Tripel Karmeliet - Brouwerij Bosteels

Arno

2.78/5  rDev -34.9%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2.25

A: Weak yellow color, clear. Like a regular pilsener. Like pee ;) Not especially inviting.
S: Citrus fruits. Light bittering hop. Slight sour yeast. Fruity sweetness. Inviting ...
T: Not as full flavored the smell might suggest. Actually the first beer i've experienced that's ruined by the mouthfeel, killing any flavor sensation with an overload of carbonation. I do still get the citrus fruits with a good balance of sweet, bitter and sour.
M: Well, too much carbonation. I don't like the feel at all.

O: The mouthfeel just ruins it for me. Maybe it's because of the taste i had on the day, but somehow every sip i took was taken over by a lot of carbonation tingling. Also the flavor is too one dimensional. There's not much more then citrus fruits. The only good part is that you don't get any alcohol at all, which is an achievement considering the ABV.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 20:50:31 | More by Arno

BGDrock

Ontario (Canada)

3.38/5  rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: dull, light gold; almost clear; snapping, bubbly head, but burns out after a minute - poured in a chalice, but even so, not good retention

Aroma: sharp, acidic tang; apple, pear, like cider; grape

Taste & Mouthfeel: buttery and fatty feel on the tongue stand out at first, although getting a good sizzle from the carbonation; a mash of fruit flavours, almost juicy, and again apple, pear are standing out, and there's some yeasty spice too; a faint whiff of alcohol at the finish; acidic, but not to the level of the nose, and slightly tart - like a granny smith; a hint of wheat and cereal, but it's quite hidden; nearing the end, the sweetness is getting cloying, tasting of candy syrup, and the aftertaste actually begins to be unpleasant

Overall: the fruitiness is enjoyable, and the mouthfeel is decent, but as time goes on it all becomes too much, just too sweet for my taste

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 02:33:26 | More by BGDrock

NardiByNature

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

My buddy has an empty bottle of this in his room, salvaged from a semester in Europe. Recognized the label in the fridge at Bauer's on Newbury and had to snag it on the way home from Work.

Nice golden clarity and lively carbonation racing to the top of my glass. A massive pearly white head forms and stays there. Aromas like sweet but crisp tart fruits – sliced green apples – hit me first but there’s definitely a spicy, peppery element there too. More fruity depth in the taste: juicy fruit gum (I think sweet lemon, papaya, dried mango, all that). There’s a light crackery grain, and, rolling down my lip, a verdant hop bitterness.

Mouth: one of my favorite things about this beer. I like the lively, prickly carbonation from the little bubbles. 8%? No way.

Overall: 5/5: it’s that good. I’m no tripel fiend but this one is amazing. Something like this really gets me amped up about beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 23:05:55 | More by NardiByNature

Docrock

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle into a Tulip

A - golden in color with a slight haze. 2" head of small white foam. Solid lacing

S - pear, honey, and a slight spiciness.

T - Pear and maybe a hint of clove. no aftertaste at all. slightly sweet, taste is very similar to the nose.

M - solid body with well balanced carbonation that actually hides the alcohol well

O - really enjoyable, the fruit and spice is not overpowering. well placed within the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 04:21:12 | More by Docrock

Beelzebeer

Newfoundland (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle, served in a chalice. Bottled Dec 20/2011. Almost a year old.

A - Traditional tripel. Good amount of medium density head, which has been sticking around forever. Pale yellow.

S - Wheat, some light liquorice, a little tangy bitter, little sawdust, oddly enough.

T & M - Taste is being overridden by a too-high amount of carbonation. Underneath there is wheat, a little hop, dried fruit. Pretty dense mouthfeel, maybe a little too much, but not bad by any means.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 23:34:41 | More by Beelzebeer

Vec2267

Florida

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - cloudy, golden, huge frothy head, great lacing, lotsa little bubbles

S - spice (pepper, coriander, clove), sweet/honey, fruity

T - a blend of spice and sweet and tart, no bitterness - coriander, clove, tart pears/apples, candy sweetness

F - very full and rich but the carbonation keeps it light

O - spot on for the style, lots of complexity, the spice and tartness keep the sugar from overwhelming the beer like in many other interpretations

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 22:47:39 | More by Vec2267

CloudStrife

New York

4.18/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a tulip.

A: Pours a clear pale yellow with a huge 3 finger white head that has some large bubbles. Tons and tons of visible carbonation. Head sticks around for a long time and leaves some splotchy lace.

S: Certainly has that tripel aroma. Great Belgian yeast up front that provides a bit of spiciness. Pale malts make up the backbone. There is also a bit of orange and banana.

T: Much richer and fruitier taste that I anticipated. Its a light fruit almost like a blend of grapes and banana. I'd say the light malts are the highlight but there is a slight hop taste in there too.

M: Fairly full bodied for a tripel with a real bubbly mouthfeel. Booze is basically undetectable besides the warming feeling.

Overall a great beer that is easily drank. Would reccomend this to anyone as it really has such a smooth taste I think anyone could enjoy it.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 21:28:21 | More by CloudStrife

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a slightly hazy pale golden colour, thumb of head with some retention and no real lacing.

S - Light floral notes off the top, sweet citrus and cloves, grassy notes linger on the finish.

T - Flavour is dominated by the floral citrus notes, sour rind notes, grassy flavours, hints of honey, burnt sugar, apple juice, fruity pears and sweet cloves on the finish.

M - Medium bodied, bubbly and finishes with a sweet stickiness.

O - Overall a tasty brew that offers up a very fruity bouquet, loads of flavour, easy drinking and a dangerously hidden ABV. I quite enjoyed this brew and am glad that I was able to grab a few bottles.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 03:53:20 | More by andrenaline

NilocRellim

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this beer on tap while in Bruges, Belgium. I've also had this beer many times back in the states from the bottle and surprisingly does not lose much in the bottle.

Pours a hazy golden colour with a large, very foamy head which is very common with Belgian beers. Belgian beers in general produce extremely large heads that are scraped with a knife. The smell is floral, very sweet, and fruity, due to the Belgian yeast strains that are used. The taste is very fruity, sweet, and you can definitely taste the alcohol content. It is also very carbonated, like most Belgian beers.

Would I buy it again? Absolutely.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2012 04:25:13 | More by NilocRellim

merc7186

New York

4.38/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Aurora Brew Works in East Aurora NY, poured into a snifter.

A: Golden Straw Hue, Passes Most Light, White Head, Some Lacing

S: Peach, Apple, Apricots, Mild Belgian Sugar

T: Peach, Pineapple, Belgian Sugars, Mild Booze

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Lightly Sweet, Mildly Boozy

Overall, a pretty balanced triple with nice fruit notes and sugar.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2012 21:19:18 | More by merc7186

mooseo

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

75cl bottle into tulip.

A - Golden blonde with a titanic bubbly white head. Very aggressive carbonation flowing up from the bottom of the glass.

S - Inviting aroma of light citrus, apple cider, coriander, Belgian yeast, bready malts.

T - A delicious blend of apple, banana, lemon and sweet bready malts. Light coriander, clove and Belgian yeast add complexity. A touch of earthy herbal hops comes in to balance the sweetness.

M - Exceptionally smooth and light bodied. Crisp and refreshing. Super high carbonation but it works for the style.

O - Excellent tripel. Very complex, balanced and flavorful. This beer would pair beautifully with any type of seafood or meat.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 03:03:53 | More by mooseo

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Quite a carbonated brew so much so that it produced a substancial head of fluffy white foam running out of the glass and onto my counter.
Hazy golden sunshine color.
Aroma was malty and tart smelling with green apples and spices.
Taste to me was borderline wit beer with the addition of bottle lemonn juice.
Drinks smooth and refreshing but do so cautiously because at 8 abv the alcohol is well hidden.
Hey, it's a good beer that drinks well.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 12:31:14 | More by micromaniac129

Filosoof

Netherlands

4.6/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I won't be the first to say that this is absolutely the top. A very tasty beer, with lots of esters. Almost perfect.

L: golden, pilsener look, quite thin foam, nicely sticking on the glass;
S: lovely, banana, very soft hops, flowergarden;
T: round, but not too sweet, full of hops, but whitout the bitterishness;
M: a little too much carbonation perhaps, but what am I nagging...An impressive, complete creation;
O: you can wake me up at night for this one!!

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 19:37:39 | More by Filosoof

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -11%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle poured into a goblet. ABV 8.4%.

A - Poured a hazy gold with a 1cm head. Head was quickly gone and no lacing.

S - Sweet bread, fruity with bananas & lemons, herbal notes.

T - Sweet malts, some bananas, citrus, hint of spice, hint of booze.

M - Medium-heavy body, average carbonation, some tang, sticky sweet finish.

O - Decent beer but it wasn't a stand out for me.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 02:46:21 | More by decimator

JohnnyBarman

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Single bottle from the LCBO, part of the fall release. Enjoyed on a cool rainy fall day.

Poured into my Duvel chalice. Lovely light golden, nice billowing head, recedes into a thin ring. Some lacing. Decent looking tripel.

Nose is stellar: lovely fresh citrus, soft wheat malt, a bit of yeast, spices, bubblegum, herbal hops. Essentially what I think of when I think tripel.

Tastes just as nice. Good herbal/bubblegum character, nice citrus bite to mellow out the sweetness, bit of spice and yeast to the finish. Very drinkable.

Mild bodied, easy to drink, light, moderate to high carbonation.

One of the finest Belgian tripels I've come across. Hits all the right notes. Definitely will be back for more of this.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 21:26:16 | More by JohnnyBarman

Jetulio

Spain

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330 cl bottle poured into a Big Tulip glass
App/ golden colour with a big white head (2 fingers) long lasting
S/ malt, wheat, some spices and a little little bit of alcohol too
T / sweet (touches of banana and pear) but not in excess, then an amazing appearance of alcohol and herbal hops.
M / medium/full body with medium carbonation. Lon lasting in mouth.
O/ Very very nice with a great balance and personality.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 20:09:33 | More by Jetulio

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pale blonde colour, a little over one finger of white head, good retention with some good lacing as well. Smell is a mix of yeast and spice, quite grassy, fruity as well, lots of citrus, lemon, pear, honey, banana and bits of bubble gum as well. Taste follows the nose with yeast and fruit, citrus, vibrant grassy/herbal/floral notes, mild bitter hop, honey candy sweetness, pear, apple, quite the complex drink with a ton of new flavours popping up with each sip. Fairly high active carbonation fitting for the style, medium-full body. Really great stuff here, among the best in the style, super complex and very delicious as well.

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2012 13:57:10 | More by peensteen

Otterburn

Quebec (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Tryd it in Brussels, and now found it à la Saq,( liquor store)

Into a calice, lots of carbonation at first, big white head,
Champagne like color and carbonation,

It smell fine fruits aroma, sweet and acid,
very inviting..

Its a very tasty beer. Very nice assemblage of cereals
with a very fruity side, and it has a complex body with strong core.

A little bit thick, with active carbonation, it has a long aftertaste, fruity,
some acid notes, with sweet alcool..

Very tasty, really happy to get it easilly.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2012 02:20:21 | More by Otterburn

XicanoBeerRun

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a blond color that is slightly hazy with big head. Smells like sweet grass, medicinal, faint sourness to smell, white sugar, spice. Tastes of wheat, straw, grassy, sweet oat cereal, honey, malt aftertaste, lemon. This was a great beer. I’ll have another.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 17:54:58 | More by XicanoBeerRun

Serge

Alberta (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours hazy orange with a huge creamy/crispy slight off-white head. Aroma is orange peel, yeasty and some malt, the combination simply screams out what a true belgian tripel is. Flavour follows the aroma tightly, orange, spice and clear malty flavoured in a mellow malty sweetness. Finish is vaguely bitter but more malty and spiced. Very well balanced and still light. Uncomplicated (but not simple) and well crafted balance between the spices, malt and the yeast notes.

Serving type: bottle

10-09-2012 07:50:57 | More by Serge

Dope

Massachusetts

4.2/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Clear golden pour with a ridiculously foamy and effervescent white head (95% of the glass is just foam). I didn't even try to pour it very aggressively. Finally fades leaving a moderate skeleton of lacing behind. Excellent retention.

S: Very wheaty. Lots of grainy bread. There is a sharp, distinctive belgian yeast aroma there too, primarily with banana. Touch of citrus, lemony for sure. Very pleasant, crisp and refreshing aroma.

T: Wheaty up front. Very strong belgian yeast; it's loaded with banana immediately after the wheat. Grainy bread throughout with some hearty oat. Quite sweet in general. Lemony tang in the finish. Lingering sticky sweetness between sips.

M: Medium bodied, a bit sticky from all the sweetness.

O: A very malt-heavy tripel. You can really taste the different kinds of malts that they used so it's not so one-dimensional. Quite malty sweet in general with the strong yeast picking up a close second place. No real noticeable hops or bitterness. Tasty and delicious example of the style - a must-try if you like maltier tripels.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 03:54:54 | More by Dope

amendt

Italy

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer is a bit of a relief. It's not a high-ranker. It's not a pre-eminent representative of the community, pushing through the crowd to stand at the forefront of the Tripels. Yet, nonetheless, there it stands: quietly near the front.

This is a sweet beer that is sweet without being awful. It is full-bodied. At a glance and taking in some of its smell -- as much as can be garnered given its thick foam -- it appears to be a bit too bouncy. It looks like it might be a bit too hurried, a bit too improvised -- an erratic concoction. But taking it in, it is solid enough and steady. It will get you where you need to go.

The Karmeliet tripel is easier to drink than, say, a La Chouffe. There is nothing acidic or citrus-like about the Karmeliet tripel. It's a beer that doesn't have profundity. But you'll find yourself reaching for it again and again.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 06:09:24 | More by amendt

tdm168

North Carolina

4.35/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - clear gold with a big, white head that has great retention

S - lemongrass, faint spice

T - banana, cream, faint spices, lemon

M - medium to full bodied, well carbonated

This was a great Tripel. It was complex and refreshing. The abv was well hidden. This was dangerously easy to drink. I really enjoyed this beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 00:16:03 | More by tdm168

DaveBlack

Virginia

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

A: A pale orangeish color (apricot comes to mind...) with a relatively small amount of white head, which is fed by a seemingly endless stream of bubbles from the bottom of the glass.

S: Caramel malts, a hefty, hefty hit of lemon and coriander and a slight earthy yeastiness, as well as some peppery notes. A good smelling beer.

T: Light malts, a caramel/toffee sweetness. Coriander, lemon, tropical fruits and earthy yeast again in the middle, and the peppery alcohol on the finish. A nice kiss of herbal hops that really blends with the middle flavor. A well balanced and easy drinking beer.

M: Moderate, sticky body is lifted up by lots of carbonation. Too much carbonation, in my opinion, because it gets in the way of tasting the beer.

O: Worth checking out for sure, a solid beer. It hides the alcohol well, without being too obvious about it.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 01:41:13 | More by DaveBlack

Strix

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pale straw, ridiculously frothy initial head, leaves no trace a half hour later.

Coriander heavy in the nose, also yeast, alcohol, and lemon.

Clove, pepper, coriander, orange zest, slight alcohol note, dry finish. Nicely done.

Smooth with a full mouth feel.

This is what a tripel should taste like. Nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 03:09:31 | More by Strix