Jan 17, 2012

Steen Brugge Tripel

Steen Brugge photo

This bottle of Steen Brugge Tripel actually arrived late last year in a group package of a few other Palm-produced brews. For one reason or another my tasting notes (and apparently my memory) were buried under a pile of other beer reviews. Please don’t take the lateness of this review as an indication of this tasty Belgian Tripel quality and enjoyment — just an indication that perhaps I need to get more organized.

The Tripel is brewed with Gruut (a blend of herbs) that was historically a precursor to the use of hops in the region from which this beer originates. It’s not apparent which herbs/spiced are used within this beer’s depths, but their presence certainly has an effect on the overall flavor. This beer, however, does not simply rely on traditional resources for its recipe as there is also a solid bit of hop character that comes forward. It’s a nice bridge between brewing eras.

Appearance

Pouring a crystal clear golden amber in color Steen Brugge sits with a large, rocky head that seemed to last forever.

Aroma

Light fruit (green apple, pear), subtle yeast and a balanced blend of spices fill the nose.

Taste

Steen Brugge starts off with a mild sweetness before heading into a slightly hopped and warming finish. There’s an earthiness to the beer that is quite refreshing for the style. It’s not as sweet as many tripels as the green apple and lemony citrus of the hops mix well with the spices and herbs. The crisp mouthfeel gives the beer a refreshing character. At 8.7% the beer is dangerously quaffable, going down smoothly.

Overall

I enjoyed this beer thoroughly. The arrival of the late forming hops in conjunction with the peppery yeast makes for a unique tripel that is flavorful and warming. I can see this one being enjoyed year-round. I know I just saw it on the shelves of a local Total Wine, so it will be coming home with me soon enough.

Rating: 4/5

This is a review of a promotional sample received from PR company representing the brewery.

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