Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Tripel - Westbrook Brewing Co.

n2185

North Carolina

4.34/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

A: pours a slightly hazy orange-gold with three fingers of cloudy white head that fades into a thin cap witb a lot of lacing.

S: candy sugar with sweet light fruits like apples and pears. There are some slightly funky and barnyard notes that follow with oak, brandy, and wine.

T: Belgian spices and candy sugar, oak, red wine and brandy, sweet fruits, and some funky barnyard flavors.

M: medium body and carbonation, this beer isn't as crisp as I'd like, but avoids being too watery or thick.

O: an enjoyable beer overall. I really like what the brandy adds to the tripel.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 00:34:34 | More by n2185

Treebs

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle served in a Westbrook snifter. Bottled September 10, 2012. Big thanks to rnorgart for the bottle!

A: Pours a hazy amber color with a frothy yellowish head forming on the pour. It recedes to a thick film and leaves a lot of soapy lace down the glass.

S: There are a ton of awesome smells going on. Brandy barrel, some light green apple with a subtle tartness. Sweet malt bill, a little pale in nature with minimal yeasty notes coming through. A little oaky as well with a touch of funk.

T: The base tripel really comes on in the flavor profile with the accompanying brandy barrel. Apple tartness, fruity Belgian yeast with a little bubble gum. Mild funk with some dry oak barrel.

M: Medium light bodied with a very yeasty and dry finish. Ample medium high carbonation that makes pretty drinkable for a drying, 10% tripel.

O: The nose was excellent on this beer and it was nice that the base tripel still shown through on the taste. The few other barrel treatments I've had of this beer have been a little too barrel forward so this was a nice treat.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:23:46 | More by Treebs

thagr81us

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared this one at the tasting while Mississipping was in town for Christmas! Served from bottle into a Mikkeller taster flute. Poured a golden yellow-orange with a one finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, funk, wood, green apple, fruit, and banana. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, wood, apple, funk, fruit, and very subtle sweet alcohol. It had a light feel on the palate with medium-high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty good brew. When I first heard of this one and saw that it was aged in apple brandy barrels. I was definitely not disappointed in any way, shape, or form. This brew honestly brought out all of the best aspects that I love about apple brandy while not bringing the alcohol burn that can be associated with it. It imparted a really unique flavor that I have never experienced in a Tripel before. Out of the brews we shared this night I can honestly say that this one was the standout for all in attendance. Very nicely done Westbrook!

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 13:36:35 | More by thagr81us

zac16125

South Carolina

4.13/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750mL bottle into a tulip
bottled Sept 10th 2012

A: Pours a hazy amber orange with 2.5 fingers width of slightly off-white colored head, which takes a good amount of time to dissipate down. Leaves an almost completely solid sheet of lacing the whole way down the glass.

S: Tons of sweetness with huge apple notes along with banana and citrus. A hint of clove, banana ice cream, sweet brandy, peppery spice. Wonderful aroma here.

T: Taste is ever sweeter than the aroma. Candy sugar, like rock candy. Some peppery spice, and a touch of bitterness on the finish. I also get banana, that lingers for a long time after each sip, citrus in the form of orange and lemon zest, and some boozy notes.

M/D: Carbonation on the lower end of the spectrum, especially for a Tripel, but thats ok in my book, I like low carbonated beers. Smooth, with a somewhat syrupy mouthfeel. ABV is noticeable, but not in a bad way. Drinkability is excellent.

O: Overall, another really nice offering from Westbrook. I had pretty high expectation for a brandy barrel aged tripel, and I wasn't let down. Wonderful aroma, and lots of great flavors. Can't wait to see where they take this Barrel Room Reserve Series.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 22:07:51 | More by zac16125

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by raveskdr. Thanks Chris.

The beer is orange with a thin head, appearing mildly hazy. The aroma brings a touch of fruity malt, oak, yeast. The apples and booze emerge much more in the flavor than the aroma. A tad tart in the finish. Pronounced oak presence throughout. Sweetness from the brandy. Booze presence is there but not a barrier to enjoyment. Overall, this was tasty, albeit in small quantities.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2012 23:52:04 | More by Huhzubendah