Abbaye De Floreffe Triple - Brasserie Lefèbvre SA

BeerBelcher

Ohio

2.05/5  rDev -45.6%
look: 2 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

I was rather unimpressed by this beer, which came as a surprise as I had it immediately after enjoying the Lefebvre Floreffe Brown, which I enjoyed a great deal. This beer seemed to have a yeasty mustiness to it, rather than the sweet champagne-like qualities I've come to expect from tripels. It wasn't rancid or undrinkable, it was just hardly terrific.

Appearance was a cloudy straw color with lots of yeasty sediment which never really settled out. I'm not really a sediment-friendly type of drinker, so I usually try to decant effectively...my efforts were futile in this particular case. Aroma was a bit musty and stale. Flavor was very yeasty, and also musty. Not enjoyable. Mouthfeel was unremarkable, but almost irrelevant due to lackluster flavor.

I would not recommend this beer. I had this bottle at the Palm Tavern in the Bayview neighborhood of Milwaukee.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2008 19:55:13 | More by BeerBelcher

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

2.65/5  rDev -29.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A- Soapy white head. Huge pop from the cork with tons of smoke. Golden orange, no carbonation. The most interesting part of the beer.

S - Orangest and yeast. Aside from that it's really subdued.

T - Yeasty. Not alot aside from that. Some sourness. Not terrible but nothing really comes out at you. Sorta bland.

M - Dry finish. Medium body. Sorta thin for ABV.

D - Low. Pretty boring beer for what I expected. Wouldn't keep my attention past the small glass I had.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2010 05:46:22 | More by tbeckett

n2185

North Carolina

2.9/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A: Pours a slightly hazy yellow-orange with two fingers of white head that fades into a thin layer with decent lacing.

S: Slight Belgian spice notes up front with candy sugar and a lot of ester and yeast aromas. It's all kind of muted, though. Definitely not the best smelling beer out there.

T: Spices here as well followed by some candy sugar and then sweet ester and yeast flavors. The finish is a little bready but with a lingering sweetness.

M: Medium-light body with mid-high carbonation, this beer is a little undercarbonated, but avoids being too thick feeling.

O: Not a very good tripel, overall. Not overly offensive, but far from good. It's a bit too estery and yeasty for me and lacks depth.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2012 00:52:42 | More by n2185

ccrida

Oregon

2.95/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 750ml bottle into my Koningshoeven goblet, the Floreffe Triple is a clear golden orange with a modest off white head that subsides pretty quickly to a thick skim, leaving pretty heavy foam lace.

At first, the aroma is moderate, grainy with spicy yeast, phenols and a touch of honey. As it warms, it really opens up, gaining a soft, vanilla sweetness and some really enjoyable hefe like esters.

The taste is also a bit subdued, and very similar to the nose...mainly phenols and yeast spice, with a dry, acrid finish that is more boozy then it should be at 7.5%. I fiind it notable that the label states they use cane sugar, rather then the traditional candi sugar, which gains complexity through caramelization and inversion. I think this triple really suffers as a result, lacking depth, pushing towards cidery and a bit sour . Luckily, the graininess is sufficient to keep it from lacking any character. Overall, it comes off a bit harsh, and a bit metallic tasting.

The mouthfeel is sharp, but with a nice level of carbonation.

This is not that great of a triple. If I was doing a bland tasting, I'd guess it was a sub-par attempt by a US micro undereducated in the style. I don't know enough about this brewery, but assuming the label blurb referencing the abbey is indicative of their history, I'll consider it an early rung on the evolutionary ladder of triples, a recipe pre-Jean De Clerck (PJ). Well actually, I think it's the sugar more the yeast at fault here, but pre-PJ had a nice ring to it!

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2007 04:26:40 | More by ccrida

NiceGuyMike

New Jersey

2.95/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Less than 5 bucks for a 750 ml seems like a good deal. Claims to be made from cane sugar.

a: Dark golden yellow, about a finger of white head; little lacing.
s: Musky
t: Musky, sweet.
m: Medium bodied, creamy, nice carbonation.
d: Not so great. I can do without.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2009 23:42:05 | More by NiceGuyMike

Monsteruss

Colorado

2.95/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

After pouring, the foam was thick, bubbly, light wheat in color with thick lacing. The color was a dark hazy amber with honey gold highlights. It had a light malt, fruity taste with a nice balance of hops and wheat. The taste was light malty, deep and heavy and fruity. Had a sence of high gravity. The taste also had a flowery undertone with hints of carmel. Mouthfeel - deep and full-bodied. Drinkability - due to the heaviness, a less than ok session.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2011 01:24:23 | More by Monsteruss

mwa423

Ohio

3/5  rDev -20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Also bought the $5 4-pack from Jungle Jim's in Fairfield, Ohio. Best Before 5-10-2009 at 11:37 P.M. I saved two, and I'm drinking one on 5-10-09 at 11 and 12 and we'll see about that!

A - Very dark and very hazy, almost closer to an amber then most belgians. Lots of head, I couldn't fit the entire pour into one glass, ald the head stayed throughout the entire beer.

S - Strange smell, acidic, but lots of banana. Has a smell that is closer to wine.

T - Lots of banana, with bits of citrus and lots of yeast.

M - The flavor and texture sticks to your tongue. It is very good consider how high the carbonation is.

D - While I enjoyed an after dinner belgian, the next three will be finished over time.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2009 01:07:05 | More by mwa423

flipper2gv

Quebec (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

A: a bit cloudy yellow colored brew. Head is pure white, nice and creamy with good retention and lacing.

S: Oranges dominate the smell with some orange juice and zest. Good amount of herbal dryness and biscuit malts. A little bit of cloves and coriander. There are also some nuts in this that combines with some honey and other smell to make something that reminds me of banana bread.

T: Very light tasting considering the strong and complex smell. It is pretty much about biscuit malts, coriander, cloves and orange zest. Much less sweet than the smell. Herbal/piny hops quite present considering it is a belgian ale. Banana bread is still there. A bit off in the taste for a tripel.

M: Medium mouthfeel with medium carbonation, as expected. Drying finish, weird.

D: Well, the finish doesn't make me want to take more and the beer isn't good enough on the palate to consider another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2010 22:22:03 | More by flipper2gv

ViveLaChouffe

Georgia

3.18/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

33cl bottle purchased in a beer store in La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium...

Pours a hazy gold with a billowing snow-white head. Smell is quite sweet and fruity (pears and citrus) with some light sweet spice.

Alcohol is quite evident in the mouth, a strong malty sweetness and a fruitiness (pear and green apple). Even with the great sweetness and the very present alcohol, there is a softness in the mouth with a fairly clean finish and not a lot in the way of aftertaste.

Something doesn't mesh quite right but it's not bad at all...

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2008 02:20:34 | More by ViveLaChouffe

bditty187

Nebraska

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Hazy, peachy-gold in hue, off-white head, at the apex the head was a half finger tall. The bubbles fell quickly to a soapy, thick cap that had decent staying power. Unorganized but noteworthy lacing. Overall, the appearance is attractive in a "plain Jane" kind of way.

Soft, buttery nose with hints of caramel apples, lemon, and cloves; not much hops for a Triple and it was only vaguely malty. The nose is disappointedly simple; it doesn't smell like a Triple should, IMO. Moderate-low potency; decent nose... the fruitiness grew on me over time but I needed more hops to add some depth. The alcohol is hidden. Really, the nose is just okay.

Fruity, buttery-caramely palate, sweet throughout until the aftertaste (it dries out a tickle). Like the nose the palate is simple but still likable; the flavors kind of remind me of a beer like Triple Moine. I'd like more hops, more biscuit/cracker maltiness, and more pizzazz. Like I've said, decent palate... good in the moment but forgettable.

Medium in body, creamy, smooth carbonation; the mouthfeel does work well with this beer.

Drinkable. Pleasant. But forgettable. This review is from notes. I just didn't have much to say as the beer didn't say much to me. One thing this beer has going for it as it sells for less than $7 for a 750ml. It is a value beer and worth a purchase. Compared to other Triples it falls short. Purchased in Omaha.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2008 15:09:56 | More by bditty187

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.2/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bought this at Bert's Bierhuis in Utrecht.

From a bottle into a chalice

APPEARANCE: Pours a big rocky thinner-looking 2 ½ finger white head slowly receeds to a thin film, clinging lace immediately. Film cap remains and leaves some thin lacing down the glass. Color is carrot orange, opaque, with higher carbonation evident that decorates the top.

SMELL: Toasted malt, sweet apples and apricot, some honeydew melon and hints of citrus fruits as well. Quite sweet and fruity. Mild traces of cloves and other spices in the back. Mild strength and average at best.

TASTE: Toasted malt, some sweet fruit like above, apples, honeydew melon and apricot. Some citrus fruit and lemon too, with hints of clove and a touch of spicy alcohol at the end. Mild aftertaste has some sweet fruit, spices, and some alcohol there. A touch of hop bitterness at the end to balance it out. Pretty decent really.

PALATE: Thinner body, a little light and airy. Goes down light with a little scratch at the back from the ABV. Finishes crisp with the right amount of dryness. A little too light and airy for my liking, though not too far off.

OVERALL: Decent beer. I'd have it again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to get it.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2009 16:05:23 | More by Jeffo

atigerlife

Hawaii

3.28/5  rDev -13%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours a cloudy orange/dark golden. Small slightly off-white head that dissipated quickly. Visible large bubble car rising.

Aroma of apple cider, alcohol, malts, pears and spices.

Taste has a strong alcohol component. Also apple cider, malts, yeast, spices and light citrus. Very sweet.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied and cleansing.

Overall, this is an OK brew but certainly far down the list of my favorite tripels. Still, somewhat interesting, just too sweet for me.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2008 04:45:44 | More by atigerlife

CHickman

New York

3.28/5  rDev -13%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours hazy gold in color with a massive foamy/bubbly off white 2-3 finger head that faded slowly; this head was so thick and creamy that it was like a cross between whipped cream and a bubble bath; left very good foamy lacing that slid down fast, leaving rings.

Smells sweet, like citrus and yeast, with sweet malt, lemon, coriander, spices like pepper and faint clove, grass, wet bread and a metallic funk. Very mellow noce for a triple, and very basic malty yeast aroma.

Tastes sweet and fruity, like a champagne - flavors include sweet malt, yeast, lemon, cloves, spices like pepper, tart fruit like sour apple, light caramel, grass, light citrus hops, wet bread and the typical metallic funk associated with yeast; tastes like a zesty, funked up hefeweizen, not a Triple. The sweetness must be from the cane sugar listed on the label, but that doesn't help ease that fact that this is an unbalanced beer that's too sweet. It doesn't taste bad, but it doesn't really stand out either.

Mouthfeel is very light and refreshing, with a champagne feel from the high carbonation, a light body and a dry, crisp finish. This has all the elements of being a great beer, but the flavor is just too one dimensional and sweet. The alcohol heat shows up pretty much after each sip, but is not a distraction and not a negative element considering that this is a triple. This was a strange beer as it was not what I expected. Drinkable, yes; would it be my first choice....not sure. Would like to try it with spicy food as it may work best that way.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2011 03:21:31 | More by CHickman

Swedes21

Ontario (Canada)

3.33/5  rDev -11.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a chilled glass

Appearance - deep ale, clear, white head, lacing, good carbonation

Smell - orange, citrus, cloves, wheat, slight earthy tones.

Taste - found this to be very "dry" in tasting, not a tonne came from it. little sour near the end, not even bitter. upfront taste on the tip of the tongue of zesty orange.

Mouthfeel - some carbonation added, not much else happening. I found the sour end went away and turned to a little more sweet bitterness.

Drinkability - an ok beer, wont lie i was expecting a lot more. glad i tried, wouldnt find it again for a tripel.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2011 23:25:32 | More by Swedes21

ATPete

New Jersey

3.4/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz bottle

The Floreffe triple pours a dirty orange brown color with an enormous white cloud of a head floating atop the brew. Sugary sweet malts and yeast in the nose, notes of bubble gum, banana, citrusy hops and floral esters. A surprising amount of roasted malt character while tasting. Hints of caramel and wood as well as pepper, molasses, candy sugar, fermented fruit, boozy heat and subtle, slightly bittering hops, not way off balance but just enough that it cries imperfection. Medium, coating body, moderate carbonation, and decently drinkable. If in search of a Belgian tripel that is going to wow you, look elsewhere.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2008 00:23:00 | More by ATPete

ballewblake

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

poured from a 750 into a duvel tulip. Golden hue with bubbling carbonation coming up from all sides of the tulip to the huge off white head from a fast pour. Head reduces sort of quick leaving a bubbly lace on the glass. Some bubblegum and sweetness in the smell. Sweet taste on the lips and tip of my tongue, almost Nutrasweet like. The taste is pretty mild and really smooth, not aggressive or over powering in any regard. Something about the taste screams fake, like an artificial sweetener in it. Not a bad brew, really smooth but something is off this round. Easy to drink and pretty tame on the alchy level. Shouldn't have a problem finishing the 750, but I think I prefer their dubble to the tripel.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2008 23:29:52 | More by ballewblake

Gmann

New York

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear golden orange color with a huge rocky pure white head that left plenty of lacing on the side of the glass. The smell is rather faint for a tripel, I mainly pick up pale malt. The taste is not as sweet as expected, rather toned down. A pale malt base, some light tropical fruit sweetness and a light hop presence to balance it out, a bit of an alcohol kick in the end. Not much of a Belgian yeast flavor. The feel is light and has a soft fizzy carbonation, not as sharp as most tripels. The finish is quite balanced. This brew is a rather underwhelming tripel, definitely not as complex as it should be and doesn't really remind me of a Belgian beer at all. However, this beer is still pretty good and quite drinkable. Worth a go.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2007 22:49:13 | More by Gmann

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a five+ finger white head that fades slowly, leaving a little lace. Cloudy amber color. Light-medium carbonation and medium bodied. Sweet almost honey nose. Flavor is almost sweet, with spicy yeast finish. $3.70 for a 11.2oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2008 22:29:10 | More by jdhilt

harkjohnny

Ohio

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

never seen this brand before. it was on special at Jungle Jim's $5 for a 4 pack so i figured I'd give it a shot.

Quite the head on this one. Pours into a chalice with a big dense foamy and rocky white head. I could only get about half the 11.2oz bottle in on the first pour. It's settling slowly and leaving lots of lace. Pretty golden color is transparent and effervescent.

Aroma is sugary sweet with a few yeasty phenols. My nose isn't working great today however.

Flavor of the first sip says spicy! Not only from yeast but from carbonation and also the alcohol burn. It's not terribly over the top and the malt helps cut it down some. Medium body. Finish is sweet and drying.

Wasn't sure what to expect but I'd say a decent find for the price.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2008 02:18:39 | More by harkjohnny

flagmantho

Washington

3.58/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from 330mL bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: dark orange hue with a very slightly hazy body with suspended floaties. Head is two fingers of pillowy ivory foam. Darker than I normally expect for a tripel, but still quite nice.

Smell: deep, rich malt aroma. Smell is good but it lacks any of the fruity complexity I like so much in tripels.

Taste: rich malt and a fair bit of alcohol, despite its somewhat low ABV for a tripel. I like the malt character, but without any complexity this beer is almost bland, I'm sorry to say.

Mouthfeel: medium body with a good level of carbonation and concomitant creaminess. I like it.

Overall: this is a bit of an underwhelming tripel. I like it well enough, but it's just not complex enough to warrant seeking.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2011 17:47:45 | More by flagmantho

Douglas14

California

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

Pours out a nice, slightly hazy yellow color with a little bit of a brown hue to it. It has a nice thick head that leaves a lot of lace and keeps a good 1/8 inch layer above the beer. The nose is very earthy and sugary...maybe even some hints of woods. The taste follows the aroma very well: sweet fruits, yeast, and dough come in to compliment the earthy tones that are present. It has a nice mouthfeel and finishes excellent. Definitely a great tripel...nothing over the top, yet still full of spicey and flavorful characteristics.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2008 02:30:30 | More by Douglas14

bsp77

Minnesota

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

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Tulip.

Appearance: Very cloudy amber-blonde (much darker than typical for style) with a huge dollop of a white head, like the top of a root beer float.

Smell: Pretty sweet, with mostly banana and yeast. The clove and pepper are pretty minimal.

Taste: Somewhat sweet, bready and syrupy. The banana and fleshy fruits are in full force. Some light clove and pepper on the finish, but some metallic notes actually overtake the spiciness and leave a slightly unwelcome lasting impression.

Feel: Moderately high carbonation, with a body that is a little thick and syrupy (especially considering the use of cane sugar). Semi-dry finish.

Drinkability: Decent Tripel with a strong fruity profile but the overly syrupy body and metallic finish are detriments.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2011 19:23:35 | More by bsp77

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a light amber/yellow color ale with a huge foamy head with great retention and good lacing. Aroma of fruit and ester is quite enjoyable with a light spice mix. Taste is a mix between some spices, floral malt and some wheat. Body is a bit thin and alcohol is slightly burning but nothing out of control. I would say hat this tripel is above the middle of the pack but not part of the greatest of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2006 14:54:04 | More by Phyl21ca

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

(Served in a Chalice)

A- This beer has an apricot colored body with a thick creamy head of nice bit of lacing after each sip. There is a sea of tiny bubbles that glide around the body.

S- This beer has a soft candy sugar note to it with a nice green note at the finish.

T- There is a soft sweetness at the beginning that has a light fruity quality to it with a dry pear note to follow. There is a nice bitterness at the finish with a faint tangerine zest to the hop hint. There is a carbonic acid note that is part of the bitterness hint.

M- This beer has a medium light mouthfeel with a faint alcohol heat that comes through as the beer warms.

D- This beer has a smooth soft flavor with some sweetness and some bitterness that balance nicely. This is a well built beer with not a lot of interests.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2007 19:28:08 | More by rhoadsrage

Yotus

Nebraska

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a dense thick head from a 750m bottle into a Corsendonk tulip glass. Deep gold hue, bordering on amber. Light yeastiness spiciness/malt in the nose. Quite effervescent; good lacing on glass.

Quite yeasty in the palate, light malt/citrus/pear-like notes. Finishes quite dry for an Abbey-style tripel. The overall flavor seems to be lacking backbone; while it is quenching, I have tasted better Tripels. Medium-light body, crisp somewhat sourish bitter finish (carbonic bite). The label states that this is brewed with cane sugar, which would explain the lightness of body. Hop presence is minimal; just enough to provide balance.

At 7.5% ABV, I can enjoy the whole bottle. Quite drinkable, but nothing to right home about.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2008 02:14:46 | More by Yotus