Review – Redhook Tripel Belgian-Style Ale

From Redhook Brewing – “The limited release series is a lot of fun for us. On the heels of Double Black Stout, we experimented with this Tripel and brewed it in small batches, perfecting and balancing the strong flavors,” said Greg Deuhs, masterbrewer for Redhook Ale Brewery. “We stayed as close as possible to the Trappist methods pioneered by monks hundreds of years ago.”

Redhook Brewing Co – Redhook Tripel Belgian-Style Ale – 22 oz. bottle poured into proper glassware. 10.2% abv.

Appearance: Pours a light amber, showing visible carbonation, and a white pinstripe of a head.

Aroma: Heavy whiffs of clove and Belgain yeast. There are also light whiffs of banana and spicy hops.

Taste: A mixture of cloves and spicy, bitter hops hit the tip and middle of my tongue right off the bat.  Then I get some fruity, sugary sweetness, followed by the same flavors from the beginning, in the finish, lingering on the back of my tongue. Also seems kinda boozy and warm.

Mouthfeel: Sticky, and very fizzy.

Overall: A well made Tripel, although this seemed very young as of this writing.   While a tad hot, you’d be hard pressed to find much fault with this beer.