Tripel Threat - Cambridge Brewing Company

mdaschaf

Washington

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a clear orange color with a one finger white head on top. Not much retention, leaving just a ring of foam around the top. Thin, sporadic lacing.

S: Banana, honey, some sugary sweetness, very light spices. There is some light Belgian yeast in the middle. A little bit of an acetyl/buttery aroma.

T: Light Belgian yeast and spice upfront, some pepper and cloves. Banana and doughy malt dominate the middle and finish.

M: Medium bodied, slightly tingle to the carbonation, but seems about right.

O: Pretty cool, as this was the first American made Belgian beer. First time I have had a CBC beer in a bottle, glad I picked this one up.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 03:32:49 | More by mdaschaf

phantomwyse

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Pours out a perfectly clear bright copper. I mean, we’re talking newly minted penny, here. Head builds to about a finger, mostly of larger milk-like bubbles that fades quickly.

S: Smiles of fruits up front, apple skins, pears, lemon zest, white grapes juice. Hiding behind the fruit is a mild hay like yeastiness. Matzoh.

T: Sweet with understated fruits. Honey mixing with green apple, white grapes, touch of citrus. There is a moderate malt profile in the middle, bland crackers, Triscuits, matzoh. Again, there is a bit of a yeast presence in the form of some mild earthiness like wet grass.

M: Medium moving to light bodied, crisp, with a dry finish.

O: As the label states, this beer was first brewed in 1990 and was the first American tripel-style beer (so CBC claims, and who am I to argue?). While it’s certainly a good example of an American take on a Belgian style, it could use some updating. The fruit profile is great, however I would look for some more malt character. Not a lot, just a little bit to make it a more round flavor. Much in the same category as another Boston Beer -- Harpoon IPA, awesome in 1986 I'm sure (I was one), but in the middle of the pack these days.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2012 03:19:09 | More by phantomwyse

Phelps

Arizona

3.48/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Batch 1, bottled November 2011. According to the label, this was initially brewed in 1990 by CBC head brewer Darryl Goss, and at the time was the first Belgian style brew EVER commercially produced in the U.S. Goss has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, and a portion of the sales go to ALS research. Poured into a tulip.

Bright and clear as a gold brick, capped with an inch-thick, merengue-like layer of white foam. The bubbles descend rapidly and don’t leave behind much in the way of lacing.

A big, musty grain character is matched with smashed pears, apple and some flowers. A small metallic note is I there as well.

The musty, lagery grain dips off in the flavor, replaced with bigger Belgian yeast notes. Sticky-sweet pear syrup, alcohol, candy sugar, apple juice, maybe even some white pepper. Pretty sweet throughout, and not as complex as I’d like.

Mild, massaging carbonation breaks the syrupy, medium-bodied brew into the tiniest amount of fizz. Alcohol is in there, but isn’t big, numbing the tongue a little.

As the first example of an American-made Belgian, Tripel Threat isn’t bad. Perhaps a little too sweet, but the big ABV is hidden well and the flavors are nice. Plus, the money for the bottle goes to a good cause.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2012 01:46:01 | More by Phelps

DrJay

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Rich gold, almost orange in colour with a lingering collar of whitish foam, some lacing. Aromas of bread crust and bananas, slightly phenolic, faint alcohol and oranges. Moderate bitterness that was sort of hidden behind sugary sweetness. Mild alcohol, bananas and pears, slight orange zest character, bread and malt. Decent texture, mild warmth with modest carbonation. The body was a little heavier than I expected, but still not out of character. Quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 20:20:43 | More by DrJay

jsanford

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a Globe Glass. Batch 01, bottled 11/11

A - Pours a glowing amber-gold with a creamy white head that settles to a nice ring and pillowy haze.
S - Very sweet, buttery aromas of toasted grain, honey, banana, and candied orange peel with some Belgian-style yeast esters.
T - Again, fairly buttery, with notes of honey, banana, ripe pear, white pepper, bread dough, and yeast. Not bad, but not as clean as I like my Tripels to be, and a bit too sweet for my taste.
M - Smooth and slightly syrupy, with a medium-thin mouthfeel and spritzy carbonation.
O - Decent enough, but nowhere near the complex and delicious examples from Belgium (or Canada if we're talkin' Unibroue).

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 00:18:56 | More by jsanford

gfreed

Massachusetts

2.58/5  rDev -33.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

This one lacks everything I normally find attractive in a good tripel: salty hamminess, bitter oranges, flat body, and an ugly, scabby-blobby head. Instead, this is sweet, bubbly and pretty with a foamy white hat that lasts for about three seconds. It's easy to drink and, despite its nearly 10% ABV, goes down without any sting or edge. No fun. It's a training-wheel tripel; in fact, it's more like a weak dubble. Blah.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2012 21:46:59 | More by gfreed

BeTheBall

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a cloudy amber color with some nice foam. The smell was yeasty to some degree with a fruity over-tone. The taste was similar, less sweet than LFdM, not as dry as Westmalle. The flavor is tasty, dry, a touch tart, a touch of fruit, and just easy to drink. Mouthfeel is nice all the way down. Overall, this is one of my favorite American tripels.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 14:31:54 | More by BeTheBall

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

It sure looks like a real tripel. Half inch velvet foamed white head. Hazy golden yellow body with lots of effervescence. The smell is divine with fruits and spice and honey, and a little malt. The taste reflects the smell but is a little milder than it hinted. Despite the higher alcohol I'd say it's well hidden. The body is medium-light weight which would make this one of the lighter tripels I've had. Although not a Belgian champion it's still a fine tripel.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2012 09:35:26 | More by MoreThanWine

rab53

Massachusetts

2.95/5  rDev -23.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

Picked this one up at the local bottle shop along with The Audacity of Hops. I enjoyed The Great Pumpkin, so I'll give Cambridge another go.

Pours a deep golden yellow with small white head that fades quickly. Smells decently tripel-ish, sweet malts and moderate yeastiness. Little bit of spice in the background. Tastes truly average. Nowhere near the complexity of true Belgian tripels, but a step or two above other US imitators. Flavor is one-note sweet. Carbonation level is sub par, given the style's typical effervescence. Almost flat after a few sips. Not a bad buy, but I'm hesitant on future CBC purchases at the $8/bomber price tag.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2012 01:35:07 | More by rab53

BeerResearcher

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22 oz brown bottle. Batch #1 bottled November 2011.
Served in a Chimay goblet. At first I smelled and tasted it cold. Then let it warm for 15 minutes.
Pours a hazy honey gold with a somewhat fast-fading snow-white head along with a moderate amount of patchy and trailing lacing.
Smells of green cut wood and grain barn blend with caramel malt, lemons, banana, spices, wild flowers and resinous hops. A distant whiff of white rum lingers in the distance.
The flavors are complex. Honey, wheat bread dough, Myers lemons, clove, banana, orange zest, white rum and a blend of mild herbs weave around and blend nicely together as it warms.
This is a well-rounded and fluid brew with a slow and gradual warming effect.
Could go very well with a variety of cheeses, creamy and rich poultry dishes, or desserts like bread pudding, creme brulee, or rich vanilla ice cream.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2011 00:52:28 | More by BeerResearcher

Dope

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: A cloudy golden pour with a nice fluffy white head. Good lacing and retention.

S: Strong belgian yeast, lots of pear, apple, lemons and some black pepper.

T: Again, tons of belgian yeast. Very yeasty and estery providing a big zest. The citrus and a little pear are nice and crisp as well.

M: Medium body, a little drying.

O: Very interesting tripel. Very strong yeast and fruit esters make for a mouth warping experience. Fruity and tasty in general.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2011 00:22:31 | More by Dope

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.93/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a large, but controlled, head (about three fingers wide). Dark gold color with a light hue of orange. Hazy. Light spotty (and streaky) lace.

Clean, almost lemony pale malt aroma. Very mild spiciness in the background. I detect dark cherries and raspberries as well.

Starts with a pale malt where the alcohol warmth is pronounced. Lots of orange and clove (particularly strong in the aftertaste, which reminds me of the aftertaste from Grand Marnier). Plums and apricots complete the flavor profile. The low carbonation balances the lighter-than-expected body. Very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 00:05:08 | More by smcolw

beerbiatchMD

Maine

3.73/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

22 oz bottle into a wine glass.

A: Deep gold with a slight hue of orange. Excellent clarity. Small amount of bright white head, fizzy lacing.

S: definite Belgian spice up front. I get a bit of pepper, yeasty hay, and estery aromas.

T: zesty Belgian taste up front, a fair amount of alcohol in there as well. Not quite as complex as I've come to expect and enjoy in Belgian tripels.

M: crisp and dry with good carbonation. Light bodied.

O: a good Belgian-style tripel though I prefer Allagash's triples. Would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 18:38:56 | More by beerbiatchMD

seanwhite

Massachusetts

3.9/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is the second bottle release by Cambridge Brewing Company, a great brewpub near Boston/MA that produces a ton of great beers. This is a replication of their tripel from years ago, that was proclaimed to be the first tripel produced in the US.

A: Pours a crystal clear deep golden color with a huge white head that slowly dissipates but never really leaves.
S: Smells of sweet candy sugar and honey like malts, sweet apples, orange zest, light pepper, light yeasty aromas.

T: Taste is sweet with honey like malts, sweet sugars, light pomme fruits countered with a peppery Belgian yeasty funkiness.

M: Medium body, spirited level of carbonation with a sweet almost sticky mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2011 17:41:29 | More by seanwhite

Shagtastic

Indiana

4.43/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to cbeer for this one! Batch number 1 poured into my brand new Chimay Chalice.

Appearance: I love the dark golden color of this one. Pours with a solid head and leaves pretty good lacing.

Smell: I'm not too sold on the spices. I was hoping for a bit more here but its still not too disappointing

Taste: This is where the beer shines. I get a bit of citrus from the beer and then a strong caramel on the end. The spices here really help increase the drinkability instead of hurting it like some others.

Mouthfeel: Fantastic carbonation and even with the big alcohol it is masked pretty well and pretty easy to drink.

Overall: This is a fantastic beer. I love the fact that it was the first Belgian beer commercially produced and if I was able to buy this I'd hop on this pretty frequently. High recommendation on this one from me.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2011 00:55:28 | More by Shagtastic

bpk59

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Shared a bottle of '11 Batch 01 with my wife - poured into an Ommegang tulip.

Beer is a clear golden honey color. No head at all - interesting (unexpected) for a Tripel. No yeast at all - I don't think this was bottle conditioned.

Smell is ... not great - funky Belgian yeast and spices, and that's it. My wife got some light citrus.

Taste is in stark contrast to smell - exceptional. This is an interesting tripel in terms of taste. Light fruits and citrus at the forefront, honey and Belgian spice in the slightly bitter finish. These elements combine nicely, this is delicious.

Mouthfeel is great as well - light bodied, adequate carbonation. Very crisp. I wish there was a thick, creamy head on this though. Oh well.

Overall, this is a mixed bag but the highs of the excellent taste and mouthfeel are enough make me forget the lows of the smell. It's a light, crisp, refreshing take on a tripel and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2011 00:47:17 | More by bpk59

CheezyBlaster

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Want a tripel without the cloy?? This stuff is for you. Nose is spicy, lemon, funk, and a little nip of the funk. The farmhouse backbone is there too. I enjoyed the sniff.

Great medium and crispy body for a tripel!! Trips are one of my least favorite styles, because they can just grab you with all that sweetness and warmth and stick to the beating, but I had to get this because I love CBC, and I'm not disappointed. That being said, I couldn't drink more than a serving of this. Nice sweet potassium fruit flavors and funk with a constant light spicy nipping. Good for the season too. I'm blushing already. Good work, CBC!

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2011 00:25:43 | More by CheezyBlaster

perrymarcus

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle served in a snifter.
batch no. 1 / bottled nov 2011

pours a clear burnished gold while yielding a relatively short-lived 3/4" white head that recedes into a collar around the glass. light patches of lacing.

nose doesn't leap out and grab me but does offers some nice notes of fruit, yeast, and light spice. good, but as far as tripels go it doesn't compete with the upper echelon.

wow, taste far exceeds the nose. banana, apple, pear, some citrus, spice, a bit of candi sugar... bottom line: delicious. medium bodied mouthfeel with medium carbonation.

overall, a fantastic triple, extremely flavorful and tasty. highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 03:45:47 | More by perrymarcus

OldIronLungs

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a RR goblet a light honey color with a few fingers of fizzy had that fall to a thin film.

Nose is light bubble gum fruits and a touch of Belgian yeast, alcohol and sourness.

Nice crisp carbonation and smooth body - caramel malts, bright fruit, and a hint of Belgian yeast spice.

Overall really nicely executed tripel.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2011 00:56:24 | More by OldIronLungs

crusian

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle from awesome girlfriend from the brewery.
Pours a very light mustard yellow with a finger of head.
Nose has some lemon, wheat, coriander, and Belgian yeast notes.
Taste is a nice front lemon smooth across the middle and the lemon fades finishing with a sweetness and a hint of figs. Interesting. Based on the nose, I didn't think I was going to like this, but much better than it smells.
Body is medium to thick... especially for a tripel. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 23:08:31 | More by crusian

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle purchased at the brewery and enjoyed at home.
Pours a crystal clear deep golden color with a huge white head that slowly dissipates but never really leaves. Smells of sweet candy sugar and honey like malts, sweet apples, orange zest, light pepper, light yeasty aromas. Taste is sweet with honey like malts, sweet sugars, light pomme fruits countered with a peppery Belgian yeasty funkiness. Medium body, spirited level of carbonation with a sweet almost sticky mouthfeel. This is a nice tripel, I'm glad I grabbed on to go.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2011 04:09:50 | More by johnnnniee

JustinAniello

Connecticut

4.05/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Pours a cloudy golden yellow with a one finger head. Dissipates to minimal lacing.

S - Heavy apple cider aroma, various spices mingle in the scent. Light citrus in the background.

T - Sweet caramel at first, followed by the apple and spices from the aroma. Reminds me of a white wine.

B - Medium body, light carbonation. Light dryness in the finish.

O - A good tripel, nice flavors that blend well together. A good lighter beer for when you need something on the sweeter and fruitier side. I could see this being excellent in some warmer weather.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 01:30:45 | More by JustinAniello

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed at the BBF

A - Very nice light amber hue with a small head but reall nice retention.

S - Just excellent. Sweet malts, candied malts and fruits, grains, and light belgian spice/yeast notes.

T - Almost as good as the nose. Nice sweetness intermixing with good sweet almost sticky fruits. Nice spice notes as well.

M - Good mouthfeel here. Nice and sweet, but not heavy or syrupy. Pretty good.

O - Yet another winner from CBC. The second table we went to at the fest and the one we just kept on going back to. Not a bad beer from these guys.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2011 22:45:11 | More by rudzud

Damian

Massachusetts

3.6/5  rDev -7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Drank on-tap at Deep Ellum, Allston, MA
Served in a chalice

Slightly hazed, honey yellow in appearance. The liquid was capped by a dense, frothy, bright white, long-lasting head. Large blocks of lacing stuck all down the glass.

The aroma was quite musty initially. Tangy and tart with strong lemon notes. As the beer warmed, the Belgian yeastiness came forth. Slightly powdery and sweet. Belgian candi sugar was detectable. Orange essence was apparent as well.

The flavor was quite unique. Creamy, pale malts appeared up front. Fruity and sweet in the center with lemon and orange notes dominating. Somewhat wheaty and tart. Spicy. Coriander and ginger notes came through strong. The finish was slightly boozy. Crisp and semi-dry with an earthy hoppiness not commonly found in the style.

Belgian tripels are often know for being highly (often over) carbonated, but this example was quite the opposite. The liquid was smooth, creamy and slightly syrupy but the carbonation was practically nonexistent.

At 9.6% ABV, this beer hid its alcohol prowess fairly well. The lack of carbonation however made this tripel sticky and dense on the palate.

Cambridge Brewing Company put an interesting spin on this Belgian-style brew. A decent effort but I think this could use some re-working.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2010 05:45:58 | More by Damian

IBUnit63

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the source...into a Tulip...

Excellent honey color - slightly viscous...full finger head and then some with great lacing and OK staying power.

Creamy silky esters of sweet light malt, wheat and candi sugar. Very light spice and some mild yet well-represented almost floral hops. A bit of good ginger too.

Oh yeah - I luvs some hoppy Tripel, me. Huge Candi sugar sweetness, solid raw quality of wheat and malt, but the hoppy backbone makes this deal. I know the alcohol is there in spades but it manifests itself only in the residual sweetness.

Feel is a little more tight than the overall package but that's not a huge detriment. Finish sticks the landing.

Yup - drinks way too easily. I've been savoring this for a few minutes and it's almost gone. Awesome.

Serving type: on-tap

02-26-2009 22:50:28 | More by IBUnit63