Brouwerij Westmalle - Trappist Tripel (Malle, Belgium)

Ah, that's where New Belguim got their bottles from...

The looming expectations that come with opening a beer like Westmalle's classic Trappist Tripel Ale can sometime surpass the tasting itself.  Or maybe it's just that way with most every highly rated and over fawned over beer, especially those from the old world.  Even more confusing is how distinctly different every variety of trappist ale is from the next.  Sure, most all of them are unfiltered, known for their high malt content and possess flowery hop noses, but in this instance I was quite surprised with what hit my lips.

In my experience with these Belgian Ales, there are a distinct number of draws for me and reasons to keep coming back to the style, most notable of them being the high ABV, the rich maltiness, the smooth body and what I've generally found to be a not too bitter aftertaste - all traits I'm not exactly finding with this Tripel, putting a bit on tilt this time around.  What's more, this beer, as I was afraid of building up to this review, requires being served at a temperature of 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.  A picky one, yes, but certainly worth the additional attention.

If you look closely, you can see plenty shiny bits of sediment.

Upon first pour, there wasn't a wealth of scents wafting up from the glass, but I was immediately struck by the multitude of tiny bits floating about - extra yeast for proper bottle conditioning.  Finishing the pour the head was about as it is above, not too big, no lacing at all and not the sticky sweet foam I've been reading about.  The scent is quite interesting which includes some tart lemongrass, pungent alcohol, and that trappist aroma you know and love.  With the first taste, which makes it all too apparent that this came fresh out of a really cold refrigerator, my initial impression is more that of an over carbonated champagne, than a classic Belgian Ale.  But, then there's the textures and layers of taste: tart lemon, subtle honey, a slightly grassy taste (reminding me of Great Divide's excellent Farmhouse Saison, Colette) then that notoriously heavy booze taste, then more tart/sour fruit to finish it.  A multitude of disparate flavors not doubt, but also a shock to the system, to say the least.

To be completely compliant with the rules, know that the expiry on the back says 04/05/2013, which I guess means it's "good" but that still seems way too long an expiration date to me.  Also of note, the review done by one of the Beer Advocate brothers notes that in Belgium this beer is FAR superior in all it's fresh glory, "obviously ten times fresher than we get in the states." My complaint here is that most any regional craft brewery worth it's salt should have at least one beer that will treat you to better freshness then this does.  To have it shipped halfway around the world, sans a high hop content, these beers require extra yeast to keep them fresh/carbonated, so for me at least, this beer, even after an hour of settling and warming, was far too carbonated, tastes almost a bit skunky and a bit too tart for my tastes.

Of course, as with all these Belgians sporting a high ABV (9.5% in this case), I find that in the end I have no choice but succumb it's beefed up boozy charms.  I'm easy.  But seriously, if you're going to drink this immense and complex Belgian beauty (it got better toward the end), be sure to give it time to warm before drinking and maybe swirl up the extra sediment from the bottom, like I forgot to do until the last quarter glass.  Maybe I got a bad bottle, maybe my tongue's taking the night off or maybe it's just not my favorite version of the trappist style.  Or maybe I'd just rather have a St. Bernardus.  Either way, if you're a Belgian beer freak, you should definitely check it out, as I'll certainly have to do again, if only to have better luck next time.

Prost!