Craftsman Triple White Sage - Craftsman Brewing Co.

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.9/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Sampled on tap at Father's Office
This beer has a hazy, honey color and a very thin, pale white, wispy head that never quite covers the top of the beer. A nicely herbaceous note of sage hits my nose; it is very aromatic, green, a touch savory and something even like fresh weed. Scents of orange zest, honey and clove are noticeable at times underneath the dominant sage aromatics.

The flavor has a certain sweetness to it, yet somehow the herbal character allows the over all perception of this beer to be dry. The beer tastes of sage, of course, but interestingly enough it is note nearly as pronounced as it is in the nose. Notes of honey, biscuit-like malt, a hint of bergamot and even some peach-like pear flavors are found here. The sage & yeast character evokes notes of mint, perhaps a touch of rosemary, pitch and perhaps even some coriander notes. The carbonation, though somewhat light, adds some sharpness via carbonic acid, as does some peppery / ginger fermentation derived flavors.

This has a fairly full mouthfeel to it; the malt almost sticks to the palate. It is certainly not rich, though it is in line with many examples of Tripels. I wonder if the honey notes, which are certainly malt influenced, are accentuated in my mind by the sage; after all sage-honey is a tasty nectar. This pairs really well with food, which plays up the honey and malt flavors and allows the sage to pair and meld with the food flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2007 22:50:50 | More by Gueuzedude

rallison

California

4.5/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Beachwood BBQ.

One truly amazing beer. This one really impressed me. First off, this was an extremely delicate and perfectly balanced beer. Initial tastes were of a tripel crossed with a saison - it had both the complexity and flavor of a tripel, but with the lightness of a saison. Sage was apparent, and added a great layer of complexity to the spice profile. A touch of wheaty earthiness, with some tropical fruits (just a touch).

Alcohol was not apparent at all. 9%?? Where? Mouthfeel leaned toward the creamy. Drinkability was insanely high.

Highly recommended. This is a standout beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2007 05:14:19 | More by rallison

Westsidethreat

California

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Fathers Office in Santa Monica

A: The color of golden sunshine and yellow straw. Cloudy with small bubbles streaming to the top in ribbons. The head is white like snow.

S: The smell is fresh like a moist spring day, with a definite essence of Mexican purple sage mixed with lavender. Hints of rosemary and olive oil gives a Tuscan aura to the beer.

T: The first sip explodes with plum, dried apricot, pear and mango spiked with cardamom and all-spice. The taste remains light and airy like a white, yet complex and intriguing.

M: Carbinated to perfection, with bubbles that tickle the mouth delightfully. The body is juicy and round filling the mouth with flavor.

D: This is a beer I won't forget and will crave again and again.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2006 02:45:45 | More by Westsidethreat

Boilermaker88

California

4.08/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I paid a visit to the newly opened Lucky Baldwins east branch in Sierra Madre yesterday and opted for this unusual beer from Craftsman, a local Pasadena nano-brewery that has produced some real treats so far, IMO.
Served in a tulip glass, White Sage Tripel had a slightly cloudy golden color, vibrant carbonation and was topped by a sticky white head that was quite durable and left gooey lace. Quite nice to the eyes.
The nose left no doubt as to how the beer came by its name. Sage aroma fairly erupted from the glass, applying an herbal counterpoint to the sweet grain and boozy alcohol notes. Some even lighter notes of coriander and white pepper make for an intriguing blend of aromas.
The taste was intensely herbal; all about sage with accompanying pepperiness. Tropical fruit and candy sugar sweetness combine with alcohol to create a nice contrast of flavors that work quite well together. The sage might be a a bit over the top but it's not really a bad thing here. Without it, I think the alcohol would run rampant and skew the beer into something bordering undrinkable. The feel was medium-bodied, creamy and velvety-smooth.
Overall, I really enjoyed this unique twist on the Belgian strong pale ale theme. If you don't like sage, save yourself the trouble and pass on it. But if sage is a favored spice, Craftsman's White Sage Triple could be a real treat. Recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

10-05-2005 02:16:58 | More by Boilermaker88

ithacabaron

California

4.55/5  rDev +17.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden yellow with burnished orange touches at the tips, and a creamy white head. The head soon fades down, but it is easily revived by a little swishing of the glass.

Smell is rediculous. Golden sweet pale malt, a touch of alcohol, and savory, rich, herbal sage. Just beautiful. Makes me yearn for a roasted chicken. Could sniff this one all night.

Taste is muted candi sugar, the yeast minimized, and appearing as a slightly musty underlying sensation on the sides of my tongue. The herbal nature of the sage keeps the usual tripel alcoholic sweetness at bay, and creates a drying, balanced beverage. Delicious.

Mouthfeel is pillow soft and foamy, keeping things bright and interesting. Very appropriate.

Drinkability could actually get a higher number, but the 9% ABV (well hidden, by the way), makes having only one glass a prudent decision. Then again, I had this several times during the week when I saw it on tap, and I've kept having an unusual craving for more of it. Oddly alluring.

All in all, a great take on what is too often a misunderstood style. Time and time again, I've had US interpretations of tripels that end up all too simple, all too one-dimensional, and all too boozy. This gives me faith that there are better domestic examples out there...and it's made me start drawing up recipes of my own so that I can brew with sage as soon as possible.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2005 02:34:10 | More by ithacabaron

garthwaite

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sampled on tap at Father's Office in Santa Monica. Bright pale yellowish-white with a substantial white bubbly head. Enticing aroma of fresh herbs, lemongrass, and minty clove. Crisp & bubbly in the mouth with strong but fresh sage taking a front seat. Additional complexity comes through in the form of pale wheat, lemon peel citrus, & mild peppery hops. Medium bodied and amazingly fresh, crisp, & clean throughout. One-of-a-kind creation & one I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to taste.

Serving type: on-tap

09-24-2004 19:30:52 | More by garthwaite

jcalabre

California

4.38/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I had this at Stone's 7th Anniversary party.
Appearance: This beer is a cloudy brown color.
Aroma; The nose is savory. The flavors are those you'd find that would go well with roasted poultry (hint sage)
this is a very unique, tasty brew. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2003 00:30:34 | More by jcalabre