Sawyer's Triple - Stone Brewing Co.

largadeer

California

1.9/5  rDev -52.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

Bomber into a Stone tulip. Golden-amber appearance, semi-hazy, with two fingers of pure white froth. Signature tripel appearance. The nose is bubblegum, pure bubblegum. I honestly can't pick out anything else. Whatever yeast they use for this stuff, I'm not a fan. Tastes like a bubblegum sandwich; light breadiness mixed with shitloads of bubblegum. The mouthfeel is sweet from start to finish; where's the dryness? I've never been a huge fan of Stone's attempts at Belgian ales, but damn, this one just sucks.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2009 04:22:21 | More by largadeer

gford217

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to oldstylecubsfan for this bomber.

Pours exceptionally clear golden amber with a small and very short-lived soapy white head. It recedes quickly, leaving no bubbles at all and no lacing.

Sweet light fruits mix with sugar in the aroma and a lightly toasted malt backbone with very subtle spicy yeast in the nose. There's also some orange peel and some light peppers.

The taste has an initial citrus hop kick, though it's very faint before the light fruity esters and Belgian yeast sweetness take over. The finish is definitely spicy though, maybe some coriander and pepper, and the taste is not as sweet as the nose overall - certainly more layers in the taste.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with low to medium carbonation with a dry spiciness rounding it out on the palate.

This is an excellent and very drinkable triple that has plenty of complexity in the taste especially, where the spices do a great job of balancing out the dominant fruity sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2009 03:42:17 | More by gford217

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.8/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: The quality of Stones’ Bottles continues with another screen printed Bomber. Because of the circumstances, the design is a little more restrained, and I have to say that I like the simple classic looks. The usual description on the back of the bottle, which always raises a laugh or two, in this instance makes for a very sobering read. As I read it again, it has an even greater, more poignant, significance as little Sawyer lost his battle to the awful disease ALD, only a few days earlier.

Appearance: A massive ‘Belgium’ off-white head when first poured, which slowly settles to a smooth covering. The head fizzes with a lively effervescence which is very audible. The body is a very lucid dark golden color, with some amber hints at times when back-lit. Sadly, the head breaks to reveal just a collar like halo head.

Nose: A fantastic spicy hop aroma intermingled with yeast, and freshly kneaded dough. Effortlessly ‘Belgium’ in character.

Taste: Slightly sweet beginning, spicy hops invade the mouth. The black-pepper, spices, yeast and hops continually battle with each other. Orange peel and coriander enter the affray but only as Referees. No-one gains from this flavorsome fight – except the Imbiber. Towards the ending, & in the finish, there are small hints of cloves & banana’s at times.

Mouthfeel: A bold mouthfeel that leaves a nice tingle of the tongue and a spicy-clove aftertaste. The aftertaste of ones burps & belches are marvelous. The 7.6% is well masked.

Drinkability: I love Belgium beer & I love Stone beers – so to have both, is quite the treat. A very easy ‘5’. Gorgeously quaffable.

Overall: I am sure I am not the only one who did not really want to write this Review. Well, I have no fancy words to finish with, and I never knew little Sawyer, but I will say this - I happened to look at the Photograph of Sawyer on the wall of the Brewery’s Gift Shop, just as I was ordering some of this beer on Friday. His cheerful looking bespectacled face, his right arm raised with a clenched fist, somehow says everything I cannot. Maybe Stone could release this once a year in memory of Sawyer, raise much needed funds for the fight against ALD, and remind us all - just how damn lucky we are.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2003 07:14:54 | More by TheLongBeachBum

TurdFurgison

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to organicbrewer for this Stone bomber. Very touching background based on the description on the bottle, and I applaud Stone for the efforts to raise money for ALD research.

The beer is crystal clear and gold colored with almost no head. The smell is spot on for a tripel, I'd assume Golden Monkey if this was a blind test. Sweet sugary aroma with some spice and a little alcohol. The taste is very sweet, spicy hops breaking up the sugary flavors very well, an after-taste almost like anise? The body is appropriate for the stylelight and drinkable. A very nice take on the style, not overly hopped as you might expect (and want) from Stone, but there's nothing wrong with hitting a bulls eye.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2009 01:34:16 | More by TurdFurgison

francisweizen

Australia

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a light peach coloured liquid with a nice white head, that dies all too quickly. The aromas are of belgian candy sugar, yeast, various spices, sweet malts,a nd slight hops. I also detect some honey in the aroma as well. The taste is very well balanced and integrated. I can taste the yeast, candy sugar, slight hops, and sweet malts in good correlation to one another. The mouthfeel is a bit light, but it is also creamy, and pretty dead-on for the style. The drinkability is excellent, but the sweetness and honey-like nuances of this beer, make it a little cloying, so the drinkability has to be knocked a few points. This is not my favorite beer from Stone, nor my favorite triple, but this is another excellentbrew from the brewers at Stone. It's a shame that such a good beer has to come from such horrible circumstances :-(

Cheers to Sawyer and his family....Sincerely from me and my family...

Francis.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2003 21:15:07 | More by francisweizen

FosterJM

California

3.4/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

1123rd Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet
22 oz

Purchased from Stone @WinterStorm 2012

Shared with GuruDel

App- Freshly squeezed orange juice mixed with some yellow and golds. A bit unfiltered and a bit cloudy. No real head formed but had a nice ring of bubbles. Very small amount of cling towards the end.

Smell- Standard triple notes, but a bit faded. The yeast is still there with a small backing citrus note.

Taste- It was a pretty good triple. I just dont think its aging all that well. I am glad I got to try it as I love the style, but its a bit sweet with a softer yeast note. Has a certain flavor I can't put my finger on. The flavors are seeming to me at least of pullling apart a bit.

Mouth- A lighter medium body with a low-medium carbonation. Seemed a bit sweet on the finish with a little too much orange/lemon juice flavors.

Drink- I love the cause that this supports. I would gladly buy this beer again. It was good. I think I am just being nitpicky about it because its Stone and I love what they do.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 15:38:53 | More by FosterJM

GClarkage

California

3.65/5  rDev -9.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12/17/08- Purchased at Stone Brewing Company in Escondido, CA.

Presentation- 22oz silk screened bottle. Not sure of the freshness. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

Appearance- Very clear orange-amber colored pour. Smaller 1/2 inch, quickly dissapating head. Leaves some light streaks and a few spots of lace.

Smell- Mild whiff of alcohol, lots of brewers yeast, some corriander and a bubble gum nose.

Taste- Bubble gum is quite heavy. Could actually pass for a hefe, or maybe a kristallweizen. Good amount of corriander and some light sugar. Alcohol is present, but not overwhelming. Flavors meld together decently enough. Hops come through at the end of each sip.

Mouthfeel- Medium to a lower carbonation level. Very crisp with a very slight hoppy bitterness in the aftertaste.

Drinkability- Good job by Stone. Not great, but definitely drinkable. Worth every penny for the cause. I would by more if it were available out here just for that reason alone.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2008 16:06:07 | More by GClarkage

ffejherb

Pennsylvania

3.38/5  rDev -15.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to seanboley for sharing this 22oz. bomber on 3/18/10.

A - Poured a clear golden body with sparse carbonation and a minimal white head that reduced to a patchy film and thin ring of retention.

S - Initial aroma is very floral and sweet with hints of rose petals, candi sugar and sweet berries.

T - Lots of sweet, fruity character right from the get-go suggesting fleshy tree fruit akin to apples and pears. A slightly spicy presence is also apparent in the middle, followed by floral notes reminiscent of rose and lavender. While a moderate alcohol warmth is apparent, the flavor is quite sweet overall... perhaps even a bit too sweet.

M - Medium bodied with a very syrupy texture. Finishes dry with a lot of residual sweetness and a hint of spicy heat on the palate.

D - Pretty tasty Belgian-style Tripel overall, although I found it to be a bit on the sweet side... kind of like a Tripel doused with liquid sugar.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2010 03:10:16 | More by ffejherb

Jwale73

Rhode Island

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

Thanks to Thirstybird for hosting and sharing. 22oz. bottle split amongst four tasting snifters. Pours a translucent orange-gold; no head, no lacing. Nose is citrusy, with a noted hops presence, a hint of spice and a slightly earthy quality. Taste follows nose; however, some candi sugar comes out in the flavor profile. Mouthfeel is light-medium, with a mild, even carbonation and a semi-dry finish with a lightly lingering acidity. Easy drinking tripel without being cloying. Definitely Stone's expression of a classic style.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2010 21:56:58 | More by Jwale73

brewdlyhooked13

Ohio

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Traded for a bottle or two of this many years ago, I believe this is the 2004 release.

Appearance - a slight haze to this tangerine/gold brew. A thin finger of white bubbles away fairly quickly but does manage to keep a scant cover for a while.

Aroma - sweet caramel and orange, light yeast and phenols.

Taste - starts out a bit pilsnery, but sweeter in the malts.Obviously, no bite in the hops at all some nine years later, yet the dryness of the style allows for good balance anyway. The yeast and phenols cut the sugar quite well, and the aftertaste has a really nice level of throat and belly warming. The end is easy, pleasant, warm, very nice.

Mouthfeel - crisp, thin, medium-bodied.

Overall - definitely aged longer than the recommended max of six months, but it tastes super. As a lighter tripel on the abv side,you should be so lucky to even have the option for a second or third of these in one sitting. Here's to Sawyer, may we exhibit similar courage when we need it most.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 21:24:20 | More by brewdlyhooked13

emmasdad

Colorado

3.8/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Picked up a bottle of this one at the brewery, as I had never heard of it and it was for a very good cause. That said, this one poured a dark golden color with a billowy white head. Aromas of candi sugar, yeast, clove and lemon zest. On the palate, this one is light to medium bodied, with flavors of candi sugar, yeast and Belgian spice.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2011 00:17:05 | More by emmasdad

Floydster

California

4.5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

8 ounce glass at the Stone Winter Storm for eight dollars, all proceeds went to charity for
ALD, always willing to give some money for a good cause

Color was golden yellow with a slight orange tint, head was about 1/2 inch and had a soapy white appearance, some pretty impressive retention and lacing for a beer that is about four years old

Smell was missing something, lots of sugary aromas, different scents of fruit consisted of raisins, cherries, tangerine, and grapefruit, some bready malt aromas but none of these smells were substantial or stuck out much

Taste was calm and inviting that I could have probably drank a gallon of this stuff, well that might have been an exaggeration, taste was sweet all the way around, citrus at first with oranges and tangerine, later dark fruit surfaced with raisins and prunes leading the way, sugar hit the tongue each sip, aftertaste was super smooth and relaxed, not much hops left in this one if there was much to begin with when it was fresh, it was still well balanced regardless, some candy-like tastes came about when it continued to get warm, awesome beer overall

Body was nice with a medium body, thicker than most tripels I have seen, mellow level of carbonation, taste lasted a long time, sweet and creamy mouthfeel

Could have drink this all day, it went down so easy because of its unparalleled smoothness, alcohol percentage is not too bad, under eight percent, light on the stomach even though it is sweet, it had a subtle and light flavor with great drinkability

Have been wanting to try this for a few years now, finally was able to take this off my wants list, deserved to be the most expensive beer on the day, super good tripel, wish Stone made beers like this more often, highly recommended for anyone who is lucky enough to try it, would drink again in the future if possible with no questions asked, one of the best beers I have ever had from Stone Brewing

Serving type: on-tap

01-29-2008 07:59:10 | More by Floydster

ArrogantB

Colorado

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

22oz bottle thanks to mashmaster, nice golden orange clear color, decent head, decent lacing. Smells like a fruity tripel. The taste is subtle but nice spice, fruit flavors, usual tripel profile. I was actually surprised to like this as much as I did but it was good and the lower (for a tripel) ABV was welcome.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2008 05:01:57 | More by ArrogantB

beerguy101

California

4.58/5  rDev +13.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Light orange gold color. Small head. Aroma is fruity and spicy (coriander and pepper?) Orange and apricots. Bready. A medium bodied Belgian Style Ale. Not sure if it really a triple but its definitely has pure Belgian roots. Malts are very fruity and spicy. Carbonation is bright and lively. Its hoppy for a Belgian ale, but what else would you expect from Stone? Very nicely balanced. Extremely drinkable. I realize that this was a special brew, but do you think you could make more of this beer? Maybe sort of an annual thing. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet. Thanks to jcalabre for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2003 06:24:49 | More by beerguy101

srandycarter

California

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours fairly clear honey, not much head, some spotty lace.

S - fruity, Begian yeast, little spicy and some wheat smell.

T - Best part. Fruity, esp banana and orange peel, Belgian yeast flavor comes through pretty aggressive, holiday spice peeks out a little.

M - Med bod, good carb, balance pretty decent.

D - Does not overpower and ABV not incredibly high. Could have a few.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2010 04:01:04 | More by srandycarter

grub

Ontario (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Viggo shared this one. thanks eric!

22oz bottle. sampled march 21/09.

pours crystal clear golden yellow with a small very fine white head. the head quickly drops to a thin ring around the glass and leaves only a few spots of lace.

aroma is great. tropical fruit - pineapple, mango, papaya. nice light belgian yeasty spice. bit of alcohol. crackers and white bread. great caramel and honey sweetness.

taste is good. light honey and caramel sweetness, but it never approaches cloying. the tropical fruit is here too, but not as prominent as it was in the aroma. white bread and a touch of cracker. light belgian yeasty spice.

mouthfeel is good. just over medium carbonation. a little under medium body with a fairly dry finish.

drinkability is good. great balance, hiding the alcohol very well. love the fruity and light spicy character. quite a nice tripel, especially from an american brewer.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2009 02:00:38 | More by grub

Crosling

Colorado

4.3/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Naming a Stone brew after Sawyer was nice way to honor the courage of the little boy who is no longer with us. Very sad story that definately made me think. Thanks Stone and good luck to the family.

This brew poured a solid dark golden with a white head that fell into a smooth layer across the beer. After about 30 minutes there was no head to speak of and lacing was hard to come by. This bothered me.

The nose was full of light fruits and spicy hops.

The flavor was great and very well balanced. Light fruits dominated the palate. Lots of orange and some banana as well as some spicyness. Pretty hoppy but remarkably drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2003 14:26:01 | More by Crosling

flexabull

California

4.38/5  rDev +9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a bright and hazy gold color with a faint white head.

Aromas are creamy and kind of sweet, with some spice, and citrus. (a touch of lemon)

Taste has a light candied and creamy sweetness. Full and thick mouthfeel, light citrus, some banana, bubble gum, lemon crispness, spices, and a touch of cloves. Finish has a nice mineral hop bite that balances out the malt sweetness.

Mouthfeel as mentioned before is nice and thick, with enough carbonation to balance it out.

Drinkability is very good. Another winner from Stone. No real surprise there, these guys seem to produce nothing but high quality beers, and this complex and very drinkable Triple is no exception.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2009 00:43:08 | More by flexabull

illidurit

California

3.6/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear orangey gold color with a small, wet white head. Little if any lacing. Big bruised apple and banana aroma, very fruit salad-like. Flavor is very similar but there's a light spiciness in the finish. No trace of alcohol but the beer is rather sweet which hurts the drinkability. Semidry finish, smooth.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2009 19:10:03 | More by illidurit

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This triple poured a clear, golden color with white foam that settled. The smell was sweet and malty (Belgian malt) with some fruitiness. The taste was sweet (sugar) and malty (Belgian) and fruity with some floral notes and a moderate amount of hoppiness to balance. The mouthfeel was smooth and warming with medium body and good carbonation. There was a tangy, sweet, malty aftertaste. This was a very nice triple.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2004 23:08:39 | More by UncleJimbo

sweemzander

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz. bottle poured into a tulip. Thanks to cjacobsen for sharing this one!

(A)- Pours a cloudy orange hue. Produced a light layer of white foam before dissipating. Minimal lacing.

(S)- Tons of clove and banana. Hints of lemon rind as well. Lightly earthy and dry.

(T)- Similar to the smell. Lots of wheat-like lemon and banana. Slightly dry and earthy.

(M)- A good carbonation level and balance. Crisp and earthy with good fruits.

(D)- A good triple. Has that crispness I like about the style with a good body and flavor profile.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2011 01:14:41 | More by sweemzander

armock

New York

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

A - Poured a clear golden color with a thin white head that leaves some lacing behind

S - Has a fruity nose with spicy Belgian yeast

T - Like the nose fruits upfront finishes spicy and yeasty

M - This beer has a medium body with high carbonation to it

D - This was actually a lot better than I expected it to be and I'm not sure why I just wasn't expecting a Tripel this good if you see it at the brewery you should pick up a bomber of this

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2010 23:51:12 | More by armock

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle courtesy of numbeercruncher - thanks!! Split w/ dkachur and poured into a cervoise.

Appearance: Pours a clear, filtered orange gold, very vibrant and bright. The half-finger white head fades distressingly quickly, unfortunately, and the lacing is splotchy, runny, glittery. Carbonation is faint as well, though what is there is fast, fine, quick. The color's really nice, though I really wish the head had a little more to offer.

Aroma: Now that's more like it. Very crisp and clean, with tons of fruit, spice, and great Belgian malt notes. Pineapple, clove, and bubble gum seem to be the dominant three representing from each of those category, though there are deviations - pears and bananas, coriander and faint cinnamon, honey and other sweet, pale pils malts. Faint herbal notes - thyme, mint - are faintly noticeable. Very complex and full-bodied.

Taste: Halfway between sweet and dry, and very similar to the nose - fruity, spicy, and malty. It's really very similar to the nose, in fact - pineapple, banana, melon, clove, bubble gum, cotton candy - but with a soupcon of tartness that detracts ever so slightly from a few of the flavors.

Mouthfeel: Well-carbonated and medium bodied, but incredibly even and thin. It's fantastically delicate and smooth, but still somehow crisp and lively. Great.

Drinkability: What a fantastic beer, and for such a fantastic cause too. I'm very, very glad to have tried this one - many thanks again to a fantastic trader, numbeercruncher - and definitely would recommend it to others. Alcohol is not unreasonable for the style and well-hidden, the flavors and aromas are wonderfully complex and inviting, the mouthfeel is smooth yet crisp ... I'm gonna have to call this one a definite winner.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2008 08:01:30 | More by CrellMoset

bashiba

Iowa

4.43/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured a bright orange with a thick and creamy long lasting off white head.

The smell was strong and fruity with a big sweet banana nose and a hint of candy sugar.

A big fruity blast up front with banana, apricot, and mango's all coming through, the yeast then becomes prevalent along with a clean bit of wheat and a some dry grassy hops.

The mouthfeel was creamy and full with a long lingering dry finish.

Very solid Tripel, I like it.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2009 01:21:30 | More by bashiba

DIM

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

a: This was a bright golden color, a little on the dark side. I couldn't coax much of a head out of this one.

s: Sweet banana esters, mild cloves, candied sugar, and a little flowery heat. Nothing overpowering, this was very balanced and complex.

t: This starts off with sweet bananas and some fairly strong clove flavors. The cloves linger into the fnish with some dry, flowery warmth.

m: This had a very viscous body, but the carbonation was surprisingly gentle.

d: Thanks to rallison for a very tasty tripel. If this was a bit less spicy, and the carbonation was tweaked a bit, this could have been great.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2009 10:43:53 | More by DIM