La Trappe Tripel (Koningshoeven / Dominus) - Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

thehyperduck

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 mL bottle from the LCBO; caged and corked. Although I've never reviewed this until now, I have already had it three or four times, and it has always been an enjoyable quaff. But how does this compare to some of the authentic Belgian tripels I've had?

Pours a muddy golden-amber colour, opaque with sediment, and topped with two fingers of pillowy, frothy, pearl white-coloured head. The retention is below average for the style; it wilts away over the next few minutes, leaving a thin, smooth cap behind in its wake, and little in the way of lacing. The aroma definitely leans on the sweet side, with candi sugar, ripe banana, cotton candy, pears comprising its enticing odour.

Yeasty flavour with plenty of fruity notes - red apples, pear, banana, plums, white grapes and apricot all come to mind, as the orchard fruit character is a prominent fixture. The spiciness is mild; a solid bite of clove and allspice comes forward in the finish alongside some flowery hops, lingering into the yeasty aftertaste. Some slight heat from the ethanol becomes more prominent as it warms. Medium-bodied, with heavy carbonation that gives it a spritzy, biting mouthfeel that works well with the spicy finish. An enjoyable sipper, although this bottle is a bit much for one person.

Final Grade: 4.03, just barely eking out an A-. La Trappe Tripel remains one of the most accessible tripels in my area - I have enjoyed it every time I have had it, and there is no doubt in my mind that I will enjoy it many more times in the future. This Dutch tripel is not quite as good as some of its Belgian trappist equivalents, but it's still a fabulous ale that all tripel-lovers should try if given the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2012 19:29:03 | More by thehyperduck

adityashekhar

India

4/5  rDev +2%

06-16-2013 10:21:33 | More by adityashekhar

IchLiebeBier

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Orangish/copper, cloudy body with no real head

Aroma: hints of dried Fruit; peppery/spicy notes in the nose

Taste: Tart; malty; peppery; dried fruit (raisin)

Remarks: Did not score A, T, S, M at that time; so please disregard those scores

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 15:22:16 | More by IchLiebeBier

freneticamnesic

Netherlands

4.66/5  rDev +18.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A -Copper gold, thick, slow dissipating white head

S - Citrus and light roasted malts

T - Citrus, fruity esters, hints of roasted nuts, coriander, with a dry hoppy finish

M - medium bodied with moderate carbonation, dry finish

O - Overall one of my favourite tripels. I love the balance between the malty roasted nut flavours and the fruity flavours.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 07:30:25 | More by freneticamnesic

innominat

Ireland

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

06-09-2013 17:03:23 | More by innominat

Kerrie

Michigan

4/5  rDev +2%

06-06-2013 02:03:04 | More by Kerrie

Tattooedirish1

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

06-04-2013 23:33:03 | More by Tattooedirish1

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from 750 ml bottle into a snifter.

A: pours a hazy gold with an almost two inch head that dies down quickly leaving some lacing.

S: fruit and yeast are the predominant smells that come through on the nose of this triple.

T: the yeast is still there in the taste, but there is a maltiness and the alcohol does come through. Fruit is there but it is in the background with spices like clove and cardamon.

M: medium carbonation and there is a bit of slick to it. It has an overall medium body.

O: this is a good triple that was easy to drink. The most disappointing part of this beer was the artificial cork that topped the bottle. I fought to get it out, and this had me starting out a little miffed. I am generally a fan of tripels, and I quite enjoy most Trappist offerings, but I am on the fence with this one... Maybe the quad will change my mind.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 22:05:19 | More by polloenfuego

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.88/5  rDev -1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

An iconic Tripel that deserves its accolades!

Pours a hazy but bright golden honey coloured amber. The surprisingly white head has excellent staying power at the edges of the glass. Aroma of Belgian yeast with an underlying caramelized malt and candied fruit backbone. This carries into a nicely balanced taste that starts sweet but has decent depth in the body and ends with a surprisingly smoky bitterness. The oily mouthfeel is quite appropriate both for the style and its 8% ABV.

Should have been rated years ago, but impressed by this beer's consistency as well as its quality.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2013 23:51:07 | More by hopsolutely

JackOfAll

United Kingdom (Wales)

3.25/5  rDev -17.1%

05-27-2013 19:55:58 | More by JackOfAll

pin

Australia

3/5  rDev -23.5%

05-27-2013 03:00:09 | More by pin

Dave_Treat

Virginia

4/5  rDev +2%

05-25-2013 01:47:03 | More by Dave_Treat

desint

Belgium

3.5/5  rDev -10.7%

05-24-2013 12:00:36 | More by desint

Blindpigbiz

California

4/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Smell: herbal with subtle hops and sweet citrus

Taste: spices cardamom, floral notes, hints of clementines, sweet champagne, and subtle scotch-like smokiness

This beer, as Trappist style dictates, is designed by those under and for God; it's going to be good. This beer, although not life changing, is one of the better tripels out there. With its pseudo complexities, this beer is an interesting stand-alone drinker. However, if you feel like pairing it with something, this beer goes great with a smoked salmon pear glaze on a rice pilaf with mild spice; try it with Chinese food too

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 07:30:00 | More by Blindpigbiz

brureview

Massachusetts

3.99/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured a light golden color with a 1 finger head in a snifter.

Aroma: light cloves and banana which fades with warming.

The mouth feel is very carbonated- perhaps too much for a tripel.

Taste: light cloves and spice.

Overall: a solid tripel. This beer is worth cellaring. I cellared the quad which after 9 months was quite complex.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 01:35:46 | More by brureview

apasternak

Ohio

4/5  rDev +2%

05-22-2013 08:15:31 | More by apasternak

Kingcurio

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +2%

05-21-2013 02:25:40 | More by Kingcurio

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev +2%

05-21-2013 00:19:11 | More by johntfox

apanloco

Sweden

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-18-2013 16:42:32 | More by apanloco

hotsudge

Ontario (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-18-2013 02:45:43 | More by hotsudge

DutchBeerDrinker

Netherlands

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-17-2013 20:05:05 | More by DutchBeerDrinker

Matak3

Serbia

4.25/5  rDev +8.4%

05-16-2013 23:56:50 | More by Matak3

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +2%

05-12-2013 17:48:16 | More by mikeburd1128

Darkmagus82

Montana

4.13/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured from bottle into a chalice glass

Appearance- Pours a slightly hazed golden orange color with a two finger off white head present upon pouring. Rather quickly the head fades leaving a moderate level of lace on the sides of the glass.

Smell- The aroma is heaviest of a citrus and yeasty smell with lots of banana and spice mixed within. Other aromas of other lighter fruits, like apricot and peach are present as well with all the smells being complemented by a light alcohol aroma.

Taste – The taste follows the nose fairly well with a front showing of citrus and some lightly toasted malt. The yeast quickly come to the tongue and bring with them flavors of banana and a bit of clove. As the flavor advances fruiter a bit of a warming alcohol taste begins developing with some flavors of apricot and a little bit of earthy hop coming at the end of the taste. With the alcohol now slightly stronger at the end of the taste, a fruited and yeasty, warming taste is left to linger on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – The body of the beer is on the medium side for an 8 % abv triple with a carbonation level that is average to slightly above average for the style. The combination of the two, when mixed with the lighter fruit flavors, give a crispness to the brew, making it quite easy drinking.

Overall- A nice triple that has a great easy drinking character with a good blend of malt, light fruits and yeast. Rather enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 00:35:57 | More by Darkmagus82

dalepryor

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -4.3%

05-07-2013 22:46:05 | More by dalepryor