Belgian Trippels

[blatant_brewer]

Well, I've had GreatLakesBC Anniversary Ale (bottled) and just recently the Rock Bottom Belgian Trippel on tap, and honestly I don't see what the fuss is about.

Both times I drank from a wide-mouthed goblet; both times I found the style insipid, flat and overly sweet. I know there's no accounting for tastes, but help me out here fellahs -- what am I missing? Is there a brew you'd recommend to educate me on the wonders of this style??

Thanks.

Beebs

[chazwicke]

I am one of those who thinks of lambics when I think of Belgian beers. The dubbles and triples do not always do it for me either.

[newportstorm]

One (or a few) of these should be available near you:

-Allagash Trippel Reserve
-Chimay Cinq Cents (White label)
-Westmalle Tripel (Trappist Ale from Belgium)
-New Belgium Trippel

I've enjoyed all of these. Or you could take a look at the top rated Tripels on BA:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/top_beers.php?id=58

Great Lakes Anniversary checks in at #45 on that list. Then again, you may just not enjoy the style - nothing wrong with that.

Cheers!

[steveh]

Okay...enough use of the word "insipid." That should be reserved for BMC only. ;)

Look for Sprecher's Abbey Trippel, recently out too. Very nice, serve at a not-too-cold temp, in a nice goblet. Yes, they're sweet and not hoppy - they're supposed to be. Flat? That's rather odd. But I've found Sprecher's to be quite good this year.

S.

[blatant_brewer]

Agreed that "insipid" should be reserved for BMC and such.

What I meant was that though I wasn't expecting really any hoppiness, I was disappointed at not getting a more complex yeast flavor profile.

I'll check out some of those picks. Thanks.

Beebs

[studentofbeer]

i say start closer to the real thing, like westmalle (yum) or maybe the chimay white, or tripel karmaliet or gouden carlous tripel, before moving on to american interpretations. some american versions (like pranqster) haven't been all that great, but i think many of the belgian examples may fit your ideal better.

[I'mRocketMan]

Try Delerium Tremens! It is delish! I've got my Triple Moon Tripel (12.75%) aging to be ready for Yule 2005. I'll let you know how it turns out!! LOL!

Cheers! Rocket

[fretlessman71]

I'm thrilled that Yule let us know how it turns out... :D

Another vote for New Belgium's Trippel. YUMMMMMMM.....

[eppie]

It's all a matter of taste, but please give trippels another try.

Trippel is a pretty vague term. Generally any top fermented, strong, fruity, blond (but usually cloudy) beer refemented in the bottle is called a trippel, but each of these rules is often broken.

Many of my favorites have already been mentioned, Westmalle, and Chimay (trappists) as well as Karmaliet and gouden carlous. A couple not mentioned are Affligem and St. Bernardus. I also like Brugge trippel, but think it is too amber to be representative of the style.

I don't know how many are available in the US or what clones there are availabe, but I beg you give them another chance
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[HogieWan]

I just tried the Affligem and I loved it. Great beer

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by eppie
Many of my favorites have already been mentioned, Westmalle, and Chimay (trappists) as well as Karmaliet and gouden carlous. A couple not mentioned are Affligem and St. Bernardus. I also like Brugge trippel, but think it is too amber to be representative of the style.

I don't know how many are available in the US or what clones there are availabe, but I beg you give them another chance

All are/were available in the US. Good call on the Karmeliet and St. Bernardus. Also heard nice things about Urthel:

http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/rate_results/1339/3646/

Cheers!

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by eppie


A couple not mentioned are .......St. Bernardus.

would that be the ABT 12??

[eppie]

Nope. St. Bernardus began making Westvleteren clones (6, 8, and 12), but have also made thier own beer in the trippel style. Just called St. Bernerdus trippel. It's not very common. I often see the 8 and 12 in shops and pubs, but really have to search for the trippel.
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[le qwak]

Blatant I'd say try the real thing then re-evaluate if you
like the style or not. Also I know for me at first
Belgians were an aquired taste being a bit of a hophead
at heart. I started with Corsendonk and since have tried
many (luckily Pittsburgh has an awesome Belgian beer
bar the Sharp Edge supposedly one the biggest selections in the country). A few of my favs dubbel or trippels(or others):
Afligem, Gulden Drak,Chimay,Bornem,Corsendonk,Piraat

There are some very good American interpertations though
as mentioned before there are some lame-o's also:
my favs:
Unibroue(Canada) outstanding!!
Heavyweight-pretty good
Golden Monkey(Victory brewing) good

[sundontlie]

one I have not seen mentioned here... Kasteel! If you like triples and if you want something new and invigorating go Kasteel.. It's not your prototypical triple, but it'll knock your socks off. I haven't had one in a while, but I remember vanilla and an oaky dryness, high in alc % too which is like pruney tasting & very warming...
they have a great story about a moat and aging in the Castles cellar etc...

[eppie]

Kasteel! Yeah I'm also surprised no one has mentiond it. It's not a typical triple, but it's good. It's crystal clear and I kind of place it the strong blond catagory. Think of a fruity Duvel on steriods (11%!), but I think it goes better with food than a lot of it's "meatier" cousins. Good recomendation sundontlie.

Oh yeah, there's also a kasteel brown. Also 11%, but dark and really sweet (not fruity so much as sugary). I don't care for it, but if that's your thing you might want to try it.
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[hopjack13]

it may just take a while for your pallate to elevate, once it does you'll be able to pick out more flavors and appreciate the complexity that a lot of triples have. i was like that with barleywines, i had to keep drinking them before i could fully understand them. about 2 years ago i gave a friend of mine his first taste of chimay cinq cents and he thought it was "disgusting", "blasphemy!" i said " take thy glass and go home! how dare you insult the trappist (trappistine maybe?) brewers of chimay!" anyways 2 years later, he loves chimay, and swears he has all along :rolleyes:

[Wilson]

Originally posted by hopjack13
i had to keep drinking them before i could fully understand them.

Tough job, but someone has to do it! :D

[hopjack13]

AMEN! Brother Wilson!!!

[chazwicke]

I suspect I may have a bottle of Kasteel still hiding in the deep recesses of my beer fridge. Thanks for reminding me.

[hopjack13]

if i left now i could be there in four days to help you with that chaz!:D

[chazwicke]

Come on down! Well if your coming, you have to drive just a bit farther. In four days, I'll probably be sitting in Dogfish Head having lunch! I'll be at the beach for the long weekend. Rehobeth happens to be on the way.:D If you show, I'll buy.

[hopjack13]

tempting...and thnx for the offer but thats soooooo far! i haven't even been able to make it to san diego! or up north to drink with stod, i need to be more like you chaz,i need more free time and more money!:cool:

[newportstorm]

Not that it helps any of you (unless there are some hidden Roe Dyelinders or Massholes here): spied Westmalle Tripel at a local shop for $3.50 ea. Good deal around here - usually $6-7+ in these parts.

Cheers!

[eppie]

3.50 a good deal???!!!
I don't want to make you all jealous, but Westmalle triple runs about 98 Eurocents here for 33ml. I think if I lived back in the States I'd go broke, or just stick to the local stuff.
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[newportstorm]

Originally posted by eppie
3.50 a good deal???!!!
I don't want to make you all jealous, but Westmalle triple runs about 98 Eurocents here for 33ml. I think if I lived back in the States I'd go broke, or just stick to the local stuff.

Take any good craft beer here in the States, sell it to an importer, who sells it to a distributor who sells it to a retailer who sells it to you. After everyone gets their cut....$3.50 is a steal. Pricey compared to local craft beer here which can be had for $6-9/sixpack, but a good price on a classic Trippel.

Cheers!

[I'mRocketMan]

Originally posted by eppie
3.50 a good deal???!!!
I don't want to make you all jealous, but Westmalle triple runs about 98 Eurocents here for 33ml. I think if I lived back in the States I'd go broke, or just stick to the local stuff.

That's, what, 3 dollars here, right?? :D

[sundontlie]

i once paid 17 dollars at a beer bar for a westvleteren blue cap 12 oz.!!!! because i thought i couldn't find it anywhere, then i did find it for 5.99 in a beer store in new jersey... what a rip!

[fretlessman71]

Can you find the yellow cap stuff there? Can you STILL find it? PM me... and check your email too!

[BluesHarp]

Is the yellow the 12? I've had them all, but don't remember right now...:confused:

[fretlessman71]

Yes - the yellow is the holy-crap-I'm-shaking-the-bottle-like-its-ketchup-but- nothing's-coming-out 12. Can't imagine I'll ever see a bottle of THAT stuff anywhere near me.... :(

[BluesHarp]

...can't promise anything, but I will keep an eye open. I've gotten it before at my favorite paint store.

Rochefort 10 is usually available...;)