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

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

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

Greywulfken

New York

4.85/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I'm probably going to skew the numbers here, because I think this is an excellent beer. I must confess that I am partial to Duvel, and also DIPAs and BSPAs. I have had the 2010 Duvel Tripel Hop and found it to be a good beer, but I wasn't overwhelmed. I would say I preferred the standard Duvel. Recently had the Duvel Rustica by Ommegang (owned by Duvel Morrtgat) , which I found to be a very nice take on the classic... Duvel in a farmhousey-kinda way. I wish I had another bottle of the 2010 to re-evaluate my tastes.
Psyched when I saw this on the rack.

A: Always a perfect "5" for me - this is how I want a pale ale to look. Crystal clear pale gold beer with a "big-as-you-want-it" head of frost white sea foam. Laces and drapes are left behind. Bubbles stream joyfully from the bottom of my tulip throughout the session.

S: Reminiscent of fields of hay; bright Belgian yeast notes; vague citrus of grapefruit and lemon, subtly in the background

T: Fresh crisp malt and sharp hops, edges of grapefruit and bright citrus; sweeter wine-like flavors move effortlessly across the palate; with warming, flavors blossomed into orchards of fruit and white wine grapes with lemony zest

M: Soft meets sharp - creamy pale malts slip across the tongue at the same time the effervescence startles the palate; refreshing and bracing, but also an easy slow-sipper.

O: Fantastic beer.
If Ommegang's Duvel Rustica was the "Duvel saison," then this is the Duvel Imperial. The Citra hops really bang their flavors across the normal palette of Duvel tastes. This is so tempting for me to go "5"'s across the boards, but I'm sure there's some taint of enthusiasm.
I would enthusiastically recommend this beer. I think it was at least a $20 bottle in my area, but it's worth it. This is an excellent celebratory beer, and it is also worthy of celebration. This is a "you-owe-it-yourself" beer (assuming you're into Belgian pales and Duvel-esque beers) - not to be passed up on.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 03:10:47 | More by Greywulfken

eric5bellies

Australia

4.83/5  rDev +12.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Drank from an oversized wine glass

A - Pours a pale straw colour with a white creamy two fingered head that retains well and laces the glass.

S - Big hoppy aromas, with a slightly sweet backbone.

T - Big flavours of Grapefruit, White Wine, and Fresh Oak with a nice sweet malt in the background. A slight warming finish. The flavours just seem to linger on the palate for quite some time. The balance in this beer is first class.

M - Medium to high carbonation and such a smooth body of medium.

O - This is a real treat and if you see it then buy it. I don't see how this beer can be improved upon, and it gets full marks for innovation. A fantastic mix of new and old world beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 15:20:41 | More by eric5bellies

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

Douberd

Netherlands

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A bottle of 330 ml, similar to the classic Duvel, with Tripel Hop written under the name and the clarification, "Dry Hopped With Citra Hops" in a circle, on the lower right side of the label.
Since this is made only for this year and they're planning to make it with a different hops variety every year, I thought that it deserved a different entry.
Poured into a tulip glass, very similar to the Duvel one, after letting the beer warm up a bit. Colour is pale golden yellow, with some bubbles rising to the top and a whooping head of four fingers. Great retention and light lacing around the glass as it goes down. The head never disappears completely, even now, I have a thick part of it into my glass.
Aroma is.. fantastic! I haven't met another beer with this kind of fruity aroma. Mostly I get a fruity aroma of dark fruits, but never before something like this. The citra hops are really making a difference. I smell some guava and a bunch of other tropical fruits.
Taste is also great, much more bitter than I expected from the smell and much more bitter than the original Duvel too. Some citrus and tropical fruits on the taste again, result of the citra hops I suppose. The alcohol is there, but very masterfully concealed. I get the warming feeling but I can't feel it that much on the taste. Aftertaste is also quite bitter.
Full on the body and quite a bit of carbonation, maybe a little too much.

I am not a huge fun of Duvel, and don't get me wrong, I like it and I would gladly drink it on every given occasion, I just don't get all the hype around it. But this one, not only I liked it, I loved it, mostly for the superb aroma and then for the great, bitter taste. I had got myself three bottles already, before I even try it, but this one will probably be the first beer that will send me back to the store, in order to get some more and store in my cellar.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 20:50:12 | More by Douberd

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

thierrynantes

France

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

Beer bottle (33cl), purchased from Le Souffleur de bières, tasted in 2012.

Appearance : golden color, with huge white foamy head (nice lacing).
Smell : rich nose and fruity aromas (litchies)
Taste and mouthfeel : complex flavors fresh hops & grassy, delicate and strong, very good bitterness in finish and delicate long mouth.
Drinkability : A very nice beer, in the style "golden ale".

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 17:45:34 | More by thierrynantes

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

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

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

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from bottle into 3oz taster glass by an awesome beertender in Kentucky...who lugged it back from belgium. Thank you!
Poured a golden straw with nice thick foamy head. Great citrusy sweet hop and "belgian" yeast aroma. Such a good smell....
Taste is just amazing. Crazy citrus and sugary hop mixed with belgian malt and yeast profile...such a strange mix, but they really nailed the balance here. Imagine La'Chouffe Dobbelen with citra...
Great brew...have one if you see it. Its great if you like belgians and IPAs...
Awesome!

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:03:20 | More by DrinkSlurm

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

fdig23

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle purchased from Wegmans-Downingtown. Really upscale looking packaging with gold foil wrapped cage & cork and a little booklet explaining the beer.

Appearance: Cloudy straw colored body with a big, fluffy pure white head. Plenty of bubbles streaming to the surface. Head lasts for the whole glass.

Nose: Untoasted wheat bread, typical Belgian aromas, sour lemonade and pine needles

Taste: Wheat at first, followed by bitter lemon and pine thanks to the Citra, rounds out with some caramel notes and boozy heat

Mouthfeel: Light in body but extremely carbonated. Overwhelmingly so at first, but as the beer sits out it becomes more pleasant.

Overall, an above average belgian golden pale with nice lemon & pine IPA characteristics, but not quite the perfection of the original Duvel.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 18:27:30 | More by fdig23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TallSaint

United Kingdom (Scotland)

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

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

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