Xtra Gold Tripel - Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

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

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

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

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

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

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: bottle from Cpt. Lawrence, Elmsford, NY

Poured into a Tripel Karmeliet oversized tulip glass, a clear golden color with a full 3-4 fingers of frothy white head, that sank to a thick layer within a few minutes, leaving sheets of lacing on the glass; lively carbonation. Flowery aroma, sweet corn, toasted grains. Taste reflects the aroma, sweet, pale malts, corn, toasted biscuits, stone fruits, herb; notes of chlorine as it warmed. Crisp, clean mouthfeel, quite drying, light-medium body, quite drinkable, but a bit hard to finish. Keep on ice, or share it with a friend!

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2012 16:56:48 | More by Rifugium

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is light golden with a large, fluffy white head. Good retention and lacing.

Smell is quite hoppy- the amarillo hops jump right out. Quite citrusy, orange, tangerine and grapefruit. A surprising smell for a tripel, but that is why it is billed as an "American Tripel". Some yeast is there as well, some bready malt. Nice smell.

Taste is like the nose. Hop-focused, tangerine and grapefruit, with a bready malt base and a bit of yeast. The interplay between bittern and sweet leaves it fairly neutral, a little on the sweet side. Pretty tasty.

Full bodied, moderate carbonation, a bit oily and bready.

Overall, quite good. An interesting beer. I find it a bit hard to call it a tripel, really, since it is so hop focused (at least my bottle is). Still tasty.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 20:12:18 | More by jrenihan

bnewall3

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I want to start by saying I normally don't like tripels because of the clove and banana notes.

But this is another story because of the american hops. For some reason going into this I thought it was going to be like their year round Liquid Gold which has all those qualities I don't like, but boy was I wrong

Served in Tulip Glass

app- golden yellow with a very thick carbonated head, about 2.5 inches that takes a good few minutes to dissipate.

smell- this is where I smell the tripel. Floral, clove, a little grassy, and a vague hint of lemon at the finish.

taste- not too too carbonated which I love. Up front you get the malty sweetness and the slight clove is evident throughout, but the slightness is the key. The hops are up front more than I thought with a slight pine throughout and it is what makes this beer a 4 out of 5 for me.

Overall- I dont know if they are the first to do this, but its my first american tripel and the Captain does it again. I seriously love everything I've had from them except liquid gold. First tripel I could say I really liked, almost loved

Serving type: bottle

06-26-2012 04:01:19 | More by bnewall3

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.03/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours an elegant golden yellow with an inch of fluffy white froth that laces. I cooled it down briefly and would say it's about 55ish degrees, which helps to bring forward the beer's big breadiness and a floral hoppiness. The ethanol cuts through the nose, but mingles well with the beer's sweetness.
The taste is exquisitely hoppy with a clean, lingering sweetness followed by an extended, dry bitterness. Towards the end of drinking, and after most of the beer's incredible carbonation has burned off, a lot more of the malt comes forward...but the alcohol will still melt your eyebrows off. I'm pleasantly surprised by how this beer drinks and it's definitely a tasty tripel.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2012 23:03:55 | More by ThePorterSorter

rlee1390

Indiana

3.88/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Clear yellow orange, two finger head with some carbonation.

S-Wheat, spices, some grass as well.

T-Starts with a nice blend of grass, lemon and spice with hints of bitterness. As it warms spice dominates.

M-Light in bodied, well carbonated.

O-The problem is that spices starts to dominate and the hops are not really there for this American version.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 23:53:04 | More by rlee1390

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

25.4 oz bottle was poured into a tulip glass. This bottle was picked up a few months back at Bierkraft after volunteering for the B4B.

Appearance: WOW!!!! Two finger of white puffy head. Golden yellow with great clarity and good sight of lots of bubbles coming up through the glass. The head has finally reduced to a small layer and left some nice lacing on the glass.

Smell: grapefruit, tangerine, and more citrus on the nose. Belgian candy, bready notes, and sweet malts in the background.

Taste: super citrus flavors, apples, pears, and some sweetness from the malts and Belgian candy. Bitterness in the end from the massive hop bomb, but good. A little alcohol in there too.

Mouthfeel: light to medium bodied, medium to high carbonation, dry, some lingering bitterness in a good way, dry, a little boozy, and very interesting on the palate.

Overall: Usually with tripels you expect the apples, pears, and Belgian candy. This is insanely hopped and you seem to miss out on the characteristics due to the hops, but they are all still there.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 04:32:51 | More by Flounder57

flagmantho

Washington

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 22oz bomber into a tulip. Been looking forward to this one for a while!

Appearance: nice golden hue with a touch of haze and a light effervescence. Head is two thick fingers of pillowy white foam. I like it.

Smell: interesting aroma reminiscent of a hoppy saison. There's light malt with plenty of funk, and a bright, acidic citrus coming out which could be hop-derived. Interesting.

Taste: nice malty flavor with a bit of an orchard fruit component. There's also a nice hop contribution which is fruity and citrusy in nature. The funkiness of the aroma is only lightly present in the flavor. A bit out-of-the-box, but tasty nonetheless.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a giant carbonation and resulting mammoth creaminess. Ba-dow!

Overall: I like this beer quite a lot. It's not a traditional tripel by any means, but I am really cottoning to it. I just wish it were more readily available in my area.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 00:21:05 | More by flagmantho

vonnegut21

New York

4.23/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one was a gusher upon opening. Pours a cloudy golden hue with a huge white head. The nose is spicy with hints of hops and light bready malt. The first sit is excellent. The hops really yield themselves nicely to the backbone tripel flavors. Overall this is a very tasty interpretation of a tripel and drinks very easy for a 10% beer. Recommended for a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 15:50:56 | More by vonnegut21

homebrew311

Illinois

2.73/5  rDev -33.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: This one is a gusher! White foam everywhere. After all is cleaned up, this pours clear gold with loads of white head, tons of lacing.

S: the nose is not pleasant, notes of cat piss, musty pine and sawdust

T: the taste isn't as offensive as the nose, I get lots of lemon zest, some sourdough bread, and mild funk

MF: high carbonation, medium body

O: Wasn't too impressed by this one, perhaps it was past its prime but it was not a good representation of the Tripel style

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 07:08:57 | More by homebrew311

TheCorkStopsHere

Connecticut

4.4/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I opened the bottle of Xtra Gold on my coffee table, turned around to grab a glass and within a minute the carbonation had overflowed the bottle and onto the table. The bubbles continued to foam out and over the bottle and make a horrible mess of my coffee table.

The rest of the experience with the Xtra Gold was great! Very flavorful, complex, and delicious! The best Captain Lawrence brew I've had yet!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 21:13:49 | More by TheCorkStopsHere

harrymel

Washington

3.63/5  rDev -11%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottled: unk

EXPLOSIVE!!!! Cracked the crown on this and nearly half the bottle came flooding out all over the counter. Brutally either overcarbonated or infected. Anyway, after about five minutes of letting this one air out, I poured a half glass - lovely golden with a fine white foam atop. Slightly herbal hops, some nice sourish tones (nearly tart apple with hint of lime). Tastes like a tripel with refined tones of yeast and a really pleasant lees creaminess. medium bodied with lighter carb now. Nice beer. Wish it wasn't a brutal gusher.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2012 15:11:54 | More by harrymel

FeDUBBELFIST

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml to tulip. Purchased at the CdC release earlier in the year. Sampled 3/18/12.

A: Massive pop upon uncapping. The eggshell colored cap rises to 3 fingers and deflates slowly over a period of a few minutes. A frothy lump remains in the middle and a perfect web of lacing circles the entire glass. The body is golden orange and magnifyingly clear. Lots of carbonation to be seen. Lacing remains proficient.

S: Strong fruity notes of Fiji apple and Bartlett pear with a peachy influence in the background. A cracker-like grain provides the canvas for the hops and yeast to be the focal point. Somewhat rustic. There is a hint of soap and a metallic edge that I'm not fond of, but the rest of the aroma is great.

T: The flavor takes a sudden tropical turn and the peach is even more noticeable. Fruity with a complimenting dusty, rustic nature that works quite well. The hop selection is brilliant. As is the choice in yeast. I particularly enjoy how the estery profile has been reinvented with this Tripel.

M: Medium full with a thick, engaging mouthfeel. The effervescence from the first pour was on the light end, but a softer second pour corrected that problem easily. Sweet from font to middle with a drying backend. Wonderful again.

O: This beer really impressed me. An American Tripel?!?! Would have never guessed...but I LOVE the confidence!

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2012 18:45:06 | More by FeDUBBELFIST

KTCamm

New Jersey

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

Poured from bomber+ into a pint glass.

Pours cloudy pale yellow with immense overflowing white foam. Gets everywhere. Belgian nose, some candy sugar too. Yeasty. Funky. Taste is a funky blend - citrus (tartness), orange, interesting hop close. Tang resides. Smooths over time.

Complex taste, quite good.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2012 16:52:28 | More by KTCamm

Dope

Massachusetts

3.55/5  rDev -13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A: A cloudy pale golden-orange. Enormous frothy white head. Retention is excellent as the head sticks around for an almost annoying amount of time. Decent lacing too. It's so highly carbonated that the bottle itself is bubbling over after a few minutes of sitting open.

S: Wonderful orange and lemon aroma backed with lots of tropical fruit. Mango, pineapple, apricot and peaches perhaps? Hint of belgian yeast with some banana. Quite sweet, almost honey-like. Great crisp, fresh fruity smell.

T: Up front, lots of tropical fruit and honey. Followed by a big yeast hit and then it's all funk. Quite tart and extremely drying. It's a shame, the appearance and smell is so nice, but it turns out to be a funky mess. I was expecting more of a nice hoppy tripel.

M: Excessive carbonation. Tart and drying.

O: Not a fan of funky beers and I drainpoured it. Really a bummer because it seemed like it was going to be halfway decent. If you like funky beers you will probably love it.

Serving type: bottle

02-29-2012 05:23:16 | More by Dope

JoEBoBpr

Missouri

4/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Captain Lawrence Xtra Gold American Tripel Ale

Poured into a tulip glass from a 750ml bottle.

Pours a slightly clear nice straw golden color with a nice 1 inch white head that has great retention. It seems to stick around forever with some nice sticky lacing notes left behind. (4.0)

Aroma starts off with some earthy grain notes. Bread and some slight toasty wheat. There is also a nice slightly citric hop note with some refreshing orange juice notes. There are some slight spice notes as well as some Belgian-like banana and clove notes from the yeast. Quite refreshing. (4.0)

Flavor starts off with earthy grain, followed by some nice soft and sweet bread notes and then some toasty bread notes. There is an underlain slight citric hop note to the beer that is carried well by some nice spice and clove notes. There is some nice bready malt notes that work very well with traditional yeast notes and have a nice slight citrus hop backend that makes the beer quite refreshing. Mouthfeel is clean and crisp with some nice fluffy carbonation. (4.0)(4.0)

Pretty good Tripel in the American style. I hadn’t had one of these in a while and this was one of my gateway styles. Very nice to see it still alive. (4.0)

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2012 20:08:44 | More by JoEBoBpr

Florida9

Illinois

2.98/5  rDev -27%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

A: Cloudy gold-yellow in color. Forms a fizzy white head that dissipates quickly.

S: Musty and almost sour. Smells like a cheap white wine.

T: Tart with the flavor of green apples and earth. Again, somewhat musty with a flavor I can only describe as "dirty" on the finish. Finishes quickly.

M: On the thinner side of medium and horribly overcarbonated.

O: Possible bad bottle? Don't know, but it's not as if this beer was bad - it was certainly drinkable - but it's not as if it was all that great either.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2012 02:33:32 | More by Florida9

spicelab

Australia

4.2/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bomber generously shared by MrKennedy with mulder1010 and I.

Hazed apricot with a healthy white head that laces well.

Nose is an intriguing coming together of tropical and sour citrus elevated by sweaty, savoury hop character. Bright pithy notes and spicy herbs make it rather busy, but it all seems to gel well.

Sour citrus, cut grass and bitter pith leads the taste, with just enough sweetness from pear and clove ester notes and some pale malts. A touch of medicinal, plasticy character mars an otherwise excellent palate.

Quite light-bodied for the ABV. Moderate carbonation and tartness with a suitably dry finish.

Impressively constructed and complex Tripel which I would definitely buy again if the opportunity presented.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 08:27:31 | More by spicelab

superspak

Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle into chalice, no bottle date. Violent gusher upon opening, but I did not lose very much of the beer. Pours hazy golden straw color with a nice fluffy 2 finger off white head with fantastic retention and reduces to a thick cap that lasts. Some decent lacing clings to the glass, with plenty of carbonation streaming up. Aromas of huge lemon zest, clove, orange zest, pear, pepper, grass, light biscuit, and yeast spices. Damn nice big citrus forward aromas. Taste of big lemon zest, pear, pineapple, apricot, orange, pepper, clove, grass, biscuit, tart grain, and spicy yeast. Lingering notes of citrus, pepper, pear, yeast spices, tart grain, and clove on the finish for a while. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a fairly creamy and slightly slick mouthfeel that drinks pretty easily for being 10%. Alcohol is incredibly well hidden; with hardly any warming on the finish noticed. Overall this is definitely an excellent Tripel; with big fruitiness and nice flavor balance.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 03:34:50 | More by superspak

schlimenhaumer

New York

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

Poured from the bottle into a Delirium tulip at low altitude. This one unexpectedly exploded on opening, but fortunately the majority stayed in the bottle.

A: Pours a hazy dark honey color with a huge prickly white head that leaves a bit of spotty lacing on the glass. There's a noticeable amount of yeast in suspension on this one. Looks appealing.

S: Prominent sour fruit notes up front reminiscent of sour grapes come along with funky yeast notes. Faint citric hops in the background.

T: Starts with the complex yeast notes you'd expect of a Belgian tripel, then gives way to the sour grape-like character from the nose. Hop notes add some nice bitterness on the finish, and I get a bit of sweet apples on the aftertaste. This is unlike any tripel I've tasted before, and it seems very appropriate of Captain Lawrence to label it an "American Tripel" -- while it's unique, it's very well balanced.

M: Medium-bodied with some prickly carbonation and a cleansing, dry finish. Very nice.

D: This is an excellent example of a beer that respects its Belgian roots while adding a unique American interpretation. It's dangerously easy to drink considering the ABV and the flavors will keep you coming back for more. Highly recommended despite the relatively high price-point.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2012 21:10:47 | More by schlimenhaumer