Ondineke Oilsjtersen Tripel - KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Musty slightly funky yeasty aroma. Great creamy head pour. Light colour. In a word, creamy yeasty milk taste with hop bitterness in the finish. Nicely drinkable, with food. Not for everybody, and not everyone's idea of the triple.ABove average mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2008 05:30:28 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.1/5  rDev -1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Blurry lemon, thanks to abundant swirling yeast and even more abundant, rapidly rising bubbles. The alabaster crown is beautiful in the way that only Belgian foam can be. It's huge to start, looks pillowy soft, becomes melted rocky as it descends, and leaves fine filagreed lace on the glass. The second pour looks even better. What a looker!

The nose is world-class even if it doesn't deserve a perfect score. No spices were added, according to the brewery. Which means that the yeast are incredibly esterific. The usual candi sugar-soaked orchard fruit is present, with lemon zest more prominent than in most beer of this style.

The spiciness of the flavor profile is impressive. Ondineke isn't as rip roarin' as, say, De Dolle Dulle Teve (Mad Bitch), but it ain't no wallflower either. It may be lacking a little in terms of depth and complexity, but that's a call I don't feel good about making until the bottle is almost gone. If I can still type at that point.

Flavors include spiced pears and apples, maybe a slice of juicy peach, and candied lemon zest... all swimming in sugar syrup. That isn't to say, however, that OTT is overly sweet. Hallertau Mittelfruh hops do a good job countering the sugariness of the malt (pale, pils) and the candi sugar. Let's add the slight tang of untoasted sourdough bread to the list.

A better mouthfeel might have put this ale over the top. Unfortunately, it isn't as lightly creamy and as voluptuously smooth as the best Belgian tripels. The carbonation faded too quickly and is sorely missed.

Ondineke Oilsjtersen Tripel started out like a house on fire, but lost its spark when it came to the mouthfeel. I'm still pleased with my first De Glazen Toren beer and can't wait to see what else this brewery has to offer. Bottom line: if it was less than $10, it was worth the money.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2008 21:41:15 | More by BuckeyeNation

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: poured a deep cloudy (non-filtered) golden color ale with a super huge white foamy head with great retention and some perfect lacing. Aroma of light sweet peach with some fruity yeasty ester is really intriguing and refreshing. Taste is a well balance mix between some peach, some sweet malt with a well balance dry hops finish and some fruity ester from the yeast. Full body with minimal filtering and some great carbonation. I have to admit to being really impressed by that one.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2007 19:46:08 | More by Phyl21ca

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A unique beer, an atypical tripel, (full name: Ondineke Oilsjtersen Tripel (Tripel from Aalst) with an unusual name, and label art. After much searching, I learned it's named for a character in a book buy a local author, and the drawing is a depiction of this "Ondineke" character. Still looks extremely odd. Did they ever translate it from the Flemish. I'd be interested to know why this beloved heroine is pigtailed, nude and possessed of strangely long fingers.

Alas, this might not be the perfect glass for a tripel, but it is the only one I have with the Glazen Toren logo. So, I'm using it.

Gorgeous golden cast, with a constant stream of bubbling, and big snowy white head, starts large, drifts down, leaving lace.

Aroma: a perfect marriage of spice and citrus, soft and sensual. Some pepper, some coriander, geting close with orange and lemon, sliding into the nose and tickling it. Sharp, tangy, then a little sweet.

Many things in the mouth. Sparkling, spicy, sweet, juicy, then dry as she goes. Fruit goes hand in hand with spice, and it quits the palate with a quickness, drying off, yet enticing another sip. Gets more and more lemon-y as we go deeper in. Each new meet and greet on the tongue smack the lips and palate again with small amounts of spice, large amounts of fruit, that swiftly turns dry and begs it's pardon on the way. Lingers lightly. Spreads just enough of it's particular pleasure along the palate to urge on further consumption, and spread further delights.

Serving type: on-tap

12-22-2011 01:27:37 | More by feloniousmonk

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.58/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Surprise, surprise ( Not!), another beer from this brewery that is fabulously carbonated. A dense, voluminous, meringue like head sits atop this beer. Mad rivulets of carbonation cascade through this beer propelling the head ever higher above the rim of my glass. The head started out three fingers thick in my tulip glass, but is now a full two-fingers above the rim of my glass and it is showing now signs of flowing over the rim; a veritable structural masterpiece. The beer is an enticing, brilliantly clear, orangish copper color and the head, lest I forget, is a light tan-cream color. Ah the aroma has that characteristic note that I associate with a good Tripel; a bit yeasty, sweet and creamy smelling (if you can imagine such an incongruous descriptor being valid), with spicy / herbal notes ranging all over the place. I get notes that jump from vanilla to lemon grass, to stinging nettle, to orange peel, to hay, to weedy wild-flower blossoms. Sharp ginger notes combine with white pepper and dusty grains of paradise, as well as a touch of sour. What an absolutely fabulous aroma this beer has.

The beer is sweet and lightly tart up front, but then that ample carbonation causes it to explode on my tongue. There is enough of a body to this beer that it still is able to cling to the palate even as it vaporizes on my tongue. Creamy, and satiating, yet with the carbonation light and effervescent as well. The carbonation combines with spicy phenolics and other yeast driven notes to create a biting character to this beer that starts in the middle, and then combines with some sharp notes of higher alcohols (and regular old alcohol too) that are found in the finish. Ultimately this beer has a certain warming character to it that lingers on down in my esophagus long after I have taken a sip. The combination of the creamy body, the sweet malt and some notes of orange peel lead me to thoughts of candied orange-creams.

Once the head starts to finally fall it forms a rockied, alien surface full of shear canyons, volcanic cratered peaks, and crevasses that lead to caves; by far one of the most interesting heads I have ever seen on a beer. All the while the head also leaves a varied pattern of Belgian lace on the sides of my glass. The aroma ultimately seems to remind me of a freshly mown field of hay mixed with scythed dandelions, and trampled wild flowers; an aromatic experience that I love to find in both Tripels and Saisons.

What a stupendously engaging and tasty beer. This is the full on experience that one hopes to find in every beer. A light, yeast derived tartness only adds to the complexity of this beer. Spice notes also abound in this beer; I get notes of kefir lime leaf, ginger, and even some notes that make me thing of the heat from a chile pepper. As the beer warms and looses the carbonation, it actually seems to become a bit less creamy, which I certainly would not expect.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2006 17:17:32 | More by Gueuzedude

emerge077

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A loud hiss is released when the cap comes off...moments later foam is gushing into the sink. Pleasant aromas waft around, well before the glass is poured. First impression was of fruity yogurt, and fresh baked breads. It's a hazy golden pour, with a ton of billowing foam. Sticky lace forms as the glass rests for a minute. Aroma closer inside the glass is of sweet pale malt, with a hint of spice, mildly rich and boozy overall.

Taste follows aroma of pale malt, candy sugar, sort of lightly wheaty. I'd agree with the previous review describing it as an imperial hefe, especially in the smooth mouthfeel and wheat character. Unlike a stronger version of a hefe though, it's a bit sweeter and fairly rich. No banana/clove dynamic really. Hops are there in the finish but take a backseat to the stronger flavors. A pleasant lingering aftertaste of mellow citrus, and sweet esters. A slower sipper, one to share with friends.

De Glazen Toren surely creates unique versions of traditional Belgian styles. This is my second favorite, after the exceptional Jan De Lichte Double Wit.

Recommended!

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2006 01:29:27 | More by emerge077

Zorro

California

3.78/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Wrapper says Bottled on 24 Aug 2007 so this bottle is 6 months old.

Clear golden colored beer with a massive white colored head.

The smell is sweet and spicy with a strong herbal aroma and a strong vanilla aroma. Coriander, hot pepper, mint, apple brandy, and caramel are all in here.

The taste begins mildly sweet and spicy with a mint aftertaste...I think. Slightly hot in the mouth possibly from coriander or ginger. The taste just isn't what the smell promises, smells great and tastes sort of average.

Mouthfeel is OK.

Well not the best but not so bad. Though for $14.99 for the bottle it should be world class. Not a bad beer but I think I would drink the Saison again first.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2008 00:27:22 | More by Zorro

corby112

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy golden orange color with a 2.5 finger frothy yellowish head. Good retention, slowly fading into a lasting cap that leaves sporadic spots of lacing.

Spicy peppery zest aroma with hints of corriander, bready yeast and citrus peel. Smells like a bland version of a style that usually has an intere4sting aroma.

Sweet citrus aroma with a lot of zesty/peppery flavor. Lots of corriander with bready yeast body and sweet citrus notes. Orange peel and grapefruit dominate and the alcohol is well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 08:52:11 | More by corby112

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Another fabulous beer at 72 hours of Belgium.

The beer pours an impressive bright gold color with good head retention and excellent lacing. The nose is bit mute, but one gets honey and gingerale. The flavor profile replicates the nose, but is very rich... butter, honey, ginger ale, apple and honey. This beer is terrific. The beer is not heavy and is so easy to drink. This is just fabulous stuff. On tap it is an extra special treat.

The flavors are quite complex, and there is an added element I cant' quite describe. There is almost a chalk/clay flavor, which normally wouldn't be such a great thing, but works very well in cutting the sweetness of this beer.

Excellent stuff....

Serving type: on-tap

02-17-2008 18:07:32 | More by johnmichaelsen

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

4.47/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Coming in a 750ml brown champagne bottle, capped and paper-wrapped without a beer label on the bottle. Bottled on 30 DEC 2005, so it's relatively young now but I just can't wait. Besides, I gather that hops would be more vivid if the bottle is consumed earlier? Served lightly-chilled in a large Burgundy bulb wine glass.

A: dark orangey-golden in colour; the hissing beer head builds up slowly but surely to a thick and fluffy rocky foam, then breaks down reluctantly, leaving uneven sheets of tight lacing along the way; nice-looking carbonation, full of tiny bubbles drizzling upside down.
S: a rich flow of perfumy fruits fills up my nostrils with surprise and joy: sour sweet mango, sweet lemon, green apple, sweet grapefruit peel, plus a grassy note of hops... A slightly metallic edge and refreshing funky/sour note of farmhouse brew stay in the background with a sprinkle of coriander, vanilla, and white-peppery yeastiness... all wrapped up by a rounded but semi-rich+sweet malty coating. Overall, the aroma is crafted beautifully and evolving all the time, yet an untamed yeasty edge still gives the rich aroma a kick to keep a refreshing balance. Complex and real...nice~~
T: wow... lots of fruit-esters and funky yeasts pour onto the palate together: green apples+mild citrus-peels+lemon-grass lead the way, followed by a slightly rough edge of farmhouse-brew yeastiness--piney, pineapple-ish sour-sweet, slightly nutty and sharp, but overall mixed very well with the fruity flavour; a dryish-sweet spicy flavour, mostly white pepper, gradually manifests, backed by a firm but mildly-flavoured malty base... I wonder where the malts and added candy-sugar are gone? as they are so inextricably-intertwined with the fruitiness and perfume... A lovely and soft grainy aftertone emerges quietly in the end along with the long, dryish hops+yeasts, leaving an undercurrent of warming alc. deep down the throat only at a very late stage and the right-in-place spices lingering beautifully to elevate the overall palate... Satisfying, yet more-ish!!
M&D: there's slightly more fizz than needed upfront, but as the beer breathes a little while, the carbonation becomes ideal, soft and creamy... For a 8.5% Tripel, the body is vertical and superb, moderate to match its refreshing palate and making it all the more drinkable. I could easily kill the whole bottle (or two!!) on my own at the desk even when studying--that's how approachable I think this beer is. A lovely, tasty and reasonably complex Tripel, spot-on for my preference for a Tripel. Highly recommended!!

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2006 00:55:01 | More by wl0307

RoyalT

Ohio

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance - This came out a sharp but clear orange in color with a beautiful bright white head. Everything about this beer looks terrific but the head in particular looks as fluffy as a down pillow. This mind you from a very careful pour.

Smell - The bouquet has all the requisite smells of the style, but everything is of high quality and very distinctive. The coriander aroma for instance is like fresh cilantro seeds just crushed in a mortar and pestle. The hops are mild but again very leafy and distinctive. The light white pepper is lightly bitter but absolutely exquisite.

Taste - The taste is as delicate and distinctive as the smell. There are more hops at the taste making this a heavy-hitting Tripel. The malts definitely play back up but again are of the highest quality. The light candi sugar melts in the mouth.

Mouthfeel - This is a medium to full-bodied ale. The delicate, tickling mouthfeel is pure pleasure and the long, bitter finish is quite satisfying.

Drinkability - This is one of the most harmonious Tripels I have ever had. It went down slow but beautifully, had no sense of alcohol or that dreaded Tripel medicine cabinet, and was delicate as a freshly plucked flower. One of the best Tripels I've ever had!

Comments - The hops for this beer, Saaz, target, styrian, goldings, and cascades, are all picked locally from the town of Meldert, and boy does it show. It's like the difference between making a dinner salad from vegetables bought from the store and those plucked fresh the same day from your own backyard garden.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2008 04:02:17 | More by RoyalT

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +14.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ondineke Oilsjtersen Tripel
KleinBrouwerij De Glazen Toren
Style: Tripel
ABV: 8.50 %

LOOK; 25 oz bottle. Pours a slightly cloudy golden color with a pillowy froth going up half the glass. The head has fine staying power and leaves plenty of lace down the glass.

SMELL: Aroma of expressive, fruity, estery Belgian yeast and dry noble hops. Grass, straw, pear, and entrancing alcohol aromas all leap from the glass.

TASTE: Mellow Belgian yeast character with more soft pear and apricot notes. There is a firm hoppy character with woody, earthy, herbal hops providing a light bitterness and slight dryness to the brew. Alcohol heat is barely noticeable with all the delicious flavors. The hop comes out fairly strong and the brewer is very proud of the source of the hops as being the last true link to the hop growing region of Aalst.

FEEL: Light to medium bodied, fairly effervescent, and a complex drying hop finish. Belgian yeast and delicate bitterness carry into an elegant finish.

OVERALL: This is a world class tripel and one of the finer examples of the style. Has a great hop character and the yeast used makes for a delicious beverage. Would pair superbly with herb & oil marinated fish dishes.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2012 17:09:36 | More by Stinkypuss

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.03/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 750ml green flask wrapped in a rather cool looking white paper wrapper that is decorated with a repeating design of a dark yellow silhouette of a brew kettle against a red and yellow background. This pattern forms the centre-piece of the main label on the bottle also. Sealed with a red crown cap. Has a ‘Bottled On’ date of 30 Dec. 2005. The Paper Wrapper lists the brew at 8.5%, as does the main label and DGT Website Notes.

Appearance: Streamers punctuate the pale yellow body which exhibits a faded golden torso. Lovely crisp white head forms a Belgium style Tripel-tastic head which leaves a lot of clumpy lacing and hefty hewn overhanging ridges which cover the rocky surface.

Nose: Lovely snozzle; spicy hops, lemongrass, hay, straw, fresh dough and a warming hint of alcohol. Bitter nasal properties are demonstrated as it warms, whilst the Belgian yeast also breaks through as it warms.

Taste: Pretty much in line with the nose, the flavors exhibit a solid racy tastes with a heritage that is well defined. Candy sugar bolsters the spicy middle, hop tingle and a lemon tinged finish which has a biting zesty lingering death. No sweetness at all here, it’s all spicy and zingy. A lovely interpretation of the style with a refreshing zesty and bitter boost. Incredibly moor-ish!

Mouthfeel: Light body with a healthy feel which benefits from a rich bubbly texture and a creamy slaking finish. Tart aspects lend a sharp dimension which adds freshness.

Drinkability: Easily taken, I finished the bottle with very little effort. Clean but definitely far from boring with a healthy punch. A tasty spicy Tripel that quaffs, especially on a warm humid night in Long Beach.

Overall: Cost $10.99 from Half-Time in Poughkeepsie, NY. A little more than I usually pay but well worth the money! Go for it.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2006 07:17:31 | More by TheLongBeachBum

smakawhat

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. Bottled July 25th 2009? Ready to rip this!

A nice simple forming off white head, quite large with soapy bubbles but the head falls VERY fast. Body color is a dull bronze, and amber. Manages it seems a thin but consistent puck on the glass, resting to a good collar.

Nose brings a small heat, a little bit of boozyness but nothing outrageous, and some small floral with a large malt. Not particularly sweet, possibly effervescent sense, giving way to orange and citrus light sensations.

A mild spiced malt, mixes with a sense of small cardamom sweetness in the palate. Mouthfeel is just a little bit fizzy, with a prickly feeling that takes away some of the pleasure. Slightly "gassy". Sweetness of orange and honey comes out later with some nice malt character. Hints at crisp, gets MUCH better as the sips progress with a slow sweetness that creeps out.

Overall quite interesting, a very subdued and subtle for the style I do enjoy it, but not a real out of the park home run. No worries I will never turn this down given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2011 01:10:21 | More by smakawhat

GClarkage

California

4.75/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

04/20/08- Had on tap at the Toronado during Belgian Beer Month.

Presentation- Via the tap into a tulip-wine style glass.

Appearance- Pale honey colored pour with a 1/4 inch head that leaves decent lace traces.

Smell- Lightly hopped nose with a bit of a herbal note. Smells a touch tart and farmhouse.

Taste- Complex! Notes of everything at different stages. Honey, floral flavors, light hops, sweet confectioniers sugar, caramel malt base. Starts out a bit tart and ends a bit sweet.

Mouthfeel- Lightly carbonated, but sharp and intense. Very smooth and creamy as well.

Drinkability- My favorite beer of the day hands down. Lots of goodies thrown into one beer. Easy drinker that I will look for in the bottle in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

04-23-2008 00:38:44 | More by GClarkage

drpimento

Wisconsin

3.3/5  rDev -20.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Despite the reasonable rating I'm giving, this beer is a bit of a disappointment. Poured with a very nice foamy frothy thick cream colored head and lots of lace. Color is a very hazy light medium amber. Aroma is yeast malt and a little spice. Flavor is kind of shallow with little character. I get malt candy sugar yeast. Body is very good and so is carbonation. Finish is sweet with a little bit of bitterness at the end. Length is on the short side.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2010 21:45:35 | More by drpimento

flagmantho

Washington

3.1/5  rDev -25.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from 750mL bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: rich golden yellow with a nice amount of haze. There are a couple of floaties and the beer is exploding with effervescence. Head poured four fingers of creamy ivory foam despite a rather gentle pour. Good stuff.

Smell: sweet malt aroma with a big carbon dioxide bite. This smells like a sweet Champagne or a cava, even. Fruitiness trends toward green apple, and there are some off-aromas here which I don't like (I can't describe it, but it is reminiscent of diesel exhaust). Overall, the aromas are interesting, but this beer really doesn't float my boat.

Taste: very sweet. There is some malty flavor but it is very sweet, almost like eating a handful of Whoppers. The apple is subtle here but persists. The flavors are okay but it's almost cloyingly sweet.

Mouthfeel: good body with a solid carbonation. It's dreamily creamy, just like I like 'em. Best part about this beer.

Drinkability: it's just too sweet for me. The aroma is also starting to get to me in a bad way. Did I mention diesel exhaust and Whoppers? If you like that stuff, you'll be OK here.

I'll finish this bottle but I'll never seek this out again.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2010 03:14:28 | More by flagmantho

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The beer poured into the chalice crystal clear pale golden with a white and frothy, heck, make that moussy head which lasted for days and laced the glass.

The aroma was floral and fruity at arm's length and when brough in closer exhibited a light caramel note and a light Belgian yeast spice characteristic. There was a light earthy tone to the aroma and a very light alcohol presence.

The flavor was lightly earthy and slightly grassy with a nice, but light, hop bittering and light hop flavor. The flavor exhibited zero alcohol presence and contained a crisp caramel character which was light with a slight Belgian yeast spice. All the flavors seemed to work well together and created a very nice experience. A bit of citrus was present as well for good measure.

The finish was dry with a lasting lightly citrus flavor into the aftertaste. The body was medium with a moderate carbonation and a creamy mouthfeel. The warming after consumption was moderate and will let you know that the beer contains a fair amount of alcohol. The drinkability of this one is phenomenal, it went down smooth and easy, never offending.

750 ml paper wrapped bottle. Date on outer paper says something like bottled on 30 Dec 2005.

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2006 21:48:31 | More by GCBrewingCo

superspak

Michigan

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 ml bottle into chalice, no bottle dating. Pours cloudy golden orange color with a fairly dense 1-2 finger white head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Some decent spotty lacing clings to the glass, with a fair amount of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of pear, lemon, apricot, honey, grape, caramel, herbal, floral, earth, and light spiciness. Fairly nice and balanced aromas with good strength. Taste of pear, apricot, grape, lemon, herbal, honey, earth, pepper, and light yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of grape, apple, pear, herbal, honey, caramel, earth, and light yeast spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Very nice malty flavor balance; with minimal cloying sweetness. Medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly slick and creamy mouthfeel. Overall this is a very nice tripel. Nice flavor balance and complexity; and very smooth and easy to sip on. I would imagine that his was an older bottle though, and would like to try a younger vintage. Quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 01:36:39 | More by superspak

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.48/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pale yellow color, leaning toward clearish in presentation. Big head rises very high and takes a minute to settle, thereafter has good staying-power. Laces in dripping clumps on the glass. Aroma is quite yeasty with a somewhat bitter breadfuit tone, not sharp as much as long-lasting. Body is light and made to seem lighter because of high carbonation, similar to the Canaster Winterscotch and something that distracts me. Flavor has some real sharpness to it early, verges on phenolic in flinty metallic properties, with hops and and the base malt seemingly meant to give tastes of white grape. Good Tripel drying at the end. I still find the gassy nature offputting and it hurts drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2006 00:38:19 | More by ADR

Crosling

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Signature Belgian look, a dark golden body with a large, frothy head of foam that leaves spotty lacing and lasts well. Nose is the weakest part of the ale, but still shows some nice notes of herbs, along with a variety of yeast derived from notes. Flavor is brilliantly balanced, full of subtlety and nuance. Mouth feel is silky and wet, and glides down the throat. Very nice ale. The Belgians do it the best, period.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2008 20:09:09 | More by Crosling

claspada

New Jersey

3.8/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured golden in color with an inviting honey like aroma which is quite pleasant.
Initial taste is of honey as well, but that could just be candy or cane sugar sweetness.
Mouthfeel is thick, but not cloying, yet the beer finished quite dry and crisp.
The way the beer goes from sweet to dry so quickly is quite heavenly and makes it extremely drinkable and dangerous... good, not overly memorable in any dimension, but very good overall.

Serving type: on-tap

08-23-2010 17:54:43 | More by claspada

ktrillionaire

Florida

4.63/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bottled 30 Dec 2005. Bottle alleges best within two years of bottling. I guess we are about three years late to the party.

Birthday beer for Olsen.

G - Tripel Karmeliet tulip

A - It pours a nice peachy-golden hue with small flecks of sediment and a big head that recedes to a persistent sheet of micro-bubbles.

S - The smell is surprisingly bright; expressive notes of pear sparkling cider, caramel, creme brulee and also honey.

T - It is an unusual brew; quite rich. It has a strong honey character but not honey sweetness, with a buttery nuance and suggestions of fresh bread, peppered with small hints of caramel. An especially delicious treat.

M - The feel is great; it totally enhances the brew.

D - I am stunned that this brew has kept as phenomenally as it has. I am actively seeking a fresh one.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 18:28:08 | More by ktrillionaire

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into Chimay goblet. Big full white head. The carbonation was big upon opening and it must have stirred up the yeast, as it emptied into goblet with plenty of sediment. Golden color. Looks as it should. Fully apparent white lacing. Attractive.
Spicy pale malt aroma. Sweet, mild fruit and a touch of alcohol. Nice, but not exemplary.
Soft flavors that are reasonable complex. The pale malt flavors blend nicely with the yeasty spices. Enough hops to hold down the sweetness. Alcohol is held in check, yet provides gentle warming. The blending of these flavors is what makes this stand out. (Oooo, there it is, alcohol straight to the brain - how does it doe that?). Interesting mix of drying and bittering as both are experienced enjoyably.
Extremely fine carbonation with ample amount offering softness with slight prickliness. Moderately light body. Feel is done well.
These bottle may have a touch of age to it, as the background seems to hold a slight oxidation. Fortunately I got this one in enough time to prevent loss of all the good stuff. This is a well done tripel - one of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2010 02:05:44 | More by garymuchow

Sunnanek

Sweden

4.4/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The pour is all about the white compact enormous head, very thick. After a while the liquid rises as the head settles; clear golden with microscopical small bubbles. Really nice lacings.

S: Yeast and funk, Belgian style. Rich fruityness; pears, oranges, ripe red apples. Some grassy notes along side with flowery notes. Very complex.

T: Sweet, almost syrupy malts. But then Belgian yeast and spices. Cloves and grass. The hops are a bit fresher than in most Belgian Ales; something that's a good thing in this beer. Bitter as well as floral. Sour. Still complex.

M: Sour long aftertaste. Body is creamy full while carbonation is rich but very smooth.

O: A very nice and complex Tripel.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 17:01:22 | More by Sunnanek