St. Bernardus Tripel - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

FoundersFanatic

Ohio

3/5  rDev -29.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Not even going to fully review this beer. It was such a huge disappointment. From a reputable dealer so I know nothing was wrong with it either. It is way too carbonated and fizzy, so plain tasting, and I dare say it tasted like a slightly better Budweiser. Nothing about this beer tasted good or of anything interesting. Now, it's not disgusting or horrible, but it was borderline bad. I'm giving it a 3 because I don't want to rip such an apparent "legend" but it was worse than that. Super disappointed :(

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2012 01:26:10 | More by FoundersFanatic

MisterClean

California

3.03/5  rDev -28.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

From Total Wine in Roseville

A - Very foamy, lots of head, very carbonated, pours a see through light-golden color. Dissipates moderately fast.

S - Cloves, cinnamon, golden raisin, and slt alcohol.

T - Very biscuity, clove, spicy hops, and slightly peppery.

M - Peppery, yet sour, with notes of alcohol.

D - Drinkable, yet don't really care for this brand of tripel. Wondering why others like this beer so much. Several improvements could be made in the appearance, taste, and mouthfeel to be made into a more drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2008 15:28:11 | More by MisterClean

mrstevens

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

P: Golden color with huge white head, not much lacing.

S: I mostly smelled yeast with a little hint of fruit.

T: Yeast, pretty much exactly like the nose.

M: very carbonated, not too much going on.

D: I wasnt really impressed, my first experiences with a tripel, so maybe I tried the wrong one.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2010 02:52:34 | More by mrstevens

DoctorDog

Ohio

3.13/5  rDev -26.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Presentation: 11.2 oz bottle into a goblet.

A- Pours a hazy light golden/orange, loaded with sediment, which remain suspended as a well mixed solution, but eventually collect on the bottom of the glass. ~2 fingers of pure white head, which fades gradually, leaving a thin, incomplete and petri-dish looking cap. No lacing noted.

S- A sightly funky green-apple/light fruit bouquet.

T- Hoppy, sweet bannana flavors hit first. Lightly bitter, alcohol infused, slightly funky yeasty finish. Bit more alcohol bite than I'd anticipated.

M- Prickling carbonation, yet fairly creamy.

D- OK. A bit too boozy tasting for me to want more than one.

Future outlook: Eh, hard to say. Decent, but uninspiring IMO, so I won't soon seek it out again.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2008 04:12:27 | More by DoctorDog

wcudwight

North Carolina

3.15/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

280708---I'm interpreting this as best before July 28th 2008
Cloudy golden orange in color with an everlasting 2 finger white head. Lot's a lacing.
Smells floral, herbal and fruity. Nice.
Lemon and apricot in the flavor. A bit spicy. IMHO the fruit and spice flavors just don't mix well.
The mouthfeel is what really disappoints me. It's too carbonated and chalky feeling.
Drinkability is only fair. Would be much better, but I just really don't like the mouthfeel.
I'm not saying it's a bad beer. In fact I consider it a must try. But....I'd have other Triples before this one.

Serving type: bottle

03-13-2007 05:41:10 | More by wcudwight

BeerLover729

New York

3.18/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: Golden orange color beer with a bubbly, frothy head that never dissipates.
S: Green apple juice, alcohol.
T: Distinct ester presence of tart fruits, cloves. Very mellow diacetyl caramel upon warming. Potentially, there is a detectable coriander spice. Noticeable husky flavors that seem harsh and astringent like. An on the dryer side tripel with light phenolic properties.
M: Crisp, light medium body with a vigorous sharp carbonation that helps take away from husky harshness.
D: Cloyingness from the astringent like after taste gives this beer average drinkablility.

Notes: The pronounced harsh flavors I experienced in this beer can perhaps be due to a bad bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2008 22:49:34 | More by BeerLover729

scoobybrew

Iowa

3.2/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I poured this beer into a tulip glass. The color is golden. The head is thick with very good retention. The aroma is mostly yeast phenolics with just a trace of malt, nothing extraordinary. Upon tasting, it has a nice balance between the yeast, malt and hops. It's almost a little too balanced. However there is a subtle sweetness to it, but perhaps a little too subdued to make it exceptional. It has a creamy, medium-light body with high carbonation.

Overall, this is a decent offering of the Tripel style, but it's a little too ordinary for my taste. I can drink this, but I wouldn't be writing home about it the next day. I would most likely recommend another brewery if someone inquired which commercial tripel to purchase. St. Bernardus offers other varieties that I feel are superior to this.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2006 19:54:35 | More by scoobybrew

tayner

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -24.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured a hazy yellow with lots of floaties and large white head that settles to a ring with a slight coating. minimal lacing

Smell is of alcohol and some spicy hops

This is my least favorite of the St. Bernardus beers by far. Almost too tangy, not enough sweetness to balance out the belgian yeast and spicy hops. Not bready enough for me.

Fairly thin and quite carbonated.

I can drink this, but i wont make a conscious decision to buy it again. The dubbel is a much better, more balanced beer IMO

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2008 01:25:55 | More by tayner

aforbes10

Iowa

3.23/5  rDev -24%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Bottle label has been punched at 3, 8 and 9, although im not sure if that means anything.

Huge white head (4 inches) that goes down to about 1/8 inch aver period of 10 minutes. Lots of nice lacing. tawny bronze color with lots of sediment.

Odor is mostly alcohol with malts, citrus (like sour fruits) and soy sauce.

Intricate flavor hidden beneath a really prevelant alcohol bite. Alcohol is too much to deal with at times.

tongue-numbing and tingly.

not too hot on this Tripel. i was excited because it was a christmas gift but it just didn't do anything for me. ive had better, and this just didnt cut it for me, especially because of the predominence of the alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2006 13:59:01 | More by aforbes10

DARIVA

Netherlands

3.23/5  rDev -24%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: Slightly cloudy beer with a beautiful head.

S: Can recognize the smell of anise and the smell of lemon.

T: Spicy and slightly bitter beer.

M: Spicy beer with a slight tingling sensation and a moderate foam.

O: Fairly drinkable and tasty beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2012 19:32:46 | More by DARIVA

far333

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Apricot-pineapple colored and cloudy with big chunky particles floating and suspended. A high head of chunky light-orange foam rises up and remains. Aroma is light, consisting of lemon and mango. Flavor is a bit yeasty, some lemon and spice and a slight cherry undertone. The ABV makes itself known with a bitter finish. Not as complex as I had anticipated. Thanks to MJR for sharing.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2004 23:34:47 | More by far333

Rastacouere

Quebec (Canada)

3.25/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Dark yellow with a few sediments left, generous head. Malty and yeasty aroma. The taste is very malty sweet with a decent fruitiness of oranges, lemon, bananas and mango, a little sour, lightly bitter finish. It's not poorly done, but I certainly expected more from a tripel, especially from this brewery. A ton of better examples out there with far more interesting yeast strain.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2004 14:53:33 | More by Rastacouere

Onslow

Texas

3.25/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

just want to say thanks to mr.moneyman for my two bottles, much appreciated ... interesting brew ... some honey and belgian honeycomb blocks of caramel .... is a tasty little morsel ... never wear sunglasses at night.. would have to say this is a very mellow trippel, maybe to much for some...

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2008 22:37:11 | More by Onslow

kojevergas

California

3.3/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on draught into a St. Bernardus goblet in Poperinge, Belgium, whilst waiting for a belbus to pick me up to take me to the Westvleteren abbey. Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours a one finger head with nice cream lacing. Decent thickness. Hazy orange colour. Poor retention is understandable considering the 8% ABV.

Sm: Fruit esters: orange and citrus mainly. Hoppy but light strength.

T: Hoppy body with lingering estery notes through the finish. Relatively simple build for a tripel. Balanced but somewhat bland. Not a beer to be served at cold draught temperature; it's better suited as a summer afternoon beer to be sipped intermittently.

Mf: A bit chewy, but delightfully light. Nicely smooth and refreshing.

Dr: Nothing special, but fairly priced if you're in Belgium. Give it a go, but don't expect a great abbey beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 22:30:28 | More by kojevergas

Murrhey

Montana

3.3/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Pilsner glass.

Poured with a thick two finger head that quickly vanished, but stayed pleasantly bubbly throughout the beer.

Appearance: Clouded, orangeish-brown with a bubbly head.

Smell: The smell was lovely and not too alcoholic, and not overpowering with hoppiness as well.

Taste: Very sweet for such a strong beer, but didn't seem to offer much else otherwise. Average taste wise, as I suppose I prefer more complicated flavors.

Mouthfeel: Was ideal. I enjoyed every sip in my mouth.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 03:13:41 | More by Murrhey

Prufrock

Massachusetts

3.33/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

11.2 oz. bottle into a pilsner.

hazy golden orange with a frothy white head. leaves a touch of lacing.

fruity sweet aroma with candy sugar and a hint of the alcohol content. a touch of belgian yeast and belgian spiciness.

medium-bodied and a high carbonation. bready malts with herbs and an alcohol sweetness. much more subdued than the 12 in flavor. goes down easy, but fairly reserved for a tripel.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2006 17:25:04 | More by Prufrock

jjanega08

Minnesota

3.33/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

A= a dark golden color with a huge head. This bottle gushed all over the place on me.
S= decent but not a great nose. Coffee and chocolate dominate.
T= watery with some coffee flavors in it. A lot more water than I expected.
M= watery. Maybe this one gushed out all of its carbonation.
D= average. This is a good intro to belgians I think. Its not over powering with the complex flavors but its still got the asic taste. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2009 15:53:50 | More by jjanega08

PorterLambic

Florida

3.33/5  rDev -21.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours cloudy with zero head. A medium brown with a tinge of orange throughout. Not surprisngly, no lace.
Smell is malt, sour, banana, spices and sour apple. Well balanced.
Taste is weak witj malt, sour, green apple, light spice and a hnt of vinegar. Not as good as th nose.
Medium body with lighter than expected carbonation. I wish I could rate this as well as everyone else. I love theor other brews a lot but this one just came up short to me. I'm hoping this one is bad honestly.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2011 01:02:10 | More by PorterLambic

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.35/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

A-cloudy dull gold with a white head that thins

S-pale belgian spices. medium strength with some bananas. smells malty

T-comes in with a smooth taste of banana and quickly becomes fairly harsh with a bitter taste of alcohol. this harsh taste doesn't last long and a good after-taste of banana and crackers comes in. this is a very predictable tripel.

M-medium to high carbonation with a dry finish

O-pretty average for a tripel. overall not as harsh as some tend to get. easy drinking and fairly boring, no something i need to get again.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2011 01:47:28 | More by AdamBear

KiltedCulinarian

Georgia

3.35/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a branded goblet, poured an orangey-yellow colour with a pure white head a full finger tall. A spicey nose that describes the flavour perfectly. Tasted like beer with hints of cardamom and a little cinnamon. Not as sweet and rich as I expected a Belgian Tripel to be.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2012 03:02:30 | More by KiltedCulinarian

ibbjamin

California

3.38/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Poured this 11.2 oz bottle into a goblet. Date? on back of bottle is 05 10 10. Perhaps an expiration date?

Leaves about a quarter inch white fizzy head after a standard pour. Very cloudy and opaque with much sediment. Gold straw color. Some small head retention. Minimal carbonation.

Yeasty and spicy nose and taste with a banannas frutiness.

Medium body. Good carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2009 03:59:09 | More by ibbjamin

Offa

California

3.38/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

This is fairly good and pleasant but too characterless, bland, and dry, traits that I find all too often in dubbels and tripels and which make me sometimes wonder what people see in the style, before I again find one that is wonderful.

Bright, clear gold before the sediment makes it hazy, it has a huge white head that steadily but quickly shrinks to a lasting, thin wispy top and leaves a little uneven, foamy lace.

The aroma is lots of grain, light raisin, bread crust, mineral, some pear and hay, overall a bit like a nice malt liquor or a pale bock.

The taste is pear and hay at first, with mineral, slightly raisiny but mostly dry alcohol, and a hint of lemon pulp, but all thin and dry, with a finish and aftertaste of dry fruit candy without the sweetness. This leaves it largely one-dimensionl and bland.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2009 18:10:39 | More by Offa

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

3.4/5  rDev -20%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a Duvel tulip. 8% ABV, 46-50 F, Best by end 13 07 11.

A - Well, after I cracked the cap I set the beer down for literally 2 seconds only to look back to find it overflowing everywhere which stirred up possibly the most yeast I've ever seen in a bottle. A half-bottle pour gave the beer a completely clouded-over dirty grapefruit skin appearance. The head was but a finger tall, white, and sank slowly leaving a ring of lace.

S - The aroma is absolutely potent with yeast from the ridiculous amount of sediment. Small hints of bubble gum pair with a lemony citrus nose. No hops but the malty aroma is decently prominent. A little candi sugar gives the end some sweetness.

T - Unfortunately the flavor consists heavily of yeast, Belgian yeast at least. It still has background characteristics of a tripel; pale malts with mild sweetness along side lemony citrus flavor and some mild spice.

M - Medium-bodied, smooth with a crisp carbonation bite to the finish. A little over-carbonated I'd say after the beer's impression of "Old Faithful". A little dry and bitter to the finish.

D - Yes, this beer would be much better had it not gushed everywhere but sadly, til I have another, I review what I've got and clearly this was over-carbonated. It sat in the fridge dormant and was at 48.6 degrees F. It seems, besides the abundant yeast, it's a decent, if not great tripel. I'll keep my eye out for another.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2010 23:40:39 | More by BeerFMAndy

maleman

Mississippi

3.4/5  rDev -20%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into an SA glass (sorry, the closest thing I had to a chalice!). Poured mid-amber with a bubbly three-finger head with oily lacing. No freshness dating noted on bottle.

S - Superior malty smell, along with some spice..clove, maybe?

T - Yep, it was clove! But it's not overbearing. A bit of pepper in the aftertaste.

M - medium-bodied, you can sense the alcohol. Very good carbonation. I get the taste in the rear center of my mouth.

D - I once thought that Trappist Ales were the best beers available. As I get older the IPA's and the darker stuff has more appeal to me. Not bad, though...would drink again.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 22:25:49 | More by maleman

samie85

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -20%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy (due to a not so careful pour) orange color with two pillowy fingers of white head.

Smells of sweet grain with some light bubblegum and very light clove notes.

Very sweet grain upfront with a much spicier finish than the nose lets on...clove, and a bit of bitterness on the finish.

Medium bodied with ample carbonation and finishes dry and warming.

My first Tripel was Tripel Karmeliet and that kind of turned me off to the style as I wasn't a fan of the phenolic spicy qualities. I've since tried a few other examples and St. Bernardus has been the mildest in terms of these notes which I appreciate.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2012 16:34:54 | More by samie85