is Het Anker's - Gouden Carolus

    [​IMG]
     
    #3 Smakawhat, Mar 8, 2016
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  4. mychalg9

    mychalg9 Pooh-Bah (2,123) Apr 8, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah

    I like some tripels, I dislike some tripels. I am a heathen.
     
    #4 mychalg9, Mar 8, 2016
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  5. SkipZ

    SkipZ Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2015 Pennsylvania

    Drinking a Karmeliet right now!
     
    #5 SkipZ, Mar 8, 2016
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  6. lewisti

    lewisti Zealot (523) Nov 7, 2001 Connecticut

    I find Allagash Tripel readily available near me, pretty solid, true to style and good value
     
    #6 lewisti, Mar 8, 2016
    PatrickCT, SkipZ, Ricelikesbeer and 2 others like this.
  7. SkipZ

    SkipZ Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2015 Pennsylvania

    I've had the Allagash Curieux but not their regular Tripel. The Curieux is excellent. And, that is great to point out value too, as these offerings can get expensive at times.
     
    #7 SkipZ, Mar 8, 2016
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  8. Shanex

    Shanex Grand Pooh-Bah (4,960) Dec 10, 2015 France
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Cheers, why not rate it and give a review.
     
    #8 Shanex, Mar 8, 2016
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  9. RochefortChris

    RochefortChris Grand Pooh-Bah (3,271) Oct 2, 2012 North Carolina
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I love, love, loooove tripels, one of my top two all time favorite styles. My favorite examples are Westmalle, Valdieu, Chimay, Maredsous, Straffe Hedrick, Gouden Carolus, Golden Monkey, I could go on an on. Tripels are so complex, dry, the alcohol is so well hidden, I adore this style.
     
    #9 RochefortChris, Mar 8, 2016
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  10. UrbanCaveman

    UrbanCaveman Pooh-Bah (1,866) Sep 30, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Karmeliet is quite tasty, as are Curieux and Don De Dieux.
     
    #10 UrbanCaveman, Mar 8, 2016
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  11. akolb

    akolb Initiate (0) Aug 8, 2015 Colorado

    Unibroue's La Fin du Monde is a great, widely available tripel.
     
    #11 akolb, Mar 8, 2016
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  12. SkipZ

    SkipZ Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2015 Pennsylvania

    Yeah, I should review more but sometimes I think I'm forcing it. I want to get my points across in an enlightening manor that makes the reader virtually "taste" the offering with my words.
     
    #12 SkipZ, Mar 8, 2016
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  13. SkipZ

    SkipZ Initiate (0) Jul 3, 2015 Pennsylvania

    I love the La Fin Du Monde as a beer but generally lacks the spiciness of a true Tripel in my opinion. This won't stop me from having a fridge full of it though. I had some last weekend and once a spot opens in my current rotation, the U is in.
     
    #13 SkipZ, Mar 8, 2016
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  14. donspublic

    donspublic Grand Pooh-Bah (3,552) Aug 4, 2014 Texas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    #14 donspublic, Mar 8, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2016
    SkipZ likes this.
  15. alucard6679

    alucard6679 Savant (1,009) Jul 29, 2012 Arizona

    Hmmm Chimay White or Westmalle Tripel....... I don't know, love 'em both to death but to be honest overall it's not my favorite Belgian style. I generally prefer the Strong Pales along with all of the greatness to come out of Flanders. I also love Dubbels for all their subtle complexities and you gotta love Saisons :slight_smile:

    Belgium in general kicks some serious ass with their beers, cheers!
     
    #15 alucard6679, Mar 8, 2016
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  16. threeviews

    threeviews Initiate (0) Apr 18, 2011 Florida

    Great thread...the Tripel is also a personal favorite. I love how the yeast strains produce such signature aromas and flavors and (if done well), combine very well with hops to produce something very special. As evidence by my top 5 list of barrel aged and non-barrel aged varieties, I take a non-traditional appreciation of the style:
    Non Barrel Aged:
    1 - Xtra Gold (Captain Lawrence)
    2 - Exit 4 (Flying Fish)
    3 - Rye 95 (Two Roads)
    4 - Don De Dieu (Unibroue)
    5 - Merry Monks (Weyerbacher)

    Barrel Aged:
    1 - Golden Delicious (Captain Lawrence)
    2 - Curieux (Allagash)
    3 - Prophecy (Weyerbacher)
    4 - The Tide And It's Takers (Anchorage)
    5 - Farmhouse Tripel (Hermit Thrush)
     
    #16 threeviews, Mar 8, 2016
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  17. BMBCLT

    BMBCLT Grand Pooh-Bah (3,427) May 9, 2014 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    Love Tripels that taste like Tripels, not like Imperial IPAs. Here are some of my favorites:

    Tripel Karmeliet
    Allagash Tripel
    Weyerbacher Merry Monks
    Boulevard Long Strange Tripel
     
    #17 BMBCLT, Mar 8, 2016
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  18. bleakies

    bleakies Maven (1,355) Apr 11, 2011 Massachusetts

    Another vote for Allagash Tripel's happy combo of quality and availability.

    The late and lamented Pretty Things was my favorite brewery and I'm sorely missing their Fluffy White Rabbits (a "hoppy tripel," har har har), a highlight of springtime.
     
    #18 bleakies, Mar 8, 2016
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  19. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    I enjoy drinking Tripel beers. My personal favorite is Westmalle.

    Cheers!
     
    #19 JackHorzempa, Mar 8, 2016
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  20. babaracas

    babaracas Initiate (0) Jan 30, 2008 Florida

    Good tripels are both extreme and balanced which is appealing, I think.

    Westmalle, De Dolle Dulle Teve, Maredsous 10, Karmeliet are my top-tier. De Ranke, de La Senne, and St Bernies make some good ones too. And of course there are some great BSPAs that with a quick label change would be up there as well.

    Hop-centric American takes are not my thing, though Fluffy White Rabbits was legit!
     
    #20 babaracas, Mar 8, 2016
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