Xtra Gold Tripel - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

yeastsipper

California

3.8/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Bottle received as an extra in trade with fogdog. Much appreciated.

Beer looks the color of grapefruit peel, a yellow with a touch of cloudy pink. Two very dominant smells - the hops and honey. It smells almost apple juice like. Some apple, lemon and grapefruit notes as well. Interesting flavor - not sure I love it - but interesting. At first, you get the apples and sweetness of the tripel, followed by the bitterness of the hops, which linger for a few seconds before falling off. Same flavors as the nose - tart citrus and apples, even some tropical fruits. As the beer warms, the tripel style becomes more prominent, the hops less. Nice mouthfeel.

Interesting beer. I like it, but don't 'love' it. I put this with Cali-Belgique and Le Freak. For me, Le Freak is solidly the best, with Xtra Gold way ahead of Stone Cali-Belgique.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2009 06:33:49 | More by yeastsipper

lakersfan16

Alaska

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

05-22-2013 03:57:53 | More by lakersfan16

geocool

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2%

05-20-2013 01:14:37 | More by geocool

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

05-17-2013 13:04:03 | More by InspectorBob

jkane101

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -2%

05-15-2013 00:55:32 | More by jkane101

smakawhat

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from the bottle into a tulip glass. Much thanks to DaSolomon.

This is easily the most clear tripel I've seen. Golden brass yellow, even with a touch of haze showing off a perfect middle column of rising carbonation in the middle, with green hue like edges as well. Big rocking white head with even pinhead bubbles throughout and lots of staying power. Real impressive looking beer.

Real unique nose. Candy like aromas of grass, but not in a Belgian sweet way. Airy and light with a bit of powdered strawberry. Clean. Solid, but doesn't give me the impression this is a tripel.

Palate fills with a crisp wine like refreshment. Almost too crisp in feel as it doesn't have much malt sweetness or dense body. Wine like green grape appeal, and a spicy character. Very hop forward for a tripel almost too much, and the hops actually dominate. Warmth kicks in with multiple sips but not an overpowering alcohol heat.

Overall this is a well made beer, but this isn't the ultimate tripel for myself. Wouldn't turn this down though for a second, and its an interesting take on the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 17:43:27 | More by smakawhat

metter98

New York

4.06/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

A: The beer is clear light golden yellow in color and has a moderate amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that gradually died down, consistently leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface and some lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Light aromas of citrus and tropical fruit hops are present in the nose along with some hints of peppery spices.
T: The taste is similar to the smell but the citrus and tropical fruit flavors aren't quite as prominent. Notes pepper spices and hints of candi sugar are present.
M: It feels light- to medium-bodied and quite dry on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This is not your typical type of tripel and is quite interesting as it has some hop aromas and flavors that you would expect to find in an IPA (but without any bitterness).

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 01:14:02 | More by metter98

GennyCreamAle

New York

4.75/5  rDev +16.4%

04-05-2013 01:56:48 | More by GennyCreamAle

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Semi gazed pale gold color with a thin bright white head. No freshness date on bottle. Dried fruits, Apple's pears, honey dew, distinct pale malt scent.

A lil bland for such a big beer but incredible deniability at its strength. Tastes a bit old like some of the flavors are faded but the beer itself is very smooth.I could be wrong though. Initial sweetness along with a bit of spiciness. Dry finish with a very mellow alcohol bite. Reminds me of golden monkey a bit in its simplicity but it's dangerous drinkability . On that note though I do like it better as there's a bit more balance rather than the super dry after taste that golden monkey has. This beer leaves a faint belgian like sweetness lingering in the mouth reminding you of the style.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 00:52:08 | More by jtierney89

Kuromaru

Virginia

3.5/5  rDev -14.2%

03-28-2013 18:28:59 | More by Kuromaru

rfgetz

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

03-25-2013 13:18:47 | More by rfgetz

BGsWo22

New York

2/5  rDev -51%

03-23-2013 18:50:23 | More by BGsWo22

ksimons

New York

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

03-10-2013 23:11:21 | More by ksimons

cozmo

New York

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

03-10-2013 18:25:56 | More by cozmo

Newbiebeer

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -2%

02-23-2013 19:09:02 | More by Newbiebeer

Snarf103

4/5  rDev -2%

02-12-2013 05:34:00 | More by Snarf103

jiffymon

New York

3.75/5  rDev -8.1%

02-11-2013 21:55:33 | More by jiffymon

MadScientist

New York

4.24/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A: A medium amber with good clarity. The head is white and rocky pouring about a finger then slowly settling over a minute to a thin cap.

S: The aroma is dominate by a balance of hops, malt and Belgian yeast. A moderate hops aroma that is citrus and pineapple. The malt initially has some Pilsner malt character that blends with the hops to give it that German Pilsner character brings moderate caramel sweetness. There is a moderately-light Belgian yeast character of orange fruit esters and peppery phenols.

T: All the same characters in the aroma nicely balanced. There is a moderate hops bitterness with moderate citrus and pineapple hops flavors. The Pilsner malt is character about balances the hops bitterness and the peppery yeast favor are more pronounced being about equal with the other flavors. The alcohol is noticeable adding a bit of sweetness. The balance is somewhat towards the bitter. The finish is off dry and some bitterness in the aftertaste but not lingering like an IPA.

M: Medium-light bodied with a moderately-strong carbonation. Moderately creamy.

O: A good Belgian Triple hit all the notes for style, which in BJCP doesn't say you have to use Continental hops. My bottles got some age on it which diminishes the aggressive hops character the brew may have been going for but Triples age so nicely.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 00:47:58 | More by MadScientist

sirsteve42

New York

4/5  rDev -2%

01-12-2013 05:03:59 | More by sirsteve42

gratefulbeerhead

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +4.2%

01-10-2013 23:24:44 | More by gratefulbeerhead

Archemedies

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -2%

01-03-2013 02:35:42 | More by Archemedies

Treb0R

Oregon

4/5  rDev -2%

12-13-2012 16:29:40 | More by Treb0R

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml bomber into a tulip- pours a clear yellow color with two fingers of fluffy white head, decent retention, a disappointing lack of the traditional lacing.

Smell is wonderful- very pleasant combination of Amarillo hops (floral, slightly citrusy), some yeast and a little sugar.

Taste is a little heavier on the yeast than the smell would indicate- however it's very nice. Earthy hop flavor up front (interesting) mixed with the yeast, followed by sugar, to finish with a mix of hops and yeast (again, a little more of an accent on the yeast).

Mouthfeel is nice but perhaps not traditional- lighter mouthfeel (medium light), moderate carbonation, not any resin but an earthy feel. This tripel is out of the ordinary but they do specify that it's an "American Tripel" and not trying to imitate the Belgian tradition. A lovely beer, nothing wonderfully sophisticated except how hidden the alcohol is, but very nice to drink.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2012 02:03:22 | More by Hopdaemon39

imperialking

Illinois

4/5  rDev -2%

11-13-2012 19:28:37 | More by imperialking

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a hazy golden-yellow with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down fairly slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of sweet grainy malts, grapefruit and other citrus smells, lemon zest, Belgian yeast, spices, coriander, a bit of banana, and a hint of booze.

T - Starts off with a mix of grainy malts, grapefruit and orange hops, lemon zest, and some coriander. Through the middle, more Belgian yeast flavors come through with some other spices and a bit of banana alongside some fruity esters. The finish is a mix of sweet grainy malts, lemon zest, Belgian yeast, some spices, fruity esters, and a bit of booze.

M - Medium-plus bodied with heavy carbonation. Feels smooth with a dry and estery finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nice complex Tripel with great balance.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 08:38:36 | More by ngeunit1