Tripel - Great Divide Brewing Company

tbrown4

Maryland

2.83/5  rDev -24.3%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Had this for the first time at Race Street Cafe in Philadelphia before a show at the Electric Factory with some other beer geeks. I've enjoyed just about everything I've had from GD, and being a huge fan of the style this seemed like a no brainer! Review #50 on BA for me:)

A - Bright gold, thin off white fine bubbled head. Slight carb stream.

S - Surprisingly not much here. Just a slight mild sweetness.

T - Seemed very flat and undefined. A mild sweet middle and a slightly bitter finish.

M - Seemed about average. Not much carb pop. No alcohol warmth.

D - Easy to put back, which to me was the only saving grace of this brew. The ABV can't be found.

Overall I was unimpressed with this beer. Very disappointed since I've enjoyed offerings from GD before and am a big fan of the style. I'm going to give this the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to a bad keg, bad batch or a dirty tap line. I'll update this review if I find it again on tap. I really want to give this one another chance.

Serving type: on-tap

02-24-2011 21:33:56 | More by tbrown4

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.88/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On Tap at UJ'S.

Great Divide Triple looks the part with a bright gold almost white golden shade that kinda glows. Off the tap there was some bubbles forming somewhat of a cap but not 100%. No stick, ah well, cant win em all. Having had a bunch of 'hoppy' American triples and being less than impressed, I can tell by scent that this is not hop laden. There is some slight earthy, grassy hops in there, but this smells fruity, if I was going to narrow it down to one word. Taste is superb for a American attempt. Im greeted by a melange of apple's and pears and some other mix of fruits and Belgian yeast. Comes off minimally sweet with a touch of bubblegum and even less caramel. I cant taste any of the almost 10 percent alc in this, it's almost completely hidden except for a slight warming effect when the liquid reaches room temp. Medium bodied with a nice hit of carb. One of the better versions coming from this country, while I cant drink alot of it, I really enjoyed what I had.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2010 16:09:06 | More by onix1agr

emmasdad

Colorado

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

I had been reluctant to buy a bomber of this, as I didn't feel like spending $8, when I could spend a couple dollars more and grab a six pack of Golden Monkey. Saw it on tap at the brewery, and decided to give it a shot. Pours a nice bright golden color, with a big rocky white head. Belgian spice, Belgian yeast, peaches and a crisp finish, well-hidden alcohol. If GD decides to package this one in 6 packs, I probably by a good amount of it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-26-2010 01:28:04 | More by emmasdad

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

3.5/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

11 ounce goblet - $6.00 at Taco Man in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Appearance: Hazed, deep gold body with a half inch of creamy-looking, off-white head.

Smell: Lightly sweet-scented malts and Belgian yeast lead in the nose followed by various notes listed below in the taste. Of these various notes listed below in the taste, none really stick out beyond, if one must choose, the abject spiciness.

Taste: Sweet pale malts, perhaps a touch of pils tossed in there as well, with an overall honeyish flavor. Thin vein of graininess running through the taste. A jaunty mixture of flavors passes the tongue, including bubble gum, earthy spices, white peaches, banana, and Pinot Grigio. The near-fresh, recently-grated spice character is helped along by the Noble hops within. Medium-light bitterness. Finishes dry, fairly crisp, with a bit of warming alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium-plus carbonation. At least on draught at this particular venue, the relatively airy carbonation keeps things from ever becoming cloying or heavy.

Drinkability: Sufficient for an American-born tripel, but, as is oftentimes the case, it falls just shy of the better Belgian renditions available.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2009 21:40:06 | More by ChainGangGuy

nickd717

California

3.6/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Great Divide when I was in town for GABF 2009.

A - Clear yellowish-golden color with a medium white head and decent lacing.

S - Aroma is banana, light citrus fruit, bready malt, and yeast.

T - Flavor is pale malt, citrus, yeast, banana, and some resiny hops. A little alcohol detectable.

M - Medium bodied and fairly smooth with a tiny bit of lingering bitterness.

D - Average-plus. Overall this is decent but not great.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2009 20:03:21 | More by nickd717

Rayek

Colorado

3.98/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Great Divide Tap Room. Served in a snifter.

A: Dark straw with a significant haze. Fluffy eggshell head has average retention and leaves very little lace.

S: Spicy aromas of pepper and coriander dominate. They are balanced with the sweetness of pears, and even a hint of bubblegum. A straw like malt presence sits in the background.

T: Mostly spicy, with a pepper and clove bitterness that sets up the other flavors. Sweetness is there with pear, apple and green grape. A sourdough presence brings up the rear. Finishes with a lingering combination of lemon and coriander, plus a mild alcohol warmth.

M: The body is light, and makes the beer not feel as strong as it is. Carbonation level is just about right.

D: This beer drinks much lighter than its ABV. I had to make sure I didn't down this too quickly. The beer's alcohol is well masked, which is quite the accomplishment with this much of it on hand. This is a very nice Tripel that I'm glad I had the opportunity to try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2009 03:14:19 | More by Rayek

jsisko01

Michigan

3.69/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottled on Aug 12, 2010

Appearance - Pours a VERY hazy golden color with an inch thick, soapy white head that lingers for a couple minutes. Leaves a nice thick, creamy lacing.

Smell - Has a musty funk aroma that is most dominant. Light spices and citrus seem to be present as well

Taste - Spices come through much stronger up front, with a very strong and sweet honey flavor. Banana, clove, orange citrus, and pepper are also detectable. And a fairly strong alcohol bite in the finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied with high carbonation.

Overall - The sweet honey flavor is a little overbearing in my opinion.. but I think this may be how tripels are intended to be? I have only tried a couple others and they were very similar to this.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 03:34:39 | More by jsisko01

LiquidAmber

Washington

3.83/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 9/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a murky yellow-orange amber. Thin white head but nice lacing. Mild malt and spice aroma. Malt, light fruits, light lemon, belgian yeast and spice. Finishes dryer and less complex than most Belgian tripels. Tasty, but not quite up to the level of a Belgian. Good, pleasant backup tripel.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 19:44:35 | More by LiquidAmber

superspak

Michigan

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bottle into chalice; bottled 08/12/2010. Pours hazy golden straw color with a nice 1 finger dense white head with good retention that reduces to a thick cap that lingers. Some spotty lacing clings to the glass as well. Aromas of lemon, pear, apple, orange, pepper, biscuit, grass, yeasty spices, and light tart grains. Nice and well balanced aromas. Quite standard for a tripel as expected. Taste of big lemon, apple, orange, pepper, grass, biscuit, tart grains, and spicy yeast. Lingering notes of citrus, pepper, grains, and yeast spices on the finish for a bit. Medium carbonation and body; with a fairly creamy mouthfeel. Very smooth drinking for 9.3% but is still a bit of a sipper. Alcohol is extremely well hidden with only a slight warming after the finish. Overall this is an excellent American made Tripel. Great flavor balance and complexity; with good drinkability for the level of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 07:45:11 | More by superspak

n2185

North Carolina

2.03/5  rDev -45.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

A: Pours a hazy gold with a finger of white head that recedes into a thin layer with decent lacing.

S: Some slight spice notes and light fruit aromas up front, followed by a strong DMS aroma of cooked vegetables.

T: Light spices and candy sugar up front followed by that strong veggie flavor. There are some yeast flavors on the finish.

M: Medium-light body with medium carbonation, this beer is a bit thick and watery for the style.

O: Not a good beer at all. I don't know if it was a bad bottle because of the strong veggie aromas and flavors, but I definitely have no urge to have this beer again.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2012 20:47:32 | More by n2185

HalfFull

California

3.28/5  rDev -12.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a wine glass from a foiled 22 oz. bottle. Brewed in August 2010, an interesting find from Great Divide. Pours a hazed golden with a thin white cap. Bit hazy and wheat like in appearance. Moderate retention settles to a light film and leaves light lacing.

Aroma is slightly sweet and with an under represented yeast influence. Somewhat fruity on the nose but lacking the delicate nuance of the better Tripels.

Flavor follows the nose, again offering some yeast notes that are a bit to buried in the sweet delivery. Lightly spicy and with a chalky graininess. Finish is less viscous than expected, allowing for a decent drinkability. Overall the beer has no notable flaws yet lacks the subtle nuance I look for in the style, being a bit too buttery, likely from the yeast or yeast conditions.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 03:32:11 | More by HalfFull

KajII

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

[Best served in a Trappist glass]

The pour was a cloudy almost murky medium yellow-orange that had an average sized (1-2 fingers) white creamy head that lasted a little while leaving behind some nice foamy residue creating a decent amount of lacing that lasted throughout.
The aroma was nice and enticing with a mild grain malt, a nice flowery hop and a sweet moldy yeast with obvious notes of banana, honey, orange and a mild peppery spiciness with just a tinge of alcohol.
The first sip tasted ever so lightly sweet with a nice dose of honey and a hint of citrus. Although as the flavor progressed it became quite a bit more appealing with a little bit of sour setting in and a nice strong yeasty flavor. Towards the end I noticed notes of banana, some spiciness and a nice alcohol warming sensation that allowed the flavor to stay with you for a decent amount of time.
Mouthfeel was light to medium in body with the texture starting out rather creamy but shifting to a dry finish with a mild carbonation.
Overall a smooth aromatic blending of malts, yeast and spices giving this beer a tremendous flavor.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 19:50:25 | More by KajII

TheHoppiest

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into an oversized snifter. Pours a hazy gold color that seems to glow with ambient light. A white head presents upon pouring, but quickly reduces to a mere shadow.

Has a fruity, spicy aroma that is somewhat muted. Somewhat peppery, with hints of lemon and floral notes.

Pleasanty fruity, mildly malty and yeasty, with abundant floral notes and a gentle bitter hop ending.

Medium bodied, with a mildly dry ending. Very smooth and easy drinking.

This beer is much nicer tasting than I imagined it would be. Great Divide did a nice job on this beer, and I would gladly have it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 00:03:47 | More by TheHoppiest

Beer4Baltimore

Maryland

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22 ounce bomber
A - hazy gold with a thin head but significant lacing.
S - yeasty spices overlayed on grains.
T - yeasty sweet grain with a distinctive hoppy grapefruit finish.
M - feels heavy but the good carbonation really moves things along.
D - one bomber will bomb you for awhile.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2011 04:57:49 | More by Beer4Baltimore

welldigger888

South Carolina

3.68/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from growler into my 2010 NCAA Baseball National Champions Univ. of South Carolina Gamecocks shaker pint!!!Nice crystal clear bright straw golden color w/ snow white head that faded quickly leaving a nice lace.

Fruity grainy & boozey with some hints of honey

Fairly approuchable for the style, crisp maltiness and fruity yeast that seem to have a well done hop bitterness vaguely there till the end. The nice sweet malt seems to play well with the fruity yeast & the hop seems to leave a dry finish.

Well done on carbonation, not getting in the way of the flavor profile.

Good stuff, prolly not a first choice but well done. Gives me rosey cheeks 1/2 way through, Holiday beer here for me.

Serving type: growler

04-04-2011 00:47:58 | More by welldigger888

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Straw yellow and somewhat hazy. Head was decent but faded quickly, leaving decent lacing.

Smell is of yeast, spices, cloves, pepper, sweet fruits, with a tinge of alcohol.

Taste is a bit odd but within the style for sure. Earthy yeast flavors dominate, along with some graininess, cloves and pepper. Alcohol is noticeable.

Feel is medium and slick, with a sweet, yeasty aftertaste and low bitterness.

Drinks average. It's ok but as far as tripels go, I'm not that impressed.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2011 00:10:46 | More by AlCaponeJunior

stercomm

Ohio

4.2/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

650ML Bottle

Pour is golden with a hazy touch to it. Small head that dissipates quickly.

Smell - initially got bread and lemons then went almost to pineapples.

Mouth feel is medium good carbonation

Taste - will agree with some others, starts out with a nice sweetness, moves to a tartness and then finishes very dry - I like this a lot.

All in all a very nice pour, for whatever reason I feel this beer would be awesome with a spicy Chinese dish

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2011 22:01:34 | More by stercomm

obywan59

Virginia

4.22/5  rDev +12.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

650 ml bottle into my St. Bernadus oversized wine glass.

Yellow-gold to golden and translucent. 1 finger white head that dissipated rapidly. Kind of looks like pineapple juice when held up to a bright light.

Wow, smells really bready and sweet with a lemony aroma as well. Like a lemon flavored cake. Later I got less lemon and more tropical fruit like pineapple. 2nd pour is even more bready.

Sweet up front, then some spicy Belgian yeast. Bitter hops stand out in the end.

This is listed as medium-bodied, but to me it seems really full and luscious. Give the first glass a 5 for mouthfeel. The 2nd glass seemed way more carbonated and prickly. Nice, but more ordinary, give it a 4. Alcohol is buffered well by the body, but there is still a descent burn in the throat.

I really like this beer. It starts out as a sweet brew which I generally prefer, but ends up more on the dry side with some light tartness.
An excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2011 05:12:06 | More by obywan59

jsh420

Illinois

3.8/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

bottled aug 27 2010

pours cloudy golden yellow with a 2+ finger head that left some spotted lacing

smell was very faint - all i could detect was yeast

taste was so much better then the nose - bready banana a little must in the yeast but over all solid flavor

mouthfeel was a medium body with good carbonation that gave it a crisp and creamy feel

drinkability very easy drinking for a 9+ abv beer - light clean flavors - i just wish this was in 12oz bottles

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 01:59:44 | More by jsh420

beersensei305

Florida

3.18/5  rDev -15%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Bottled Aug 14, 2009.. So I imagine the flavors are different.

Dark golden amber head foams up big foamy dissipates after the first sip

The smell is yeasty with some citrus/fruity.. Like pasteurized apple juice

The taste is yeasty, bready and sweet mellow overall no spice like Chimay. More pronounced malt but still mellow.

Medium bodied nice carbonization 

This beer was pretty damn good, I'd have it again- especially since this bottle was over a year old I would like to try the original flavors. 

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 20:11:50 | More by beersensei305

bierguru

Florida

2.42/5  rDev -35.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 1.5

bottle aged a year

A -
apple juic in color thick soapy head laces out fairly quick

S -
yeast spciy and yet sweetish maybe honey or apple

T -
yeast spice spice is mild almost sour backend is sweet

M -
light and drys the mouth out

D -
the beer was aged a year so it maybe why it has such a poor review but dont care for it

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2010 20:02:52 | More by bierguru

McCrae

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- a Yellow straw-like color, smaller head

S- sweet, lightly citrusy mixed with yeast

T- yeast and slightly hoppy, very much like it smells with an overall citrus vibe

M- very carbonated, slightly oily

D- overall good but the citrusy taste and oily feel make it a little much for more than a bottle in a night.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2010 03:25:39 | More by McCrae

dragonWhale

New York

4.4/5  rDev +17.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

bottled 8/14/09. beautiful gold, can see the bubbles through the liquid when i hold it aloft to marvel of its glory.
peppery, little bit of alcohol, some spice, slight citric acid. tastes just slightly sweet, spicy, peppery with a nice alcohol base. smooth and very easy. very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2010 02:14:49 | More by dragonWhale

InebriatedJoker

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 650ml bottle - bottle date Aug 27 2010

Poured a nice cloudy straw color,two finger head that quickly dissipated leaving thin lacing , lots of bubbles and strangely lot's of floater's.

Smell - Hints of apples ,light citrus and slight malts.

Taste - The sweet fruits hit you immediately,decent maltyness to balance the sweetness,slight hops are evident as well.

Drinkability - a very drinkable craft brew, have you hugged a monk today ?

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2010 17:19:30 | More by InebriatedJoker

siradmiralnelson

Iowa

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

Poured from 22oz bottle into Tulip glass.

A. 2 finger head. Color is hazy golden. Good lacing. Good retention.

s. Yeast, spice, leomony fruity smell. A bit of corriander. Little bit of hop bitterness. Smell is heavy on the yeast aroma.

T. Taste is good. Fairly dry. Yeast and spice come out in the flavor profile just like the aroma. Some pears and other light fruit. Nice balance.

M. Finishes pretty dry. Medium bodied. Medium carbonation.

D. Very drinkable. This one actually surprised me a bit. Really liked the flavor. Semi-sweet with a dry finish. Good American made Tripel.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2010 02:48:41 | More by siradmiralnelson