Duvel Tripel Hop 2012 (Citra Hops) - Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV

metter98

New York

4.29/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is crystal clear yellow in color and has a moderate to high amount of visible carbonation. It poured with a finger high bright white head that has excellent retention properties and consistently left a short head covering the surface and lots of lacing down the sides of the glass.
S: Moderate aromas of citrusy hops are present in the nose - ruby red grapefruit seems to stand out in particular.
T: Like the smell, flavors of grapefruit dominate the taste, but these aren't as prominent and overpowering as those found in West Coast IPAs from America. It has a light to moderate amount of bitterness along with hints of Belgian yeast. The grapefruit lingers through the finish.
M: It feels medium-bodied and crisp on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: The crispness and balance of this beer makes it very refreshing and easy to drink. Any traces of alcohol are very well hidden from the taste.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 17:38:51 | More by metter98

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.31/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance:
The head is a fluffy and clean white color while the beer itself is a clear extremely light amber to a golden straw.

Smell:
A mix of floral and piney hops along with a bit of lemony zest and other tropical fruits such as banana and mango. The smell also has Belgian sugar and very light hints of black pepper with a tiny nose of alcohol that are shadowed by the other smells.

Taste:
Note: The beer changes with every drink as gets warmer and it's difficult to pinpoint when one taste dominates at anyone time. The hops start piney and grassy but move into a more citrusy and orange flavor later on. Additionally, the tropical fruit flavors such as mango and orange begin to emerge as the beer warms to room temperature. The beer also has a little bit of alcohol flowing with the other flavors and banana flavor from the yeast. The malts seem to have a minimal presence.

Mouthfeel:
Medium bodied with biting carbonation. The beer finishes fairly dry but rather nice.

Overall:
A very good beer and interpretation of the style. I might try and see if I can't get another 2012. If you see one, get it.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 01:51:19 | More by HattedClassic

hardy008

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours clear light gold with a two finger rocky white head with good retention and plenty of lacing, from a gentle pour. The aroma has Belgian yeast, grapefruit, lemon, pepper, and spices.

The taste is sweet, with hop bitterness for balance. There is Belgian yeast, grapefruit, lemon, pepper, spices, floral hops, and light banana. A nice complex beer which changes slightly with each drink taken.

Medium bodied with plenty of carbonation. The alcohol is well disguised for a 9.5% abv beer. Very nicely made. I recommend trying this beer if you get the chance.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 02:49:52 | More by hardy008

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750ml bottle poured into a Duvel tulip.

A: Pours a dull, slightly hazed straw-golden color. The massive rocky white head retains beautifully. Lots of thick, foamy lacing cements itself onto the glass.

S: Chalky yeast, black pepper, herbal hops, pulpy mango, slight lemon zest, grass, tropical fruity ester, cracker and biscuit malt.

T: Juicy, vibrant tropical hop tastes. Mango, mandarin orange, and lemon zest. Burst of pineapple esters. Peppery phenolic edge. Chalky yeast. Hops go grassy and herbal toward the mid-palate. Cracker and dry biscuit. Bone dry throughout. Finishes with lingering yeast and spicy/herbal hops.

M: Medium bodied. Highly effervescent and scrubbing. Creamy and round with a deceptive bit of weight that gets lifted away by the carbonation. Slight peppery alcohol heat.

O: So they took Duvel and introduced it to one of my favorite hop varieties. It seems like a winner on paper, and it is a winner in reality. Everything you know and love about Duvel is intact, including (perhaps most importantly) its dangerous drinkability. The Citra dry hopping adds the typical citra herbal/mango tastes with a relatively low level of bitterness. It all works very well together, and that citra 'pop' serves to make an already memorable beer even moreso.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 01:59:29 | More by ryan1788a5

SHODriver

California

4.14/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: pours a bright yellow into a duel tulip with a rocky two finger head that has excellent staying power
S: smells of citrus, spicy yeast, some fruity esters and a bit of light bready malt
T: light and fruity on the front with some citrusy character coming into a play, a bit of bready malt and light sweetness and well as some slight earthyness. swallow brings a menthol like finish, a slight tinge of citrus and a whisper of fruity esters
M: lighter side of medium in the mouth with ample and prickly carbonation. fairly neutral finish
O:

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2013 02:24:31 | More by SHODriver

rand

California

4.18/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a 750 mL bottle to a Duvel tulip glass

A: The brew pours with exploding effervescent, forming a huge, sudsy 3-inch head that never fully recedes. It's opaque, but a pale straw-yellow in color. A marshmallow coating traces the glass on a gentle twirl.

S: The dry-hopped Citra is prominet, yielding an piny, lemony scent. Notes of grapefruit and citrus rind throughout the bouquet, which is anchored by a crackery, pastry-like tone. Some holiday spice is noted, cloves and nutmeg, accented by the boozy aroma.

T: Again, hops dominate. The dry-hopping leaves notes of lemon-pepper and citrus zest. This is followed by dry spice and cloves. The brew has a crackery undertone and a good deal of booze. Finishes surprisingly short and quite dry.

M: Full bodied and lots of bubbly scrubbers throughout.

One of the dryer examples of this style I've come across, and remarkably drinkable for the high 9.5% ABV. Pretty much met my expectations - tastes just like a classic Duvel with a hop and booze kick.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 07:40:55 | More by rand

beerpirates

Belgium

4.21/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

33 cl and 75 cl bottle

A light yellow beer with a blond, big and soapy head.
Aroma is fresh and aromatic, fruits, lemon, spices, some sweetness and tropical fruits, lychee.
Aroma is very succesfull and inspirating, strenght of Citra. Taste of fruits, lots of spices, drying and aromatic hops, lychee.
Aftertaste is great, Citra’s lychee and fruitsness. Medium bodied, high carbonation, nicely light to drink.
The fresh and succesfull beer, which Citra has given something more to the already great beer, aromatic and tropical fruity nuancees are here and there.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2013 18:50:50 | More by beerpirates

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.29/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

2012 Selection

A: Pours a crystal clear light to medium golden yellow in color with some lemon yellow highlights and moderate amounts of visible carbonation. The beer has a three finger tall fizzy bright white head that slowly reduces to a couple of medium sized dense patches of medium thickness, an extremely thin film covering the majority of the surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate to significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of pale malts with some moderate to strong aromas of hops - citrus/lemon/grapefruit along with just a touch of apricot. There are some light amounts of herbal hops and some spicy notes from the yeast. There are some very light hints of vanilla as well.

T: The beer starts out with a light flavor of pale malts followed by some notes of the spicy yeast. Then the hops take over, first some light herbal hop notes followed by some moderate to strong flavors of citrus/lemon/grapefruit hops. Light amounts of bitterness in the finish which fade relatively quickly.

M: Slightly heavier than light bodied with moderate to heavy amounts of carbonation. Crisp and effervescent with quite a bit of brightness. Light amounts of dryness in the finish.

O: I enjoyed this version even more than previous versions of the Duvel Tripel Hop - I like the featuring of the citra hop which really stands out in both the smell and the taste of this beer. It is extremely easy to drink and hides the relatively big ABV very well. Highly enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 00:03:47 | More by dbrauneis

TrevorWGrover

Germany

4.7/5  rDev +9.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I bought this beer without even realizing it was dry hopped... or that it was Citra that was used! I bought it in a little beer shop in Brussels as a a compliment to all of the "touristy" beers I had to (got to) purchase. Of all the beers I took back with me from Belgium I think this is my favorite. I don't live on the west coast, USA but a West Coast IPA is my favorite style of beer. This is the closest thing to a big American IPA I could find in Western Europe. Lots of fresh hop fruity citrus but very balanced; I love it!

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2013 20:45:59 | More by TrevorWGrover

duracell

Quebec (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

330mL bottle into an over-sized wine glass.
A - Crystal clear golden color. Snow-white, large head with medium retention which leaves a thin persistent topping. No lacing.
S - Lots of tropical fruits with a citrus background. Little acidic, slightly herbal, very fruity and delicious!
T/M - Unbelievably smooth beer that flows in the mouth to unveil all the flavors similar to the nose. Bitterness balances perfectly the aromas. Ends with some spiciness that dries out the mouth and makes you take another sip. Definitely some white wine character going on in there. Lively carbonation.
O - An outstanding beer that shows all the Duvel savoir-faire!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 21:26:37 | More by duracell

TallSaint

New York

4.21/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Feb 24th, 2013

Pours pale, hazy and about as light in color as you can get.

In the nose Citra is present but not domineering. Orange sorbet and citrus meld well with the pepperiness from the Saaz and Goldings as well as clove-y, and band-aid-y Belgian phenols. There's a lot going on in the nose, hopefully it is the same on the palate.

On the palate the Citra dominates upfront with orange sorbet, lemon rind and a touch of hoppy resins. In the mid-palate the peppery and earth hops dominate, underpinned by clove-y phenols and the slightest touch of biscuit from the malt. In the back the phenols are more present and combine with a hoppy bitterness that leads to a long, dry finish that is a bit waxy, coating the back of the mouth.

Carbonation is perfect and the mouthfeel is very light, per usual Duvel. It is insanely drinkable, especially at 9.5%.

A great beer; a very interesting twist to a classic.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 22:25:32 | More by TallSaint

scottfrie

California

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into Duvel tulip. $12 at Total Wine.

A: A slow pour yields a pale golden bodied liquid beneath a huge, billowing, thick, and fluffy characteristic Duvel whipped egg-white head that took forever to collapse beneath its own weight. Duvel is the archetypal beer for the style, and this one does not disappoint. It’s perhaps a shade lighter and clearer than the original, but the head is still just as impressive. Huge chucks of sticky, rocky, lace were left down the glass.
S: Dominant notes of citra hops, as expected. This beer smells awesome. Peppery, earthy yeast, a hint of mint chewing gum and phenols, and lemony citrus come through the citra as well.
T: Very hoppy and fresh with balancing notes of earth, lemon, and peppery yeast. Citrus, flowers, pear, and peach come through as well. Finish is spicy and the aftertaste is earthy and bitter.
M: Full body, fluffy airy carbonation, smooth, bitter, and lightly drying mouth. Drink well. A hint of boozy syrupiness is detectable but it’s not distracting.
O: Amazing. Duvel is one of the best and when you add a few more hops this beer is nearly perfect. Well worth the price, and almost as good as Bitter Monk.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 22:33:52 | More by scottfrie

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

330 mL bottle with freshness date. Poured into a wine glass produced a solid fluffy white head which has a really nice retention and amazingly great lacing. The colour is a light pale straw gold.

Smell has a wonderful floral hop character. Grapefruit, really juicy. Some biscuity malt. Some yeast comes through with a nice hoppy edge.

Taste has a full crisp bitter hops character, citrus hops, grapefruit, some dry yeasty barnyard note at the end. Some pepper, orange, floral esters and of course a firm Belgian yeast edge, a bit farmy and straw. Finish is quite dry, firm yeast, with an oily hoppy linger.

Mouthfeel has a nice soft carbonation, moderate body, alcohol is very underplayed, comes across slightly on the palate. Some spicey heat. But very refreshing and satisfying with a nice big body on this.

Fantastic beer. A big IPA, but tons of flavour and complexity. Really nice combination of belgian yeast and the oily citra hops works lovely. It is a strong big beer, but has a great balance and drinks quite light actually. Quite rich and a pretty classic embodiment of what of think of as the BIPA style. Lovely stuff.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 21:55:16 | More by mick303

Mitchster

Michigan

3/5  rDev -30.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 2.75

$15.99 for a corked, caged and foiled 750ml bottle. 2012. Hopped with Citra, Saaz, & Styrian Goldings, then dry hopped with Citra. 9.5% per the bottle.

Pours out to a very pale straw golden with very good clarity and forming a rapidly expanding and overflowing bone white head with superior retention and lacing...kinda like soap bubbles, in part due to it's very brisk carbonation which is at least 4.0 carbs or so. The nose is of spicy floral hops with apple and pear esters nicely balanced by some Belgian phenolics. The mouthfeel is champagne like, exploding upon the tongue with a very dry finish, deceptively light body and a biting finish. The taste is of delicate pils malt, the spicy, grassy and floral hops, and a firm bitterness. Unfortunately, the alcohol is very hot and marred by lots of higher alcohols which burn and ruin the taste for me. The bitterness is quite peculiar. I wonder if they are using hop concentrate. Quite warming as it goes down. Some lemony tartness in the aftertaste with lots of pears in the burps.

Disappointed with this one, especially considering the price. Along this line, Matilda is superior, as is La Fin du Monde (although both are less hoppy). Wouldn't buy it again, and can't recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 03:54:44 | More by Mitchster

heygeebee

Australia

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From Platinum. BB 01 2015.

Pours a pale gold. Head is two fingers worth of large froth n bubbles. Fades to a film, spotty lace.

Tangerine, hops, citrus on nose. A blast.

Taste is hop driven, lemon zesty, citrus, Belgian yeast, orange peel, with a balanced hop bite. Dry overall.

Mouthfeel not quite as champage like as std Duvel. Medium bodied, well carbonated.

A really good take on a classic style. What a dilemma for the brewers, with such a good base, how to alter and not worsen. Wish I could do an AB comparison, I suspect I prefer Std.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 10:19:45 | More by heygeebee

Damian

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Drank from a 750ml/1 pt 9.4 fl. oz. bottle purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
Served in a Duvel tulip

Remarkable appearance. The beer poured a near crystal clear, pale golden color. An enormous, bright white, large bubbled, meringue-like head topped the liquid. As the head receded, the bubbles that formed it became even bigger. The wily mass eventually fell to a frothy clump of foam. Spotty patches of lacing coated the glass, but it was a far cry from the signature Brussels lacing that "regular" Duvel is known for. A steady stream of bubbles ascended in the liquid.

The nose was fragrant and punchy. Much different from the standard Duvel. Citra hops dominated initially. Notes of peach, nectarine and a generic tropical fruitiness came through strong. Touch of candied orange peel. Some crisp, grassy, Saaz hops were detectible in the background. The Saaz hops become more noticeable as beer warmed. Clean, fresh, grassy notes that define the varietal were apparent. Somewhat hay-like and lemony. Fruity and phenolic Belgian yeast notes came forth as well. I also picked up hints of fusel-like alcohol as the beer warmed, but this did not distract from everything else happening.

The flavor profile was interesting but not quite as smooth or complex as the nose. Bready, semi-sweet malts came through on the front end. Lots of pithy pininess in the center. Good dose of citrus rind as well. Slightly tart and lemony. Spicy. Dry and bitter on the finish with white grapefruit notes dominating. Overall, the beer was very well balanced and immensely drinkable for 9.5% ABV. Just a touch of alcohol heat appeared as the beer warmed.

The mouthfeel was perhaps the only aspect of this beer that perfectly mimicked its iconic brethren. It was lighter bodied yet super smooth and creamy. The liquid contained a lively, finely beaded effervescence.

Duvel Tripel Hop with Citra is a fantastic American twist on Duvel's iconic Belgian strong pale ale. I will definitely be purchasing future incarnations of this seasonal release.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2013 03:47:46 | More by Damian

JohnnyMc

Ohio

5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The regular Duvel is about as close to perfect as I can imagine and with the addition of my favorite hop variety...

Pours out the usual bright, golden, yellow with a ton of white and fluffy head and a champagne-like carbonation.

The aroma is the typical Duvel; pear, apple, banana, clove, coriander, white pepper and yeasty bready notes, but with the addition of orange peel, lemon zest and some nice piney, resinous hop notes.

The taste is pretty much identical to the aroma. The Citra hop really adds a ton of hop flavor here; orange peel, some grassy notes, piney/resinous hop notes along with tropical fruit notes. These blend extremely well with the typical pear, apple and banana notes along with the subtle spiciness the clove and white pepper taste adds. Can't taste or smell the alcohol at all.

The mouthfeel is crisp and clean and the body is on the light side of medium. Tons of carbonation like usual with Duvel and there is a slight warming as it goes down.

I already love the regular Duvel and the Citra hop just pushes this into perfection for me. A great beer and definitely worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 03:45:25 | More by JohnnyMc

FLima

Brazil

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Clear pale yellow color, poured a two finger consistent head with a medium retention and leaving a constant thin lace and marks through the glass.
Strong aroma of citrus and marijuana.
Very citric taste, but not too acid and with a nice hoppy bitterness. Hints of pine, herbal tea and orange peel.
Aftertaste is dry and bitter.
Medium body with good carbonation, and an effervescent sensation. Alcohol of 9.5% is completely well hidden.
Delicious beer, and I had tasted 30 minutes ago a hoppy Mikkeller (hoppy is modest for its 1000 IBUs). I would define it as a Belgian IPA that crossed the Atlantic. Glad to see that tradition is meeting modern times as well. Impressive.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 23:15:11 | More by FLima

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

An interesting beer for sure. It appears in the glass as the standard Duvel with just a slight bit of added haze, and also as the standard Duvel malt and yeast base in its flavor make up.

There are hops, however! Lots of hops for sure! It really take the standard Duvel up in hops, and I think it even takes the former Duvel Triple Hop up a bit (although without a side by side comparison I'm only going from memory). It's more about hop flavor than it is about hops in the nose, and I think that's a good way to go - not that you don't get hop aroma, just that the focus seems to be more on the hop's contribution to the overall taste.

With that said, it remains really well-balanced, and it takes the citrusy and somewhat floral-spicy hops to the edge without going overboard. And that's a good thing. Americans tend to go for the biggest and the boldest (which is good in a way because it leads to stretching the boundaries of what we do), but they should try to learn a little restraint from the Europeans as well. Voltaire once wrote: “Le secret d'ennuyer est celui de tout dire" (The secret of being a bore is to tell everything), and it's true. When everything is presented clearly, and quite "in your face" - brutally, even - there's nothing left but to acknowledge it. A little bit of a suggestion, however, leaves things open for interpretation, discussion, and creative thought.

Turning 180 degrees on that argument, what I really find here is that after a few ounces it becomes quite focused on a lemony citrus note, and I don't recall that in its previous incarnation. Of course, again, I'm going from memory but I recall a bit more floral and spice (saaz-like) character. It would be nice if there were more intricacies, but you can hardly fault it for that.

Overall, impressive.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 16:48:26 | More by NeroFiddled

crnipeter

Slovenia

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours thick Duvel-esque frothy white head that fails to create any long-lived lace on the sides
as it slowly recedes to a solid cloth atop of pale golden body with brilliant clarity that's not something I'd expect of a dry hopped bottle-conditioned ale unless it's been filtered thoroughly. Only the last pour produces some haze.

Sniffing instantly reveals unmistakable Citra hop character (citruses, gooseberry and lychee) underlain by pale malt sweetness and yeast byproducts: esters of apple and pear, and spicy phenols. The spicy notes might as well be hop (Saaz, Styrian Golding) or even alcohol-derived, thought. Perfumy alcohol adds to the complexity and even sulphury notes can be picked up.

Taste is just as one expects of a merger of Belgian Golden Strong Ale with American IPA : Belgian yeast character aided by loads of hops. Citrusy hop flavor mingles with spicy phenols, bitterness is evident but not harsh and seems at least in part phenol-derived. Alcoholic strength is dangerously hidden. Medium to full body is airy and mouthfilling, perhaps overly carbonated.

In short, more of a Belgian Golden Strong with IPA-ish hopage then IPA brewed with Belgian yeast (330 ml into tulip, BB 01-2015).

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 00:11:50 | More by crnipeter

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer is light golden in colour and the pour results in a very large white head. Good retention, excellent lacing.

Bright, citra-focused smell. Pineapple and grapefruit in a big way. Lemongrass as well. Aside from that, quite floral. Some yeast behind all the hops.

Taste is similar to the nose. Lots of citrus and tropical fruit flavours, and fairly bitter, particularly for the style. Belgian yeast. Very tasty. ABV is very well-hidden, drinks way too easily.

Full bodied, moderately carbonated, a bit oily. Nice.

Overall, very very good. Been awhile since I had the last tripel hop, so I am not sure how different it is, but this is very good. Surely a Belgian IPA style-wise.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 01:56:39 | More by jrenihan

superspak

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle into signature tulip glass, 2012 vintage. Pours lightly hazy golden straw color with a 2-3 finger fluffy white head with amazing retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Nice foamy lacing clings to the glass, with a nice amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big pineapple, mango, tangerine, orange zest, lemon, floral, grass, pear, light pepper, and herbal. Fantastic aromas with great hop balance and complexity. Taste of mango, pineapple, lemon zest, orange zest, floral, grass, light pepper, pear, tangerine, herbal, and earthy spiciness. Good amount of floral bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of pineapple, mango, orange zest, tangerine, floral, grass, light pepper, and herbal spiciness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic balance and complexity of hop flavors; great sweetness/bitterness balance as well; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium-full bodied; and an lightly slick, sticky, and fairly prickly mouthfeel that is very nice. Alcohol is extremely well hidden, with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic Belgian IPA. Great hop flavor balance and complexity; and very smooth to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 08:00:54 | More by superspak

dbell23

Tennessee

4.95/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured into a tulip glass from a 750ml bottle. The bottle opened with a champagne like pop. I saved this for New Year's Eve because its as close as I get to champagne. Looks like regular Duvel except the head bubbles seem to be larger. Beautiful golden color with a huge head that lingers forever. Very active carbonation. Great looking beer.

Smell is unbelievable. Lemongrass, slight pine, lemon/citrus seem to dominate. Yeast and malt are in the backround but are there. Smells like a lemony Duvel.

Taste is super good. It's like Duvel on lemon citrus steroids. Far and away this best Belgian ipa I have ever had. Clean complex and hoppy. Slight lingering hoppiness. Perfect accompaniment to the smoked salmon appetizers that I had with it.

Mouthfeel is really good. Doesn't seem to smooth out like Duvel does but really good.

Overall one of the best beers I have ever had. It's a tad pricey but certainly worth it for a special occasion. I definitely would classify it as a Belgian ipa not a strong pale ale.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 23:45:43 | More by dbell23

spoony

Colorado

4.13/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From a 750 ml bottle into a wine glass.

A-A careful pour (at pretty high altitude) resulted in two-plus fingers of shiny, white foam that was very slow to fade. Some nice lacing left on the glass as I consumed. The beer was light golden and pale in color with a fair amount of big, chunky bubbles visible.

S-The smell was among the hoppiest Belgians I have ever sniffed. Lots of peppery spice, lemongrass, hay, and citrus. A touch of alcohol and light malts. Pretty clean smelling.

T-The taste tracked the smell pretty closely with bitter, peppery, and lemony hop flavors dominating my palate. The beer had a great, long-lasting finish that sweetened up just a bit and gave just a little indication of the 9.5 % ABV.

M-Feel was light to medium body with moderate carbonation.

O-This was an enjoyable offering and close to, if not as good as, standard Duvel. If I had to critique, I would say the carbonation was touch heavy and the brew was skewed slightly towards the bitter and peppery end of the flavor spectrum (I could have used more bright citrus), but these are minor complaints about what is a very good and mostly well-balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 19:25:50 | More by spoony

lacqueredmouse

Australia

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

330ml bottle purchased from Slowbeer in Melbourne.

Pours an exceptionally light yellow colour: very fine and very clear. Head is a solid froth of white—surprisingly not as frothy and large as a regular Duvel usually gives. Carbonation is vibrant and pervasive. It looks like a very nice champagne. Very refined and exciting.

Nose is gorgeous. Big clean citric bite from the Citra, backed by solid leafy, herbal and fresh classic hop varieties. Smooth, clear light malt backs it up, providing a crisp organic character, but letting the hops do most of the work. Some spicy notes from the yeast come through as well, along with a hint of fragrant vanilla, but it's much cleaner than perhaps a standard Belgian ale at 9.5%. In some senses, it's rather reminiscent of an Imperial Pils. Lovely aroma.

Taste is clean and light, and drinkable in that skillful way the Belgians have of making high ABV beers so quaffable. Light mild estery notes on the mid-palate do inflame into a slightly boozy hint on the back. But there's a pleasant brut dryness to the finish as well, which musses up with some leafy hop notes, giving a crisp finish and a lilting flavour kick. Mostly, this is clean and fresh, and really rather pleasant indeed.

Mouthfeel is bright and sparkling, with a pleasant powdery effervescence. It really does justice to the bright crisp hop fragrances.

Yes, this is really excellent stuff. Fresh, fragrant and drinkable, but crafted with mastery and balanced wonderfully.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 00:53:54 | More by lacqueredmouse