Trade Winds Tripel - The Bruery

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev +0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bomber, poured into a Bruery tulip.

A: Pours a bright hazy color that is surprisingly opaque for its color. A huge frothy white head rests on top of it. Picture-perfect.

S: Banana bread and yeast dominate the nose. A touch of clove is subtly present in the background. Everything is present, but not at an overpowering volume.

T: The clove is considerably stronger in the flavor profile than it was in the nose. Yeasty bready flavors are present throughout. There is a butterscotch like sweetness in here as well, as if little pieces of banana had been thoroughly coated in butterscotch on all sides. The booze is indiscernible here, although at 8.1% this is a little low for the style.

M: Light and lively, great carbonation, and lots of sticky sugars left behind after the finish.

D/O: Although "triple" isn't my favorite style, this is probably one of my fav examples. It has a sharpness that is kind of a punch in the face, and a complexity of flavors that is really enjoyable. I don't want this "every day", but I do enjoy it on occasion. I've had it before and I will have it again.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 23:07:29 | More by psuKinger

flexabull

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a bright and hazy gold color with a large rocky white head.

Aromas are spicy and floral, Some lemon zest, basil, yeast, and grassy notes as well.

Taste is creamy up front, lightly sweet, with notes of lemon zest, basil, spicy yeast, with some notes of hard candies. Finish is crisp and clean, with really mild citrus bitterness.

Mouthfeel is smooth with good body and nice carbonation.

Overall this is a tasty beer. An odd twist on the Tripel style, I'll enjoy finishing this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2012 05:22:31 | More by flexabull

TomTwanks

Ohio

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

P - Poured from a 750 mL bottle into a Bruery tulip glass. Huge huge champagne like head. Almost annoying at one moment.

A - Dark orange golden color with a eggshell colored head. Pretty typical for a tripel.

S- Alot is going on in these aromas. I'm getting that classic belgium yeast upfront, a little bit of bananas, raw biscuit batter, vinegar. Some herbal smells...can't tell ya what they are but I know they are there!

T - Smooth, no bite from the hops (as to be excepted) It pretty much follows my nose, minus the vinegar and add a little character of black pepper.

M - Light in the mouth. very smooth.

O - a decent tripel. Nothing to go crazy about but I would drink it again. I hope to see more from The Bruery in my parts of town!

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2012 02:31:01 | More by TomTwanks

bashiba

Iowa

3.7/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured very typical Bruery, Clean and clear golden orange with a monster long lasting head, a solid 6-8 inches worth in my tulip after a very slow and gentle pour.

The smell is very nice, sweet and citrusy with a touch of coriander and belgian yeast.

The flavor is nicely complex, has a very light malty flavor with a light bit of spices, the basil gives it a very green herbal quality and counterbalances the sweetness very nicely. Has just a touch of tartness coming through with a lightly spicy and grassy bit hop bitterness poking through as well as a bit of metallicy finish. Overall the basil gives this beer a very vegetal quality thats a bit strange.

The mouthfeel is very dry and clean.

A good yet odd tripel.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2012 01:53:14 | More by bashiba

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

2.7/5  rDev -31.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

First had: on tap at TJ's, Paoli, PA

A huge cloud of head filled the glass from the tap, and it took at least five minutes for the beer to settle before I could get a full pour of this. Once it did settle, I was presented with a tulip glass of clear golden yellow liquid, with a delicate white head that almost completely disappeared. (What happened?) Aroma of subdued sweet malts, spicy yeast, funk, basil. Taste...started out okay, much like any typical tripel, with notes of sweet malts, fruity esters, and spicy yeast. Mid-palate brought on a huge wave of stale funk, basil, and overripe tomatoes. A softer pear-like flavor comes in near the end to take the edge off, but I had a whole glass of this stuff to get through, and that was just one sip. Whew. Medium body, pretty chewy, somewhat good at times, but overall, just not very drinkable at all.

Serving type: on-tap

01-07-2012 13:50:34 | More by Rifugium

superspak

Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into chalice, summer 2011 bottle. Pours crystal clear golden straw color with a huge 2 finger dense off white head with incredible retention that reduces to a thick cap that lasts. Some nice soapy lacing clings to the glass as well; with plenty of carbonation streaming up from the bottom. Aromas of huge apple, lemon, pear, pepper, basil, strawberry, and spicy yeast. Fantastic aromas with great balance and strength. Taste of big apple, pear, lemon, clove, pepper, basil, light bread, tart grains, other light fruits, and spicy yeast. Lingering notes of apple, citrus, pepper, basil, and yeast spice on the finish for a bit. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a slightly creamy and incredibly smooth mouthfeel. Hardly any alcohol presence at 8.1% other than a slight warming after the finish. Great balance of all flavors, with the basil not being overpowering at all. Overall this is an incredible and extremely unique American made Tripel. Interesting mix of fruitiness; with very balanced flavors and easy drinking.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2012 04:17:04 | More by superspak

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.88/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours out a beautiful golden honey color with a big billowy white head that just refuses to subside. There is a ton of lacing as it drinks.

S: This beer smells a bit stinky. I'm picking up some really earthy notes in here. There is also a nice spice to this beer. It's very unique. In fact, I've never had a beer brewed with basil.

T: Starts off sweet and spicy. It's mellow, but there is an obvious spice to this beer. The taste of basil is hard to pull out directly, but I would assume that that is what I am tasting. The finish sticks with the spice, but adds a touch of sweet honey and just the tiniest touch of alcohol. Interesting, for sure.

M: Light bodied beer. It starts out wet, but finishes a bit dry. There is a bit of lingering spice on the palate after drinking.

O: I picked this beer up because it sounded interesting. I'd never had a beer brewed with basil before. And it totally delivered. I think it's an easy drinking triple with tons of wackiness in there.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2011 22:40:38 | More by trxxpaxxs

Brenden

Ohio

3.93/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one is plaer than I expect for some reason, and I think it's just because I haven't had a tripel in so long. A nearly white head starts off very large and fluffy off a lovely and prolonged cascade effect, and it's one thick pillow before it settles down to nearly two fingers. It leaves very nice lacing down the glass. The cascade really keeps going the entire time I'm drinking this beer.
This is a pretty good, standard tripel aroma (albeit a little light) as far as the Belgian yeast evident in a lightly dusty note with some bubble gum sweetness. It's a little different with a distinctive herbal edge to it and something I couldn't quite place before I realized it was like basil leaf and then I noticed it was brewed with it. It takes a little off of the sweeter aspects toward the drier and obviously more herbal side. Alcohol is evident but not powerful.
The basil comes out in here as well, but the finer, more attenuated points are more strongly emphasized as well, making the flavor work a little better. Belgian yeast is evident with just a bit of candied sugar sweetness that isn't overdone, gentle spiciness and light fruits underneath the pale malts. Alcohol is well-masked here.
This body is interesting one, quite light but velvety smooth with a big filling creaminess. Carbonation is heavy but avoids spritziness and flows well.
This is an interesting take, but a good beer is a good beer. Any more basil would have thrown this way off, but I think The Bruery did a good job with keeping it level.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2011 04:25:54 | More by Brenden

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.03/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml, 2011 bottle. I have had this one for a few months, but just cracked it to share with the wife. A beer that SHE wanted to try, which is a big step. Poured into DFH signature glass.

A: Pours a clear yellowish orange. Tons of carbonation! Two big fingers of fluffy white head. Sticky. Stays around a while. Great bottle conditioning boys.

S: Very interesting nose. Different than anything I have smelled before. You almost get some funk on the initial smell. Belgian yeast for sure. And a little bit of basil. Some lemon or other citrus. And some grainy notes.

T: Enjoyed this one with sushi, and ruined palate with sriracha. Perfect pairing though, and never would have thought that for a "Tripel". Actually light and delicious. Great carbonation helps to hide the higher ABV. You get some interesting flavor from the Rice and Thai basil. The Belgian yeast notes are there too.

M: Light to medium bodied, like others on here have noted. Carbonation helps really clear the palate.

O: This was a nice surprise for a release that was easy to find. A- grade and a wife that actually enjoyed it.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 16:42:23 | More by inlimbo77

KAP1356

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Reviewed from notes. 750 ml bottle poured into a Weyerbacher tulip...

A - Pours a clear, slightly lighter amber color that reminds me ofa lighter pure maple syrup color. A big, billowy, frothy, white head forms about 3 fingers thick. Retention is very good.

S - Sweet grains and a subtle spiciness out front. The basil actually comes out a bit, but more of a mintiness than true basil. Some apricot and peach notes are noticeable also.

T - Taste really follows the smell, although the fruitiness is more pronounced. Bready, sweet malts. The rice comes through in a grainy kind of way. The basil is more subdued on the flavor than in the nose.

M - Light-medium bodied beer that edges on the medium side. A high carbonation level really makes it tingle the tongue.

O - Not too bad. It's light enough to make the drinkability nice, but still enough ofa bigger beer to get you to notice it.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2011 02:48:53 | More by KAP1356

DrewShal9

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Note: didn't know this was a summer seasonal and I'm having this in the beginning of December! Also, my first Bruery brew!
A: amber with a fluffy white head
S: very fragrant. Too many scents to gather but I smell lemon, coconut, basil, just sweet and very pleasant.
T: as the nose displays is what the tongue experienced. Tastes great, really hard to explain but this is awesome stuff.
M: effervescence tingles the tongue consistently explodes .
O: try it, you won't be disappointed and I feel this would go well with Thai food.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2011 06:27:12 | More by DrewShal9

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

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

RickS95

Indiana

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looks like watered down orange Kool Aid. The head is extrememly thick with different sized bubbles. As the thick head dies a bit, the middle just sinks, leaving white lace on the glass.

Very good rendition of a Belgian brew. The funky, fruity yeast is almost spot on and the basil is every so slightly present. A nice combination.

You can taste the carbonation. It's an effervescent fruity flavor, with the Thai basil providing some savory balance in the swallow.

It's very, very similar to a Belgian, just slightly more carbonated. Medium bodied with a slight bite of acid. Very dry in the finish.

One of the better American plays on a Belgian beer. The Thai basil isn't really necessary, but does add a bit of character.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2011 04:25:42 | More by RickS95

peacehammer

California

3.03/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Reviewed from memory.

An interesting beer, featuring a ton of unique ingredients (unusual for them I know)

The rice and thai basil give this beer an interesting complexion. An all around easy summer beer. I had my growler filled with it, it's likely a different experience entirely from a bottle.

Serving type: growler

11-22-2011 05:38:37 | More by peacehammer

zaphodchak

Virginia

3.73/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Large fluffy white head that becomes coarse and recedes into some mild retention with decent lace. Straw-colored body.

Nose has berry, strawberry and faint lemon.

Taste is rather spicy, some funk (I've had this bottle a few months), and some of the berry from the nose.

Mouthfeel becomes too foamy; impacts taste some.

Good, but better when on draft (and possibly fresher).

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2011 04:44:19 | More by zaphodchak

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

PintOHops

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Glass - Tulip

A - Straight up honey colored brew with a massive 4-5 finger head that just sits there for a good while. Clarity of the beer is low to moderate and you can definitely see that there's lots of carbonation. A bit of a splotch was left on my glass.

S - Sweet honey like aroma with a general grainy aroma as well. I get a big of banana, clove, and bubble gum. Nothing out of the ordinary that I pick up in this Tripel, I don't even really get the Thai Basil.

T - Wow, it's surprisingly tart enough to make me pucker. Very dry throughout with notes of alcohol here and there. Soft clove, bubblegum and banana. Sweetness is relatively low as is the bitterness. As for the Thai Basil, I don't pick it up really, unless it's giving off a lemon like flavor.

M - Soft-medium crispness, rather creamy like and medium bodied.

O - Overall I like the beer but not because it's brewed with Thai Basil, but because it's a pretty good Tripel. I love the soft, smooth mouthfeel of the beer, I'm guessing the rice has something to do with that. Pretty good, I'm not big on the style but I'd drink it again. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 02:55:36 | More by PintOHops

JosiahS

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

glass: Tulip

A fall maple leaf color, hazy. Large 2 finger, frothy head.
Strong white grape on the aroma, champagne-like. Apple, banana, coriander, mint, old cotton clothing, orange, clove all appear as well.

The taste is tart, sweet, slightly sour and minutely alcoholic. A nice blend of yeast and malt but with the yeast contributing the majority of the flavor. peppery with a little heat on the finish. Thick but delicate mouthfeel. The basil used doesn't contribute much, it may be too close in flavor to the yeast to give off any unique flavors that aren't so subtle.

It's good.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2011 02:42:55 | More by JosiahS

flagmantho

Washington

3.9/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from 750mL bottle into a tulip.

Appearance: nice golden hue with a crystal-clear body and light effervescence. Head is 3 fingers of frothy white foam. Good stuff.

Smell: interesting, slightly spiced aroma reminiscent of a gruit. The basil comes out as almost minty over very light hints of apple. Not bad, although it's not particularly tripel-like.

Taste: the flavor works much better than the aroma. Somewhat dry for a tripel, the herbs play well with a light, dry malt flavor and some tarter apple and pear strains. The alcohol seems to be punching above the 8.1%, though -- it's a bit hot. Still, quite nice.

Mouthfeel: medium-light body with a big burst of effervescence on the tongue. Not truly creamy, but interesting nonetheless.

Overall: this is an interesting tripel. It reminds me more of a lightly-spiced dry saison than a tripel. Still, it's a pretty tasty beer and, above all else, original.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 21:43:43 | More by flagmantho

DaveBlack

Virginia

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Burnt orange beer with a full 2 1/2 finger's of fluff white head. The retention on the head isn't long, but there is a steady stream of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass which leaves a thin layer on the top. There is a fair amount of lacing on the sides as well.

S: Yeast, belgain candy sugar, biscuity malts and a bit of banana. Smells like a Belgian style.

T: Tastes pretty much like it smells. Nice and sweet with the taste of bready, sweet malts, a heavy hit of honey sweetness and the yeast. Finishes easy and leaves the mouth with coating of gentle sweet.

M: Medium bodied and heavy on the carbonation. Drinks almost like champagne, with a slightly sticky, almost chewiness to it.

O: A solid beer. The rice I can see being in there (though I wouldn't be able to prove it), but there is no hint of Thai basil. That might be a good thing, but if it's being billed as having been brewed with Thai basil i would like to be able to taste it. A good beer all the same, a nicely balanced Tripel.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2011 22:28:47 | More by DaveBlack

goblue3509

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -10.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a light yellowish golden color with a big thick three finger head. The aroma is spicy with hints of honey and citrus. The taste has a big sweet honey flavor with hints of candied yeast and spice. The mouthfeel is moderately carbonated. Overall it is a solid beer not as sweet as some triples but nice and complex.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 18:05:32 | More by goblue3509

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew poured out as a hazy looking yellow color, Really nice looking head that fluffs up quickly and laces the glass fairly well. The smell of the beer has a sweet, grainy aroma with hints of lemon in there too. The taste of the beer is light and refreshing. The mouhtfeel is soft and has it fades there is a nice little bite in the end. Overall it's a pretty good brew in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 17:18:37 | More by Knapp85

cokes

Wisconsin

3.48/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Turbid apricot hued, roiling with carbonation which feeds the huge, seemingly-neverending, off-white head. Lacing is superb.
It brings chardonnay and champagne on the nose, with a health sprinkling of pepper. A large hunk of Rock candy is also in play. Bits of dried apricot and peach arrive as it warms. Basil isn't specifically noticed, but possibly in the mix if one is sniffing for it.
The rice is noticed immediately with it's lightly sweet crispiness. It light and thin, and seemingly not capable of balancing what comes next. Fruitiness comes with melon and pear notes. Yeast adds pepper and dry, old leather funkiness (I'd have guessed some Brett was in here). Just a flicker of sweet, anise-tinged basil. Hops are floral and astringent. Or is that the alcohol? A big flare of heat explodes on the swallow, melting all the pleasant moments that preceded it.
Medium-full bodied, given perkiness by the eddies of CO2.
This carries all the peripherals of a top-notch domestic Tripel. Taste-wise (specifically, boozy heat-wise) it fails to deliver as it burns past all its nuance and charm.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2011 06:40:51 | More by cokes

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy orange-ish color with a big off white head. In the aroma, spicy basil and candy sugar. In the taste, mellow basil spice, hints of fruit and candy sugar. A smooth and medium bodied mouthfeel, with a dry spice in the aftertaste. A bit too spicy in aftertaste, decent nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2011 14:32:46 | More by OWSLEY069