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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Continental Ales

Beer From Saints, for Sinners

Abbey Tripel

Monastic, or abbey, ales are an ancient tradition in Belgium, in much the same manner as wine production was once closely associated with monastic life in ancient France. Currently, very few working monasteries brew beer within the order, but many have licensed the production of beers bearing their abbey name to large commercial brewers. These “abbey ales” can vary enormously in specific character, but most are quite strong in alcohol content, ranging from 6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) to as high as 10 percent. Generally, abbey ales are labeled as either “dubbel” or “trippel,” though this is not a convention that is slavishly adhered to. The former conventionally denotes a relatively less alcoholic and often darker beer, while the latter can often be lighter or blond in color and have a syrupy, alcoholic mouthfeel that invites sipping, not rapid drinking. The lowest gravity abbey ale in a Belgian brewer’s range will conventionally be referred to as a “singel,” though it is rarely labeled as such.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

93 St. Feuillien Tripel, Brasserie St. Feuillien (Belgium). 8.5% ABV (5/11)
Cloudy golden yellow color. Aromas and flavors of spearmint gum, lime gelatin and Alpine flower lozenge with a round, frothy medium body and anise seed, parsnip purée and pear custard finish. A fun, spicy brew.

92 Tripel Horse, River Horse Brewery (NJ). 10% ABV (4/09)
Deep hazy golden amber color with a high, fine foamy head. Interesting aromas of turkey bacon, brown sugar and nutmeg follow through on a round, velvety entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with spicy pepper jelly, custard and candied peach notes. Finishes in a long, chewy fade of peppery spice with seared fat and earth accents. Great saison-like food beer.

92 Tripel Dipsea Belgian Style Ale, Marin Brewing Co. (CA). 9.2% ABV (5/10)
Bright pale amber color. Aromas of waffle cone, dried nectarine and delicate spices follow through on a round, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-full body with excellent balance and surprisingly subtle depth. Finishes with a long, citrus soufflé and earthy hops flourish. Brilliantly flavorful and drinkable.

91 Nectar des Dieux, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.5% ABV (4/09)
Cloudy orange amber color. Circus peanut, dried pineapple and marzipan aromas follow through on round, supple entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with chewy banana taffy, kiwi, mossy stone and peppered mango flavors on the finish. A tasty tripel!

91 Tripel Karmeliet, Brouwerij Bosteels (Belgium). 8.4% ABV (5/11)
Slightly hazy golden yellow color. Bright aromas of dried lemon and lavender, toasted brioche and béchamel with a zesty, fruity full body and a peach sauce, coriander, radish spouts and banana-raisin-cake finish. Very tasty and crowd-pleasing.

91 Abbey Pale Ale, Brouwerij Corsendonk (Belgium). 7.5% ABV (5/11)
Misty golden color. Toasty meringue, salted butter and golden raisin scone aromas with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy honey baked apple, citrus custard, praline and delicate peppery spice, and root vegetable finish. A deliciously drinkable abbey ale.

90 Ménage Á Frog, Issaquah Brewhouse (WA). 10.2% ABV (5/11)
Bit musty stinky and sticky. Molasses raisin and nuts with a yeasty sour dough, marmalade and sweet cabbage finish. Needs food. Funky.

90 Abbaye de St. Martin Tripel, Brasserie de Brunehaut (Belgium). 9% ABV (5/11)
Bright golden color. Bold aromas of grape sorbet, bubblegum and cinnamon spiced apple with a supple, foamy fruity medium-to-full body and a creamy clove custard pastry and carrot-accented finish.

90 St. Joseph’s Belgian Style Tripel, MOA Brewing Co. (New Zealand). 9.5% ABV (5/11)
Hazy old gold color with a superfine and high head. Rich tropical fruit custard pie and white toffee aromas with a supple, fruity medium-to-full body and a creamy melon gelato, honeyed kiwi and peppered cracker finish. A seamless and dangerously drinkable tripel.

89 La Trappe Tripel, Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven B.V. (Holland). 8% ABV (5/11)
Hazy amber color. Aromas of banana chips and taffy, white toffee and delicate brown spices with a supple, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tangy green apple, mint, pink peppercorn, mineral and grilled kale finish.

89 Samuel Adams New World Tripel, The Boston Beer Co. (MA). 10% ABV (5/11)
Lightly hazy old gold color. Bright spicy aromas of pear and lychee tarts, pistachio brittle, coriander and anise cookie with a satiny, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a long, juicy apple and stone fruit finish with notes of peppercorns, honey and alfalfa. Very tasty and well balanced.

88 Abbey Triple, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 8.4% ABV (5/10)
Deep golden amber color. Honeyed toasted biscuit and apricot marmalade aromas follow through on a round, supple entry with very good depth and balance. Finishes with chewy, lemon bread and peppery spice accents. A very fruity and crowd-pleasing version of tripel with great drinkability.

84 Three Ridges Tripel, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. (VA). 8.5% ABV (5/10)
Bright golden amber color. Aromas of Denver omelet, crystallized ginger and delicate spices follow through on a supple, chewy entry to a fruity sweet full body with pomegranate molasses, sour cherry butter and honeyed nut notes. Finishes with a long, warming, pink peppercorn and tart Meyer lemon zest fade. Interesting.

84 Phat Abbot Tripel, Arbor Brewing Co. (MI). 9% ABV (5/11)
Odd Lightly hazy pale copper color with froggy bubbles. Orange honey on buttered nut toast with a supple dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a savory chewy, lightly salty, roasted beet finish.

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