LB-079 New Beginnings - Belgian Tripel

A reminder that careers can make a difference even when the journey includes the occasional rise from the ashes.

About the Brew -

Not our first Belgian; however, we have rarely invested as much effort in understanding the history & style and on focusing on the details. Killick is happy.  

Luddite Tasting Notes -

Shift Happens - Smooth; dry finish; balanced notes of clove & banana that compliments the malt; no bitterness; not sour :(

FleaSoc with Adam - Spicy with notes of nutmeg (not cinnamon); banana; not too sweet; balance of malt and residual sugar

Island Girl of the Snorkeling Clan - Honey

Queen of Tarts - Subtle banana & clove; buttery; undertone of citrus

Killick - Straw color; effervescent with some bitterness from the carbonation; malt contributes to a rounded mouthfeel (possibly described as "buttery" but no noticeable diacetyl); no alcohol burn despite the high ABV - very sneaky; notes of pepper, clove, grapefruit and Bazooka bubble gum (much less pronounced than in some commercial versions). All-in-all... a balanced, very sessionable and delightfully sneaky Tripel.

BJCP Style Highlights -

Overall Impression - A pale, somewhat spicy, dry, strong Trappist ale with a pleasant, rounded malt flavor and firm bitterness. Quite aromatic, with spicy, fruity, and light alcohol notes combining with the supportive clean malt character to produce a surprisingly drinkable beverage considering the high alcohol level.

(Killick - "pale", "spicy", "fruity", "dry", "strong", "light alcohol", "drinkable" are key terms consistent with our tasting notes)

Flavor - Marriage of spicy, fruity and alcohol flavors supported by a soft, rounded grainy-sweet malt impression, occasionally with a very light honey note. Low to moderate phenols are peppery in character. Esters are reminiscent of citrus fruit such as orange or sometimes lemon and are low to moderate.

(Killick - Kudos to Island Girl for picking up on the honey! Tasting notes are consistent with the guideline.)

Mouthfeel - The alcohol content is deceptive and has little to no obvious warming sensation. Always effervescent.

Comments - High in alcohol but does not taste strongly of alcohol. The best examples are sneaky, not obvious.

(Killick - Love to see "sneaky" as a core characteristic of the style!)

Brewed on April 23, 2022 and kegged on May 12, 2022. You can view the recipe here.