Trade Winds Tripel - The Bruery

MoreThanWine

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +24.1%
look: 3 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Wow! I had my doubts about this one and even put off trying it at home. Brewed with Thai Basil huh? And rice, hey I've had a rice beer and I didn't like it. Well have no fear folks. This is just outstanding.

The 1st pour was all head and took a while to dissipate. Hazy yellow color (I'd been afraid it might be green, hah). Bouquet and flavor are very rich and complex. Sure there's a slight hint of basil but it's subtle. What I think their addition to the brewing really achieves is a sort of oppulent and rich mouthfeel not unlike that flavor pop you get from a bite of good pesto. It's sweet, it's satisfying, it's a beer that demands your attention with every sip and could stand up to and accompany a bold flavored meal.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2010 12:21:43 | More by MoreThanWine

Immortale25

Florida

4.88/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a Delirium Tremens snifter.

A- Heavy pshh! as I pop the cap and some steam-like vapor rises from the bottle's mouth. Pours a solid amber color with a nearly three finger fluffy head that retains and trickles down at a slow, steady pace. Soap-like bubbles without a whole lot of lacing.

S- Floral, sweet aroma with hints of lemon. Perfumey and full with some notes of sugary bread, fruitcake and...ok I'm done trying to analyze these smells because they're just too layered and complex. All I can say is "Wow. This is like nothing I've smelled before."

T- Whoo! Once again, I literally feel that an analysis of the flavor will not do it justice. I will say that I definitely detect some honey blossom that is light on the palate. Yes, I do get the Thai basil notes as well as some rosemary and maybe some thyme but it's all interconnected in such an interwoven frame that it forms its own unique, savory flavor. The sweetness is definitely there but it's subdued enough to let some malt through. Alcohol is quite well hidden.

M- High carbonation is bursting and fizzing as I swish, making it actually hard to keep contained in my mouth. It goes with the rest of the extreme elements of the beer very well, though.

O- Oh...my...God... I think I've found a new top ten favorite beer. This one just about reinvents the style. All I can say is..."DAMN!"

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 03:51:26 | More by Immortale25

csrbv

Pennsylvania

4.81/5  rDev +21.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

A- Pours a light amber color with fluffy head that reduces down at a slow, steady pace. Little tight bubbles without a whole lot of lacing.--beautiful!

S- Floral, sweet aroma with hints of lemon. Very tough to analyze all these smells because they're just too layered and complex.

T- Very light on the palate. The sweetness is definitely there but it's subdued enough to let some malt through. Alcohol is very well hidden.

M- High carbonation is bursting and fizzing as I swish, making it actually hard to keep contained in my mouth. It goes with the rest of the extreme elements of the beer very well, though.

O- Outstanding!!! I think I've found a new top ten favorite beer. Very balanced and subtle unlike most Tripels.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 13:03:18 | More by csrbv

MiScusi

California

4.7/5  rDev +19%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at The Bruery. Had a couple tasters, then a full glass. Classic cloudy golden with a big foamy head. The aroma isn't as much the standard huge Belgian earthiness you usually get, though it does have some of that. It's really more fruity, sugary, sweet. The taste is very light, with only mild earthiness but mostly light fruits such as apples, pears etc. Mouthfeel was on the lighter side, but I have no problem with that, it's an easy tripel to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2008 19:24:54 | More by MiScusi

strewthday

4.68/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance (4.5): Awesome! Poured into a Duvel tulip glass. Orange-gold amber hue, slight haze. Huge head, almost chalk white. Great retention/lacing. Head dissipates and turns rocky, and I almost don’t want to drink it because it looks so good. Steady stream of bubbles from the bottom center of the glass continue to add to the head.

Smell (4): Vanilla, butterscotch, perfectly ripe tomatoes, Belgian yeast, slight ginger, lemon, basil, slight strawberry and banana. Slight herbal hop, immediately combated by the savory malt and yeast.

Taste/Mouth-feel (5): Strong vanilla, prickly esters, slight herbal/medicinal bitterness, mostly similar to the smell. The basil comes through just slightly, as do the butterscotch and tomato. Slightly salty, not a bad thing. Great viscosity, only just barely sticky. The carbonation pops and prickles just so to bring out the most delicate flavors, including cardamom and coriander. Honeysuckle and sandalwood in the finish.

Overall: Excellent! A very experimental example of the style. This one ventures just enough out of the box that it is exploratory, yet remains true to its roots and does not compromise any integrity for experimentation. Highly recommended for any fan of Belgian Strong Pale Ales and/or Tripels.

Pairs with any Asian style stir fry. Fermented foods, spicy fare, and nutty cheeses. Also, a good, fresh salad never hurts to bring out the earthy textures and tastes hidden within a beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2012 13:23:24 | More by strewthday

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.65/5  rDev +17.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Clouded, rusty gold, showing a bit clearer at the edges. Triumphant, exuberant head, snowy white, lacy.

Beautifully fragrant, lightly spicy, floral, airy, with lemony traces. Gorgeous.

Drinking, the loveliness lives on. Lean-bodied, snappy, plenty of spicy tricks playing on the palate. Very lively, with marvelous Belgian yeast flavor adding another dimension of deliciousness. Citrus fruit factor grows larger, and candy sugar sweetness climbs in to match it. Just stays vibrant and tasty all the way through the bottle.

Great match for thai food, I'm sure. Don't know, I had it with Chinese. Worked there, too. Excellent tripel. Is simply everything they make this good or better?

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2011 04:15:33 | More by feloniousmonk

ikantspel

California

4.63/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ml served into a duvel tulip

pours a golden honey color with a monster head...5 minutes till head finally dies down enough

sweet belgian candy, yeast, and orange peel

taste follows the nose, maybe a little sweeter, pretty dry but leaves this wow aftertaste of pear and some of the basil.

i was little apprehensive about this but this tripel was top notch

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2011 04:28:04 | More by ikantspel

gboy515duo

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +16.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Draft on tap poured into a sniffer at Pinnochio's Pizza Pub in Media, PA.

Pours a goldenrod, as previously stated somewhat honey colored, with a gigantic head, as expected, off-white. At first smell, it had a very citrusy and woody aroma, definitely accented by both lemons and oranges or tangerines, smelling mostly of zest. There was a very piney smell, and of course the obvious spice.

When first tasted, the pine hit first, orange coming after. This brew is extremely woody, but in a good way. It's extremely noticable, but masked enough by the scents to make you feel like you're chewing on bark. The hops are most prevalent at the beginning stages of drinking this beer, but slowly go away as the fruity undertones take over as the spices slowly emasculate the brew.

The lemon stays present throughout the drinking, orange only coming when you look for it as you get about halfway through. The spices and basil are the biggest contenders as far as big flavor hitters go.

The mouthfeel is very smooth and light, with a quick bite right before and after yous wallow. It's a dry beer, but not too dry to make you feel parched and requiring water, but definitely dry enough to make you yearn for more. This shows that this tripel from The Bruery is perfect for summer nights on the patio.

I could probably drink this beer all night long. At 8.10% ABV, i barely got a hint that it was that alcoholic. The only time i realized it was after i was finished, the warming sensation in my chest started to sink in. It wasn't exactly very up front like most tripels or quads.

Overall, it was a very light beer, heavy on taste, that hits hard at the end with the basil.

To prove The Bruery's point, i actually had a grain of rice in my beer tonight. A single grain was floating on top when i received the beverage. The rice mash proved to work well with the strong basil & citrus flavors. This is definitely something I would drink if it were around my neck of the woods more often.

Serving type: on-tap

07-16-2010 03:34:49 | More by gboy515duo

mlazzaro

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +15.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Capped 750ml champagne bottle.
High carbonation. Hazy deep yellow color. Some of the fluffiest foam head I've ever seen, great retention and lacing action. (appealing bottle as well).
It seemed like the three of us responded to the smell immediately when the bottle was popped. Not over the top spice as I feared, but bright malt and what I think is wheat aroma. And complex yeast character as well. Really nice smell. Carbonation level helps push aromatics.
Taste is mild, very Saison-like. Light malts and grainy flavor - good yeast and mild spice. Basil almost taste sweet and end of sip. Refreshing!
Fuller mouthfeel than I expect on a triple. Potentially from using rice as adjunct instead of usual beet sugar. I like it, just not to style as I'm used to it. Sip does have a interesting acidic feel, and yet still very smooth. Booze is quite well hidden. Everyone enjoyed and wanted more.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2011 19:29:52 | More by mlazzaro

scruffwhor

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +14.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The color is a nice copper and amber mix with a little hazey to it. The bubbling is awesome while the head is equally awesome in its off-white coloring and then fizzles to nothing.

Very yeasty, fruity aroma of pears and apricots. Add to this a very light spicey herbal aroma from either the hops, basil, or both. Plus a little toasted bread crust nuance to the mix as well.

I've got to say, this beer went well with my beer steamed mussels. A little spice note that helps offset the sweet, candi like nature of this Belgian's yeast. Summer fruits abound the palate upfront, while some American hopping and maybe some basil say "not too much" with the sweetness. The carbonation can really be felt throughout the entire palate.

The finish is clean, sweet, and just a little ricey. This is an awesome tripel that only needs a little doctoring on the appearance to be one of the best!

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2010 19:38:28 | More by scruffwhor

specksnreds

Texas

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

Look, ma, it's a tripel made with rice! It's gonna taste like Bud Lite, except it doesn't. It taste like AWESOME. It tastes like what winners drink. It smells like banana nut bread after you goldenly pour it into your snifter. And the head rises like a summer thunderstorm's anvil head. It has POWER! Tropical fruity flavors shoot out from all directions like heat lightning. Zapping you with a tartness too, and the occasional zap of a hop or two. The rice is light and fluffy on the tongue like a (cloud analogy).

It's not a tripel, it's its own (violent weather analogy) of aromatics. Superb.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2012 23:42:09 | More by specksnreds

jtierney89

New Jersey

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

Rice and thai Basil? Asian inspired tripel? okay.

Super hazed deep orange glow with a massive sticky and craggy bright white head. Smells like a traditional Belgian tripel, lots of spice, clove touches of coriander and faint banana and bubblegum.

Taste is nice, unique and refreshing. Starts with sweet bready malts and rides into bright fruit; banana, citrus, dried apples, slight fruity pebbles. Basil tart like sweetness hits mid palate with a touch of spice. Finishes dry with a lingering apple after taste. Some spice and touches of alcohol on the finish. Extremely clean though for such a big hazy beer. Even has slight tannins.

An amazing and deeply complex tripel with an amazing amount of layers. Dangerously tasty as well (What 8%?)

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2012 04:08:37 | More by jtierney89

PBoegel

New York

4.47/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 capped bottle poured into a Duvel Tulip, roughly 40 degrees.

Poured with a very effervescent cream white head that sticks. Body is gold to orange but hazy.

Aroma is lemon pepper, licorice and hints of orange/grapefruit. No perceptible hopping. Some fresh cut pineapple notes as it warms (not like you find from hops, but literally fresh cut pineapple slices).

Flavor is dry malt upfront upfront, licorice and dried oranges and apricot. Also dried pineapple, not quite like the pineapple notes in the aroma, more sugary sweet.

Mouthfeel is dry in the finish, near chalkly (I absolutely love tripels this way) very effervescent cleansing the palate. This beer would go fantastic with a well brined Turkey, Duck or Glazed ham.

Extremely drinkable.

Overall, style wise this beer reminds me very much of many Saisons I have had, especially Saisons that have spice additions for flavoring. Hard to tell if the yeast played a huge role in the flavor profile or worked in conjunction with the Thai Basil addition. Either way it is a really delicious and worth seeking out beer. I might hesitate to call it a Tripel, and in BJCP land might argue it is out of style, but as a beer of Belgian style it is completely fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2009 00:51:26 | More by PBoegel

dmunroe

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cellered for about 9 months
750ml Bottle - Poured into DF Snifter -

Appearance - Was a little surprised on the color of the pour comapred to what a Tripel is normally - Had a Darker Copper Appearance and Head was bright white.

Smell - Stong fruit smell with a hint of clove? -
Taste - Fruity and a little funky for a Tripel but a real good mouthfeel - Tasted Basil, Banana and Orange the most with a hint of clove.

Overall a really good version of a Tripel - Top Notch from the Family Rue =
Well done -

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2010 02:21:01 | More by dmunroe

MadScientist

New York

4.44/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

A: A slightly hazy orange hued, medium amber. The rocky white head is long lasting and enthusiastic.

S: Medium-high esters orange and a moderate basil dominate the aroma. Moderately-light pepper and light clove phenols with a light malt sweetness.

T: There is an orange to peach like fruitiness with a pepper bite and moderate bitterness. A light malt and honey-like sweetness come out in the middle with an off-dry finish and a little hot. There is a moderately-light basil flavor and moderate spiciness. The balance is towards the bitter an aftertaste of honey and hops bitterness.

M: Moderate bodied with a moderately-high carbonation. There is a chile pepper like bit in the back of the throat. Kind of viscous but the high carbonation gives the impression of a lighter body. Moderate alcohol warmth, no creaminess and a light astringency.

O: This review was from my notes with no overall impression.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2013 03:00:54 | More by MadScientist

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle purchased as a single from Julio's, Westboro, MA.

Poured into a Dogfish Head tulip, formed a 1 1/2" off-white head over the clear coppery amber brew. Head continues to rise, sno-coning above the rim, but the vigorous bubbling finally abates somewhat, with tons of chunky lacing. Aroma is sweet and lightly spicy. Taste is sweet upfront, spicy yeasts in the middle, and a tea-like flavor at the close with some light warming. Mouthfeel is smooth, very clean, and drinkability is excellent. Very nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2010 01:24:39 | More by ppoitras

Mora2000

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to djrn2 for sending me this bottle.

The beer pours a hazy orange-amber color with a white head. Looks about like a tripel is supposed to look.

The aroma is outstanding. I get a load of wheat and Asian basil as well as some nice fruit notes. There is also a nice Belgian yeast aroma and some muddled spices.

The flavor is just as good if not better. I get a lot of wheat and lemons, along with some cherries. The yeast and basil are once again present and compliment the other flavors very well. The beer is somewhat dry and is very easy to drink.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. One of the best American-made tripels I have drank.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 01:25:45 | More by Mora2000

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a slightly hazy golden-orange with a finger of frothy off-white head. The head fades down very slowly leaving behind some thick lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of Belgian yeast, lemon, some funk, and some basil. There is also a bit of funkiness, some vegetable, banana, biscuit, and clove.

T - Starts off with some lemon, Belgian yeast esters, banana, touch of clove, and and farmhouse funkiness. Through the middle, some basil and vegetable flavors come through with some biscuit notes. The finish is a mix of yeast esters, lemon, other light fruits, some tartness, and some lingering basil.

M - Medium bodied with fairly heavy carbonation. Feels smooth with an estery, sweet, and lightly dry finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really full and complex flavors with everything coming together really nicely. The balance of the traditional Belgian flavors with the Basil and other ingredients is excellent.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2012 03:47:17 | More by ngeunit1

ElijahCSkuggs

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Trade Winds Tripel....doesn't that just sound nice? Here's hoping it tastes as good to the mouth as it does to the ears.

Whoa mama! Now that's what I call a head. I don't think my glass was dirty but even a slow pour produced a huge, fluffy head that's sticking all over the place. A warming, foggy amber hue, and what we have here is a beautiful looking Tripel.

Once again my inability to smell small details because of my polyps is hurting me. But if I take my time I can distinguish some things. For one, it has that Tripel, belgian candy smell. Floral, slight spice and just refreshing.

Awesome. This is the type of Tripel that I yearn for. A beer that immediately delivers that Tripel feel - a dry, sweet bite that delivers immediately, and maintains a candy-like aftertaste for the long haul. This also has some nice citrus notes to it as well. The feel is medium bodied, smooth, and delicioso.

There's no doubt in my mind that I'll be coming back to this beer. I love the style, and The Bruery brued up a serious brue with this one. Good times.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2011 21:09:59 | More by ElijahCSkuggs

DoubleJ

California

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A tripel with rice and Thai basil? Summer fun indeed! Recently purchased from The Bruery itself, on to the beer:

Poured into an oversized wine glass, this is very heady and carbonated. A big sticky billowy head sits on top this hard to resist golden color. The aromas are a treat. I smell the soft Thai basil, then comes in mandarin orange and other subtle aromas.

Expect a sensation of bubbly at it first enters your mouth. Surpriningly light in the mouth, yet full of flavor (once you get past the carbonation). This tripel has the ripe fruits flavor of other ones, though less of it, but has the unique spices working in its favor. Nutty towards the back. I think I can even sense the rice that was used in the beer. Lighly spiced aftertaste.

It's always a pleasure for me to drink my favorite Belgian style of beer. Even better to have it uniquely flavored with Asian spices unlike other tripels. But best would be parading in the streets of Pattaya with a Thai woman in one hand and a Trade Winds Tripel in the other.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2008 04:32:35 | More by DoubleJ

JohnQVegas

Tennessee

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

64 oz counter-pressure filled growler from Bierkraft.

Pours straw with a bit of orange peeking through, lightly hazy, fluffy one-fingered head that settles into a thin cap. Nice stickage.

Nose is lots of clove, yeast and pale malts combine for a bit of breadiness, golden fruits are subtle but there. Yeast is the biggest part of this one, but nicely done.

Notes of clove, bready pale malt with notes of honey, pears, hint of light citrus peel. Spicy yeast carries the finish, with more notes of pear and apricot coming out. Off-dry but full. Basil comes out in the finish, but is very subtle - I don't know that I would have put my finger on it if I didn't already know it was there. The substitution of rice for sugar makes a difference, this is lighter and a bit crisper than I expected for it's style and ABV. I really like the taste with this one. Lighter than expected, but in a good way - still full and delicious, but easily drinkable on a hot day. Very nicely done.

Mouthfeel is light and a bit fluffy on feel, medium-full body. Beautifully fits the flavor.

Drinkability is exemplary for the style. Lighter than expected, very flavorful, crisp and perfect for summer.

Serving type: growler

06-12-2009 22:32:44 | More by JohnQVegas

timtim

District of Columbia

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

what a nice brew. hazy dark golden straw color with a cream color head that fizzes a million bubbles a minute while rising and then settles down to a thin web. nose is minty, earthy, herbal basil as well as green apple bubblegum, orange gatorade, banana and a whole host of spicy scents that are typical of belgian yeast strains and asian cuisine. clove, white pepper, cardamom, corriander, cumin. they say basil and rice are the only ingredients besides the usual suspects, so the yeast strain must be particularly spicy. light medium body with what seems to be relatively low carbonation, but the beer explodes in the mouth, creating a refreshing, spritziness. great effort. outstanding representation of what we can do here in america. i'd like another please.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2009 00:00:48 | More by timtim

syrupjoe

Minnesota

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into snifter. Pours a hazy deep gold color with two finger bone colored head. Enjoying in the comforts of home after painting all day.

The nose on this is incredible. Notes of mango, juicy apricot, apple cider, tomato, and light basil spice. Very well-rounded and deep.

Taste: Basil, lemon, pepper, apple, light honey, slight biscuit.

Very fruity aftertaste that finishes quickly. Moderate to high carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel.

Overall a very interesting beer. Lots of fruity notes as well as slight vegetal tomato taste as well as basil. Very well-rounded and a unique take on the style. Highly recommended, would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2012 02:43:39 | More by syrupjoe

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

A-orange golden with a decent amount of bubbles and a thick frothy white head

S-strong scent of pale spicy belgian spices and malts. just a very strong thorough scent with hints of banana.

T-comes in with a refreshing flavor of pale belgian malts and spices with a hint of banana and cereal. it's a flavor that fills the mouth. has a certain bitterness to it. light but with a warming after-taste. this is a very savory beer!

M-heavy carbonation with a dry finish, much like I'd expect from a tripel from Belgium

O-this is an extremely drinkable beer, maybe the most drinkable tripel i have ever had. the flavors are all there with out any off-flavors. it's not unique in any way. it's just a nice example of a good style. to be honest, you might want to have this bottle all to yourself.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2013 01:29:05 | More by AdamBear

VaRy

California

4.38/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Okay, so in all fairness this is a "Belgian Style Adjunct Ale", isn't it?

Pale, warm yellow with a just a hint of orange. Nice, long lasting head. Floral and spicy aroma, slightly hoppy, I sense more parsley than basil, certainly some puffed rice, and a bit of a fruity note, reminiscent of honeydew melon. The beer is rather highly carbonated, and would benefit from slightly lower than usual serving temperature, I'd say 40-45 degrees.

Overall, a good summer brew which works well with seafood dishes, salads and Asian flavors. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 05:55:16 | More by VaRy