La Trappe Tripel

La Trappe Tripel is being evaluated as a Belgian Tripel (2015 BJCP category 26C) offering according to the 2015 BJCP Style Guidelines.  La Trappe Tripel is a genuine Trappist beer brewed at the Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven in the Netherlands.  The beer has been brewed within the monastery's walls under the supervision of Trappist monks of the Cistercian order since 1884.  Belgian Tripels, as described by the BJCP Style Guidelines, are light-colored, strong ales demonstrating generous yeast derived flavors of phenolics and esters while yet being a "surprisingly drinkable beverage".  

This Tripel is presented as a dark golden beer with a slight haze and a firm off-white head.  The aroma is prominently fruity, generically berry-like, with an abundance of alcohol supported by a lighter spice and black pepper phenolic and bready malt backbone.  The body is medium with a moderate carbonation and an appropriate warming sensation demonstrating the high alcohol content.  The flavor more prominently highlights the lightly sweet, bready malt that helps to temper the peppery phenolics and prominent alcohol.  The finish is just lightly bittered allowing the bready malt to continue through the finish with a lingering berry-like fruit and alcohol warmth. While this is a very pleasant offering, this beer lacks in complexity and smoothness compared to other hallmarks of the style.