Flying Dog Bewery: Kerberos Tripel

I haven't had a new flying dog in a while (though I do go for a six pack of their Old Scratch lager every now and again). Never having tried their version of the Belgian Tripel, I decided to give it a try.

I am picky when it comes to Belgian brews, but I was really underwhelmed by this one. It's got a primarily sour-citrus taste to it, and it finishes with a very yeasty taste. Not really my ideal flavor combo. It doesn't really seem to have any of that earthy spiciness that makes for a great Belgian beer either.

Flying Dog is turning out to be a real hit-or-miss kind of establishment. Their Old Scratch lager and Gonzo porter are quality brews, and their IPA is respectable, to say the least. But their winter warmer and this brew have been disappointing, and their pale is just another undifferentiated american pale ale.

Oh well. The 8.5% ABV is appreciated on a cold December night. Happy Holidays.

New Belgium Brewing: Trippel Belgian Style Ale

My local co-op allows customers to pull individual beers out of six packs and pay for that single bottle at roughly 1/6th the price of the whole carrier. It's a convenient policy for beer drinkers that want to sample a beer before investing in six identical bottles of the same brew.

As you may know from my other posts, I have have an affinity for American style beers. Despite this gravitation, I do appreciate a good brew made or modeled after a traditional European style. As a result, in my most recent visit to the store, I included a single New Belgium's Tippel into my cart.

This Belgian tripple has three ladies, three arches, and triple fermentation all encapsulated in one beer. After cracking open the bottle and pouring firmly into the glass, the Tripple exhibits an incredibly powerful aroma and wafts out fruit flavors of apple and banana. It will definitely remind you of a Belgian Ale. The taste is not nearly as potent as the smell and mainly has the flavor of Belgium yeast. There is very little hop or malt sensations and the beer possesses more of a creamy-fruity-yeasty combination than anything else. If the let the beer sit on your pallate your tongue will begin to sting as this tripple weighs in at 7.8% by volume. Despite this massive punch from the booze, the beer flavors hides the alcohol beautifully.

Overall this tripple is an accurate recreation of the Belgian style. So feel free to sample and enjoy one yourself in the future. Or if you really enjoy Belgian Ales, don't hesitate to grab the whole six pack. Because now I kinda wish I had another to drink. Cheers.

Unibroue: La Fin Du Monde

Summer is officially half over for me, so while it isn't technically the end of the world yet, I felt the occaision (and the 3 day holiday weekend) called for something special. Enter, Fin Du Monde.

I went through a bit of a belgian kick earlier this year, which is when I discovered Fin du Monde. I sorta burnt out on Belgians generally, but Fin du Monde is a brew I don't think I'll ever get tired of. It's a very carbonated belgian-style trippel, boasting that peculiar light Belgian maltiness. Unlike most belgians, however, this one doesn't leave any of that earthy bitterness lingering on your tongue, which makes it remarkably drinkable and refreshing. Fin du Monde also has that subtle spiciness that characterizes some Belgians, and in the absence of any strong bitter flavors, you can really taste the spice. But what makes this brew really stand out is just how well balanced it is. Finally, the beer does a second-to-none job of masking the high ABV (9%).

I don't care if you're a lager-lover, a paleophile, or any other particular brand of beer-partisan. This is one you have to try.