Belgian style tripel is a strong, aromatic and complex beer brewed in the traditional style of Belgian Trappist breweries. It typically has an golden-orange color and an alcohol by volume (ABV) of 7.5-9.
5%, although higher ABV’s are not uncommon. Its flavor is often characterized by the balance of aromas and flavors of sweet malts, Belgian yeast, and spicy or fruity notes, some of which can be intense and dominate the taste.
Tripels are known for their delicate balance of sweetness, complexity and alcohol which gives them a unique dry, mellow finish with a slight fruity flavor. They also tend to be slightly darker in color than other Belgian ales and have a bigger, loftier carbonation.
While they are not intensely bitter, they are balanced by a subtle hop presence that adds a spicy and herbal quality. Belgian tripel beers are often consumed on their own, but they also pair well with a wide range of foods, from light salads to rich stews.
Why is it called a Belgian Tripel?
The “Tripel” designation originates from a monastery at the Westmalle brewery which produces the Tripel style of beer. These beers are traditionally brewed with pale malts, strong hops, and high alcohol content to create a smooth and delicious beer.
The term was coined in the early 1800s to denote these brews which were created using a triple portion of malts, hops and yeast. The name Belgian Tripel is simply a reference to this style of beer originating in Belgium.
Belgian Tripels are typically golden in color, with a light but complex flavor profile, ranging from sweet to spicy, with a nice roundness of malt and finishes dry. These beers are usually quite strong, usually ranging from 8-11% ABV, allowing them to age gracefully and develop a mellower character over time.
How strong is a tripel beer?
Tripel beer is a strong, complex Belgian ale. Generally, Tripel beers are around 7.5 to 9.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), making them strong beers. Tripel beers are usually light colored and quite effervescent, and feature higher levels of alcohol with a sweet, malty flavor and aroma.
The flavor of Tripel beer has a range of complexity, although most common versions are noted for having a strong taste of alcohol, as well as strong fruity (citrus and stone fruit) notes. They also include notes of clove, pepper, and vanilla, as well as a hint of honey.
All of these flavors come from the use of specialty Belgian yeast varieties and the addition of fruit, spices, and/or hops. Because of the complexity, most Tripel beers are recommended for sipping and savoring slowly.
How do you drink a Belgian Tripel?
The best way to enjoy a Belgian Tripel is to pour it into a tulip glass. This type of glass helps to concentrate the aromas of the beer and also creates a nice head of foam. Make sure to pour slowly in order to limit the build-up of carbonation.
You’ll want to fill the glass just over 3/4 of the way full. Once it is poured, take a moment to take in the beer’s color and aroma.
Before tasting, take in the aroma and enjoy the flavors of the Tripel. Commonly noted flavors are banana, pear, clove, and a bit of citrus, which are all due to the unique Belgian yeast strain used in its production.
Once you’ve experienced the aroma, let the beer warm up a bit and take your first sip. You may want to slightly tilt the glass as you drink in order to best capture the complexity of flavors. Enjoy the beer’s full body and finish with the lingering aftertaste.
When you finish the beer, take a moment to consider how the flavors have changed as it grew warmer and night have changed with time. Enjoying a Belgian Tripel is an experience to be savored and you can relish in the delicious flavors that come from this style of beer.
Why is Belgium beer so good?
Belgium beer is renowned for its distinct and delicious flavor, often described as the perfect balance between sweet, bitter and hoppy. This can be attributed to the unique production method used in the country.
The tradition of brewing beer in Belgium dates back to at least the 13th century, so they have had plenty of time to perfect their craft. Quality control is extremely important in the Belgian brewing process, and the country has strict regulations in place to ensure a standard of excellence.
Additionally, brewers in Belgium are very creative and don’t shy away from experimentation. As a result, there is an incredibly wide variety of beers to choose from, including light lagers and ales, dark dubbels and tripels, sour Belgian lambics, and fruity witbiers.
All of these unique styles contribute to the outstanding quality of Belgian beer.
What is the difference between a Belgian Dubbel and tripel?
Belgian Dubbel and Tripel beers are Belgian styles of ales that feature malt-forward flavors. The main difference between the two is the amount of malt and alcohol each beer has. A Belgian Dubbel beer is characterized by its deep reddish-brown color, complex malt flavors and a relatively low alcohol content of 6.
5% to 8% ABV. Dubbels are known for being sweet and malty, with balanced hop bitterness and dark fruit notes like raisin and fig.
A Belgian Tripel is a golden colored beer with a higher alcohol content than a Dubbel, at 7.5%-9.5% ABV. They are known for their fruity, spicy yeast character and a balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness.
Tripels often feature notes of banana, pepper and clove, as well as a fuller body and alcohol presence on the palate. Both beers are bottle-conditioned, meaning the residual yeast in the bottle continues the fermentation process, giving them a light effervescence.
What does triple mean in beer?
Triple in beer refers to beers with an especially high alcohol content. Triple refers to an especially strong form of ale or lager, typically brewed with three times the amount of barley (or malt) than typically used in the brewing process.
However, there is no precise definition as to what constitutes a “triple,” as it generally depends on the brewery and the style of beer being produced. Generally, triples have an alcohol content of between 8-10%, although some craft breweries have produced triple IPAs with an alcohol content as high as 16%.
Beers with a triple designation will typically be brewed with a wide variety of specialty malts and hops, resulting in a complex and intense flavor. Triples can often be a bit on the sweeter side due to the high malt content, with some also containing a light fruitiness because of the yeast.
Is a Belgian Tripel a sour?
No, a Belgian Tripel is not a sour beer. Belgian Tripels are complex, full-bodied ales that are usually brewed with pale malts and sometimes with sugar during the brewing process. They tend to be golden and have strong notes of fruit, floral, and spice-like flavors with a slightly dry, crisp finish.
While they are less sweet than a traditional Belgian Dubbel, they are still a bit sweet but not considered a sour. The origin of the name “Tripel” is believed to come from the fact that the beer is typically brewed with three times the amount of malt and hop as a traditional Trappist Table Beer.
Is tripel beer hoppy?
Tripel beer is a type of Belgian beer that is characterized by its strong alcohol content and relatively dry taste. While the exact origin of tripel beer is unknown, it is believed to have been first brewed in the town of Westmalle, Belgium in the early 20th century.
Tripel beer is typically brewed with pale malt and a small amount of sugar, and is spiced with coriander and orange peel. The finished beer is typically golden in color and has a high alcohol content, often exceeding 9% ABV.
While tripel beer is not typically considered to be a “hoppy” beer, it does have a moderate level of bitterness that is balanced out by the sweetness of the malt and sugar.
Are Belgian beers hoppy?
Belgian beers are quite diverse, so it’s hard to make a general statement about how “hoppy” they are. Many Belgian beers, particularly the classic Trappist ales, have very low hop bitterness due to the traditional Belgian brewing techniques used.
However, many modern Belgian brewers have begun using hops more liberally in their recipes, which has led to a number of Belgian-style beers with high hop bitterness and flavor. Overall, Belgian beer encompasses a huge range of flavor and bitterness, so picking out an individual trait like hoppiness is difficult.
