Belgian Tripel - Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

maximum12

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big 750 ML bottle picked up at the Minneapolis Rock Bottom late this past fall after having a pint at the bar. Bottle 64/72 split with my wife on a rainy Minnesota winter evening. <?>

Pour is classic cloudy orange. Nose sends me off into blissful contemplation: lovely wine notes, sweet sugar candi, surprising splash of citrusy hops. Great nose for a tripel, both in real terms & by comparison.

Rock Bottom's Belgian Tripel has a gorgeous vinuous quantity; the wine barrels were used to great advantage (& not sure this is precisely what the other reviews are for, but it says "Belgian Tripel" on the label!). Great, $45/bottle wine spills from the glass along with the obligatory sweet malts & candied sugar, the echo of citrus again cut with an almost herbal element. Spot on. This isn't going to last at my elbow for very long.

This is a tripel with a sultry attitude. The unexpected citrus/herbs, coupling with the wine barrels, just drives this into a place I've never seen a tripel. Breaks out of the box with a vengeance; this is an excellent beer. I have to spend more time at Rock Bottom, this is great stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2012 03:35:02 | More by maximum12

scalffd

Illinois

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Seved in a tulip glass at the Rock Bottom in Cincinnati, OH.

Color: a very nice amber, translucent, looks very much like a bourbon with a head!

Head: thin and creamy with distinct lacing throughout the life of the beer.

Taste: there is definitely some fruitiness shining through with a light, but acerbic finish. You can tell the alcohol is there but it isn't overwhelming.

Overall: quite an enjoyable version of this Belgian classic! I would recommend - in fact, have two!

Serving type: on-tap
@ Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis

12-24-2009 17:38:21 | More by scalffd

dfried

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Very clear and golden in appearance, thin white cap for a head that lasted well as a film and ring and left some good lacing. The aroma had some deep fruity esters, white grapes and maybe some red/yellow plums, but the candy sugar was most noticeable, and some peppery, spicy notes. The taste and mouthfeel was even more thick and syrupy and I expected from the aroma. Some Belgian yeast, candy sugar. A medicinal feel to it at times. Sitcky but crisp and sharp mouthfeel. Some white grape fruitiness not not all that apparent.

Verdict: pretty good. In my notes I wrote "Sugary, medicinal, yeasty, and some spiciness about sums it up." I would have liked to see some more layers in the fruity flavors, but I like this beer all around.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis

12-14-2006 18:38:05 | More by dfried

corporatejim

Minnesota

3.8/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours from the growler a nlight golden color. Little to no head. Minimal lacing decorates the inside of the glass. I had this several times at the brewery and I remember it more bold than it is now. This has mellowed quit a bit. When it first came out it was probably a little too hoppy for the style. The sweet carmaly malt came through strong though. The sweetness had faded a bit now as well. Still catch a little pear flavoring, but otherwise this has mellowed considerably. This is a good beer that you have to be careful with because of the alcohol content.

Serving type: growler
@ Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis

01-14-2006 23:46:31 | More by corporatejim

BeerBuilder

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours to a clear golden color with a white head that leaves spotty lacing. The aroma is yeasty, spicy, peppery, with a candi sugar sweetness.

The flavor is spicy and peppery, with a candi sugar sweetness and a herbal lemony taste. It is medium-full in body and nice drinking. A good brew.

Serving type: growler
@ Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis

01-01-2006 21:13:19 | More by BeerBuilder

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I had this on tap today and oh what a treat.

Bright, lemon yellow tone. Great clarity. Capped with a tight white head. Aroma was nicely scented with bready yeastiness, slight pepper, slight alcohol and fruity esters. The taste expanded on these sensations, with a great bready, doughy malt base. The alcohol was barely present. Peppery spiciness was subtle and fruity sensations added complexity. What a nice triple. Very smooth and quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis

12-22-2005 23:47:28 | More by Bighuge

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.22/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The name I gave this is quoted directly from the board. Never heard of a "trippel" before, but that's what they wrote, so...

Partly cloudy golden/peachy hue, with a tight, though solid, milky white head.

Nose is floral and fruity, with tastefully tingly hops, mild, but pleasing.

Clean mouthfeel, with plentiful citric zest to liven the palate. Gets fuller and rounder as we get into it, sweet and slick, but far from cloying. Actually, a very tidy, well-balanced tripel, this.Malt is delicate, but more than adequate, fills in well as ballast and succor. Excellent integration.

A very easy to please rendition, but with enough character to make the critics in the house happy. Anyone can like this one, and that's always a happy outcome.

Reviewed from notes taken while having my second glass, after being informed that they do not fill growlers of this one.

Serving type: on-tap
@ Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery, 800 LaSalle Plaza, Minneapolis

11-22-2005 10:18:31 | More by feloniousmonk