Tripel Karmeliet - Brouwerij Bosteels

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.9/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Served up in official glassware at the Sharp Edge Creekhouse, has a golden slightly orange hazed hue with a frothy egg shell white colored head measures four fingers deep this in the very artistic tulip shaped glass, forms fine intricate Belgian style lacing as it dwindles slowly. Aroma: Spicy black pepper note teamed with a slightly grassy hop character matched with tropical fruit notes of melon and fresh pineapple, what a nice blend of everything some mild acohol is present but very nice. Taste: Somewhat bitter for a Belgian Triple the bitey hop profile pairs nicely with the mango and melon honey tinged malt tones with a slightly alcoholic edge some funky yeast notes finishes dry excellent triple. Mouthfeel: Medium bodied effervescent carbonation slightly syrupy in nature but glides across the palate very silky. Drinkability is amazingly effortless this is one of the greats from Belgium, solid complex layered flavors blend so nicely this brew comes together.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2005 00:47:41 | More by WVbeergeek

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Presentation: Had this on tap at the Hopleaf bar in Chicago. Poured into authentic brewery chalice.

Appearance: Deep orange color, with four fingers of finely celled white head.

Smell: The smell was very fruity, and actually kind of floral. A mixture of flower nectar and bready malt aromas.

Taste: I found it very sweet, with a tart aftertaste.

Notes: This was very good, and I'll drink it again.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2005 19:08:37 | More by TurdFurgison

orbitalr0x

Illinois

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

On tap 4/23/05 at Lunar Brewing during the BA Gathering. Poured into an awesome large Tripel Karmeliet glass...a bright golden color with a huge three finger creamy white head that is in for the long haul. Awesome! Aromas are grand with a lovely spiciness with cloves and coriander. A myriad of fruit tones waft up into my nose...tropical and sweet. Great to just sit and smell.

First sip is a rush of sweet light malty goodness. There's a divine balance between the sweet fruity flavors (tropical fruits, bananas, citrus) and the spiciness that has some coriander, clove and cracked black pepper to it. A nice hint of Belgian yeastiness on the way down brings it all together nicely. Sublime stuff.

Mouthfeel is creamy, smooth and rather light on the palate. A refreshing, satisfying brew. I could easily drink loads of this if given the chance...especially off tap in the proper glassware. A treat of a tripel and highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

05-08-2005 03:33:13 | More by orbitalr0x

Dogbrick

Ohio

4.13/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On draught at Winking Lizard. Pours clear golden with a thin off-white head. The snifter in which it was served offered little lacing. Sweet fruit and clove aroma. Medium-bodied and bubbly with flavors of yeast, spices and peaches. The alcohol is pretty well-hidden. The finish is dry and lightly spiced and hoppy. An enjoyable Belgian through and through.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2005 03:11:28 | More by Dogbrick

GClarkage

California

4.53/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

11/05/04- Had on tap at the Toronado in San Francisco, CA

Appearance- Pours into a tulip glass with a huge white frothy head. Leaves magnificent lacing all over the sides of the glass. Pours a yellowish/amber hued color.

Smell- Doesn't have a lot of smell. A bit of sweetness, maybe lemon. Maybe some spicyness.

Taste- Mmmmm, sweet and fruity. Some nice sweet malty characteristics. Definite fruit tastes. Maybe canned fruit tastes as it is sweet. Lemons, apricots?

Mouthfeel- Nice feel as it slides down your throat. Near perfect carbonation. Very subtle brew.

Drinkability- Can't tell it's got an 8% abv. Hasn't hit me yet and I had two of them. Very tasty and possibly even better in the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

11-05-2004 22:51:02 | More by GClarkage

Truh

New Hampshire

4.22/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Chanted some carillons with this one on 10/2/2004. ?-oz, pour at ACPH in an absolutely kick-ass Tripel Karmeliet glass with inlaid fresco and all.

Huge froth of initial inch plus head that subsided to a tremulous coagulant of quarter inch mass. Light gold coloring but hue is deceptive due to the bulbous round globe of glass that surrounds the liquid goodness. Home brew-like quality of wilted, wet malt to nose. Initial core of rounded malt heat dissipates with an almost chalky residue that coats the throat with a somewhat tannin flush as well.

Beautiful offering that settles and filibusters its way through the synapses.

Serving type: on-tap

10-02-2004 22:28:04 | More by Truh

OldFrothingSlosh

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Innsbrook Capital Ale House.

Dusty golden-orange in color with only a tiny layer of thin white head atop. Sparse lacing. Aromas are boisterous! A rainbow of fruity aromas leap out of the glass. Bannanas, oranges, lemony zest mixed with a honey-wheat character. Flavor falls just short of the smell. Big on the fruit flavors as well, there's only a dash of bitterness for pseudo-balance. Definite doughy/bready flavors as well, finishing with a lemon-honey aftertaste. Medium-bodied. Definitely a dessert beer, this one is far to the sweet side.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2004 11:44:05 | More by OldFrothingSlosh

HighCarbDiet

Colorado

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

Served at Zachary's in Tucson in a big 22oz tulip glass.

Poured well with a nice creamy head, about as thick as my "pinky."

The color is a clear, pale, golden, honey-like tone.

I'm still stuffed up, having a tough time with the smell... but I sense a pleasantness. Damn...

The flavor reminds me of honey. So does the body, as it has a slight syrupy feel to it, but not too much. I also sense a strong citrus/orange flavor. After a few big sniffs, I'm getting lots of cardamom too, which is weird, because usually the spiciness in a beer tastes like clove or cinnamon to me. The bitterness and maltiness are tough to track down. Little hop character.

The alcohol seems well hidden. I'm not really noticing it.

This beer is pretty sweet, but not so sweet as to reduce the drinkability.

I'm very happy to have found this on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

07-09-2004 03:30:16 | More by HighCarbDiet

scottum

Vermont

3.58/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Duvel Cafe in Stockholm.
Served amber with a huge head!! Spicey withh some alcohol notes. There are thin malts with a crisp bite for balance. A very well crafted beer, but not a beer for me if other tripels are around. Or good beers of other styles for that matter.

Serving type: on-tap

06-21-2004 04:40:43 | More by scottum

HardTarget

Texas

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

Enjoyed on tap at the Old Monk; Dallas, Tx.
Aroma: An interesting combination of sour and sweet. The sour comes through with an orange twang, which is offset by a sweet vanilla. Somewhere in the mix I got a touch of nutmeg as well.
Appearance: A cloudy pale orange color with a nice white two finger head.
Flavor: Fruit. Forced to be more specific, mainly cherry and banana tastes, but more complexity than I could wrap my tongue around.
Mouthfeel: Medium body that gave a crisp, but lasting finish.
Overall Impression: A very tasty brew. The balance is strongly to the sweet, so this is much like a candy; not to be gobbled, but slowly nibbled for maximum enjoyment.

Serving type: on-tap

04-06-2004 04:45:22 | More by HardTarget

PopeJonPaul

Oregon

4.65/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I finally had a chance to try this brew at Anam Cara, and was extremely pleased. From what I could tell in the glow of the fireplace it had a nice golden color, and a surprisingly nice head (not too carbonated, just right.) Strong fruity flavor, easily drinkable, super smooth, peach and caramel aroma. I am partial to sweet\strong beers (Tripels and Barleywines) so if you are not you might find this beer a little too sweet, however if you are a fan of Belgian Tripels I'm certain you will enjoy this beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-04-2004 05:29:28 | More by PopeJonPaul

Jon

Illinois

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

Glowing golden-blonde hue with a frothy, eggshell white head. Quite attractive in the glass.

Nose features fruity esters redolent of green apple, ripe pear and apricot. A spicy, earthy hop character peeks out from under the massive fruit presence, as well.

Definitively fruity and sweet. Additional notes of apple, apricot and pear resonate on the palate, with seemingly coriander and peppery spices, minor hints at phenols, and an alcoholic rush on the finish. Vastly flavorful, well-rounded, though never straying too far from its intrinsic fruity sweetness.

Carbonated, but not overdone like in some other tripels. Smooth and elegant.

Easy to drink given its weight and all the flavors packed inside. A classy, classic tripel whose attention is well-deserved. Good on tap, but preferred in the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2004 04:41:58 | More by Jon

PatandDavid

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer reminded me why I like Belgian beers so much. Had on tap at Redbones. Color was faded golden, slightly cloudy. A fluffy, creamy white head perched on tap. My notes say "aroma is full of promise." I detected some musty, but still spicey notes, with even a whiff of perfume to top things off. Medium bodied, there is an abundance of fruit, with sweetness, crisp citrus, and then a finish of dusty cinnamon. And so smooth! A very delicious brew to be savored. Highly recommended. pat

Serving type: on-tap

01-14-2004 01:03:51 | More by PatandDavid

dannyvee

Massachusetts

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

served on tap at redbones in a small stemmed glass. nice puffy white head. aromas of earthy yeast and fruit. quite complex in the nose. taste was just as amazing- citrus, belgian malt, caramel and yeast. medium to full body. this was a wonderful find and one that i will seek out in the future.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2004 00:21:52 | More by dannyvee

saltydog

New York

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

Tasted on draft at Cafe Botteltje in Ostend. Appearance: Big, creamy head, orange color, crystal clear. Aroma; Hops, malty, very clean. Flavor: Malt dominates; does not taste as hoppy or as dry as the bottled version. Finish: Clean and very crisp. Again, not as dry as bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2003 21:48:24 | More by saltydog

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.72/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy gold color, fine white head, and fortunately poured into it's own particularly shaped glass.

Aroma is uplifting, arousing, sensual, jumping with fruitiness, peaches, tangerines, apricots, citrus, lemon, alive with bright, sunny flavors, and a joyful honey/candy sweetness.

Absolute happiness results from a mere sip of this glorious brew, growing with each new drip down the lips!
Yeast, also, does some work towards delivering the drinker to Beer Nirvana, creating a warm, bready feeling. Body is somewhat light and buoyant, palate is delicate and delicious. Soft, sweet malt, long and lingering, rewarding finish, always accompanied by a tidy, tasteful dance of hops upon the tongue. Ahhh!

Unfortunately, this happy ride was all-too brief, for the otherwise unredoubtable pub poured a meager 8 ounces. Geez, guys, I'd pay an extra $.50 for another 2 ounces, and willingly, too!

Serving type: on-tap

01-22-2003 21:23:18 | More by feloniousmonk

jackndan

Illinois

4.97/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Triple Karmeliet: On tap. Fantastic! The triple refers to three grains: barley, oats, and wheat. Highly carbonated, very nice head. Aroma vaguely smells of oranges, and coriander. The taste is sweet/yeast taste, and pressed oranges, with a perfectly balanced Belgian taste. This is a very, very good beer: on tap, it is one of the five best beers I’ve ever had.

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2002 12:43:23 | More by jackndan