St. Bernardus Tripel - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

Rutager

British Columbia (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

330ml, bb 11 12 14

Appearance. Pours a hazy honey-gold with a finger of frothy white head that settles to a skim fairly fast.

Smell. Roasted grains and bright, fruity belgian yeast with some classic belgian spice. Smells like the real deal.

Taste. Plenty of belgian yeast and some spice. Some great malts in there, lightly sweet and just a little bitterness. Lightly grassy and earthy. Very nice.

Mouthfeel. Medium+ body with fairly strong carbonation.

Overall. Admittedly, this isn't one of the best styles for me, but a very well made beer. I drank the whole thing, which is saying a lot for this guy.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 02:14:26 | More by Rutager

UCLABrewN84

California

3.98/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best by 7/18/14.

Pours a murky orange-brown with a foamy bone colored head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Small streaks and dots of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, fruits, honey, and yeast. Taste is much the same with some slight spice flavors on the finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with some nice aromas and flavors that make it easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 04:51:37 | More by UCLABrewN84

kscaldef

Oregon

3.68/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Best before date 03/03/15, poured into a Chimay goblet

A: Slightly cloudy, dark golden. Good sized, dense white head.

S: Yeasty and bready. Spicy & clove notes from the yeast. A bit of a lager-y aroma as well.

T: Light sweetness on the start, but fairly dry overall. Mild apple flavor with a bit of spice. Finishes fairly bitter. Light alcohol contribution. Pleasant, but fairly uninteresting.

M: Strong carbonation. Quite dry in the month. Clean bitterness on the finish that lingers for about 30 seconds.

O: Good, but not exciting me that much. The bitterness seems a little out of balance and detracts for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 03:35:41 | More by kscaldef

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: golden honey liquid with excellent clarity and a lot of carbonation with 1" of foamy white head with nice lacing.

S: pears, sour yeast and grassy hops

T: Apples, pears, white grapes, and some grassy hops in the finish

M: soft, with medium viscosity and high fine carbonation. Some drying from the alcohol

O: World class. The appearance and taste of this tripel are phenomenal.

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 02:42:33 | More by DaftCaskBC

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.93/5  rDev +16%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

St. Bernardus Tripel has a fizzy, ginger ale-type, white head and a hazy, golden-orange appearance, with lots of champagne fizziness and a plethora of suspended brownish-gray particles floating about. The aroma is of spicy bread, fruit, and sugar candy. Taste is of spicy fruit cake, bread, raisin, malt, and a lot of other stuff I can’t pinpoint. Bitterness is low with this one. The mouthfeel is tingly and medium, and St. Bernardus Tripel finishes mostly dry, tasty, and highly drinkable, which could get a drinker into trouble. Overall, it lives up to its reputation.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 14:07:17 | More by RonaldTheriot

Greywulfken

New York

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

A: hazy gold with a fluffy head that settles into a finely-bubbled cap with laces

S: citrusy hops and sweet pale malt, floral yeast

T: lemony honey, spice and faint clove; flavors blossom as the beer warms

M: medium body, fizzy cabonation, neither sweet nor dry on the finish - somewhat in-the-middle

O: a good tripel - I wasn't blown away by it the way I was by their Abt 12 - but there is no doubt that these guys know what they're doing when they're brewing

Serving type: bottle

08-17-2012 20:06:56 | More by Greywulfken

claspada

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear, bright, orangey-gold color with a decent size head of white foam.

Aromas begin with a sugary sweet maltiness with hints of spicy hops, fruit-flavored bubblegum yeastiness, some slight booze and more honey candy.

The tastes begin with sweet pale maltiness with a bit of breadiness. Large dose of honey candy with a some lemony/citrus fruitiness and a drop of vanilla extract. As it warms you get more of the spicy, flowery hops that impart a medium-low bitterness. You can also detect a splash of bubblegum from the yeast with some light accompanying alcohol heat and peppery yeast.

The mouthfeel is medium-bodied with medium-high, slightly prickly carbonation. Finish is niether dry or sweet or anything really. A bit peppery if I had to choose one thing.

Overall this is a very good tripel from one of the staple Belgian brewers in the world. Not my favorite style but pretty much what I would want from a Tripel if I was ever in the mood to drink one. Not to the quality of Westmalle but close. Recommended for fans of the style, good place to start your craft beer exploration if it is just beginning.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 17:54:02 | More by claspada

Arno

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

appearance: Dark golden, almost orange slightly hazy color. Good white foam, nice lacing.

smell: I get some ripe tropical fruits, yeasty, wheaty and sugar.

taste: It starts with a fresh fruity and herbal flavor, into a more defined banana bread sugary flavor. Finishes surprisingly light and fluid with some caramel flavor to it. Can't really get my finger around it. There is also some creaminess to it.

mouthfeel: Quite creamy, but also quite some carbonation to break through it, making it fresh.

overall: I just love this beer. It's somehow hard to really pinpoint the flavors. There is so much going on, and yet it's a very easy to drink beer. It's a mystery to me. Making this beer very interesting when focused on it, and very, very drinkable when just relaxing and having a beer. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2012 01:17:36 | More by Arno

chanokokoro

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 330 ml bottle into a St. Bernardus branded chalice

Pours a hazy gold with dark amber accents and a two finger bright white pillowy head. Abundant lacing as the head recedes. Incredible head retention. An amazing aroma of spices, Belgian yeast, and ripe fruit on the nose. Opens with herbs and flora with just a touch of spice, juicy fruit in the middle and finishes dry with some sweetness, extremely mild herbal bitterness and a touch of alcohol. The mouthfeel is mind-blowing. Slightly heavy bodied, however slick with abundant velvet-like creaminess. A very uniquely amazing tripel and a brew everyone should seek out.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 06:21:34 | More by chanokokoro

CFHMagnet

Ohio

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

A delicate pour into my snifter gets me a full three fingers of head over an amber body. Bubbles and sediment can be plainly seen floating freely in the glass. Keeps a little froth and a ring. Some decent lacing as well.

Yeast, wheat and Belgian candy sugar play all over your nose in this beer. Banana, clove and other light spices fill it out and give it that true tripel smell.

The sweetness of the sugar compliments the early yeast and wheat beginning. This takes on a light caramel tone as the yeast gets stronger and transitions into banana and spices. Awesome flavor.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied. Coats the mouth a little without being sticky. Slightly bitter near the end, it finishes dry. Makes you want another sip.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 17:37:18 | More by CFHMagnet

brouwer

Montana

4.98/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Recently bought a four pack of 11.5 ounce bottles. Poured into a trumpet glass. Very generous head with lacing and an abundant aroma. The mouthfeel is wonderfully fresh carbonation and a sweet aftertaste. I find this a great example of a tripel. I would recommend this to anyone with the desire to experience a great example of a tripel.

Serving type: bottle

07-29-2012 21:16:25 | More by brouwer

keithmurray

Louisiana

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750ML Bottle poured into a tulip

Appearance - crisp clear golden colour with a bit of white head

smell - bready yeast, lemon peel, green apple

taste - lemon,green apple, bready yeast, ginger, pale malts, just a touch of heat (black pepper maybe?)

mouthfeel - smooth, heavier side of medium bodied, ample carbonation, just a touch of sweetness, dry finish. really refreshing, crisp and clean, not a trace of booze, either

overall - this is up there with the best tripels I've had, really nice balance to this. A must have for you tripel lovers out there

Price Point - $10.99/750ML bottle

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 19:59:19 | More by keithmurray

viverlee

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Historical context, like many things, can be good in moderation. I’m most definitely interested in partaking of this bottle-conditioned beaut right here, today. But I also believe it’s worth pointing out that, at least according to scholars at the brouwerij, the St. Bernardus family of beers owes its stellar foundation to ancient rainfall, buried 150 meters below ground, and the canonized tears of Jeanne d’Arc.

STYLE: Belgian Tripel

ABV: 8%

LOOK: Pours a hazy, amber-orange base that won’t win any beauty contests. Not that it really matters because the head is to die for. Literally, when the world finally tires of this beer vivant’s act, I want to be buried in this shit. It’s a two-finger foam pillow, so flat, so inviting.

NOSE: It’s Belgian, yeah, but should I be getting more? Marshmallows, yes, and some citrus rind too … maybe lemon, probably orange.

MOUTH: Fuck yeah. Powdered sugar, clove, apricot, Fruit Stripes, pineapple upside down cake. Restrained Belgian yeast. If it weren’t for the excellent head it might be a little light. But all together the weight, it’s perfect. Not to sip, not to chug, just to enjoy.

Beeradvocate Rating: 94

Hayward Abbey Rating: 94

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2012 02:43:31 | More by viverlee

sureshot08

Arizona

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a hazy light amber color with a white head that retains a thin layer. Some yeast sediment.

Smell: Wheat, Belgian spices, banana, candy sugar, apricot

Taste: Fruity with some caramel tones, dry finish, crisp, classic Beligan spice flavor

Mouthfeel: High carbonation but coats the palate well

Overall: Great beer. On par with the trappist tripels I have had.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2012 03:25:28 | More by sureshot08

Converge

Alberta (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle poured into a 16oz goblet.

A - Bubbly head, just under one finger off the pour. Off-white, slightly tan color. The beer is a hazy, burnt orange, with a lot of yeasty sediment. The head quickly dissipates, forming a thin ring around the glass. Slight spots of lacing appear, but soon slide back down the glass.

S - Lots of earthy, bready notes. Wheat, Belgian spices, and a slightly reserved yeastiness. A touch of dark fruitiness, with some light floral hops as well. A hint of Belgian candi sugar adds a dimension of dark sweetness to the already complex aroma. Slight scent of alcohol.

T - Light barley malt, wheat, fresh hay, and a strong kick of spiciness in the finish. Alcohol is minimal. The yeast feels vibrant and lively. Notes of fruit begin to pop up here and there. Golden apples, fresh apricot, and ripe banana all make an appearance. A touch of plum flavor also presents itself. Tasty Belgian spices linger in the finish. The hops do make an appearance in the finish, providing a grassy zest to the beers already full-bodied flavor profile. Slight bitterness.

M - Smooth, buttery and bubbly. Strong carbonation, but not overbearing in the slightest. Medium-bodied feel, with a slightly oily after-feel on the palate. Chalky film does build up after a while. Very smooth and drinkable.

D - A complex and enjoyable brew for sure. The focus is really on the finish, with lots of spices, hops, and earthy notes lingering nicely. A little less yeasty and bready than other representations of the style. An all around classic brew from a great brewery.

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 01:59:17 | More by Converge

Beelzebeer

Newfoundland (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle, served in goblet, best before December 2nd, 2014, so a few years old.

A - Dark straw yellow, with dense generous head. Looks delicious.

S - A little darker in smell than your traditional tripel. A faint green pea smell on the alcohol. That might sound gross, but it works.

T - Darker malt than other tripels. A welcome taste. Unusual aftertaste. Maybe a liquorice? It feels like the taste quickly evacuates. Different, but quite nice.

M - Perfection. Medium-high carbonation that just floats over the tongue. Medium body. Goes down quite well.

O - I really like this aged! I wish I had a fresher one to compare, but being in Newfoundland, you can't find this within 2000km. Would gladly have again. and then again.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 00:58:37 | More by Beelzebeer

JudgeRoughneck

Louisiana

4.78/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

APP- This beer was the classic glowing gold color that I expect tripel to be. Only a very slight haze, with a noisey, foamy white head that fell quickly and left a little lace.

AROMA- Fresh grain, spice, very floral, low malty sweetness, orange zest, white grape, pear... I could go on, very complex but delicate and in balace. Nothing more than moderate in intensity.

TASTE- Firmly malty but well attenuated base with light grahm cracker character. Low level detectable noble hop flavor and minimal bitterness combine with complex spicey character to balance. I could swear I caught a hint of banana but difficult to latch onto. Esters are very low in the mix.

MOUTHFEEL- Appropriately dryish but maintains medium-light body . High carbonation is appropriate but has more of a fizzy/ stingy character and not so much the mouth-filling creaminess I'd like.

OVERALL- One of the more complex tripels I've had and by far the best St. Bernanrdus beer I've had. Very dangerous in its drinkability.

Serving type: bottle

07-10-2012 00:27:14 | More by JudgeRoughneck

articode

4.3/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Distinctive pop and much smoke upon opening. Quite tall fine-bubbled head and cloudy orange/gold color.

The most distintive tastes up front are sweet banana, clove, and sour yeast.

Aftertaste is sour and sticky.

Overall very well-balanced -- outstanding tripel.

Serving type: bottle

07-07-2012 21:21:39 | More by articode

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Review from 12/2010 notes. Poured into a St. Bernardus goblet. Pours a cloudy orange amber; thick white head and lots of lacing. Mild aroma of yeast, faint citrus, a bit sour. Light fruit, sweet malt, slight citrus and spicing. No sign of the sourness in the aroma. Finish is very nice light fruit and sweet malt. This is the best tripel I've ever had. This is the beer that got me interested in tripels. Excellent.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2012 23:02:54 | More by LiquidAmber

srv33

4.48/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bright cloudy golden pour, huge bright white head great lacing, creamy head. Superfine bubbles on head - almost like whip cream, never seen a beer like this before. Smell of apricot and sourdough most prominent. My first Trappist beer. Fantastic thick mouthfeel, balanced sweet fruit and fig, with a bit of vanilla and molasses, and almond. Hard to find, though would absolutely drink again.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 23:50:26 | More by srv33

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – A beautiful semi-translucent golden color; more clear than opaque. A very thick head that lasts a long time. Amazing lacing.

Smell – A very nice sweet scent with malt, a wonderful yeast, and a hint of clove and citrus.

Taste – Sweet, malty, light clove taste and a taste of crackers.

Mouthfeel – Medium body with perfect carbonation. No alcohol noticed.

Drinkability – This one goes down as easy as any tripel I’ve ever had. Amazing.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 06:00:26 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

acevenom

Louisiana

4.68/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a chalice. Pours cloudy dull golden with a large white head that dissipates moderately slowly. Some bubbles can be seen streaming from the bottom of the glass. The smell is of apples, banana, and citrus. The alcohol is hidden in the aroma. The aroma is mostly sweet and I do detect bready malt. The flavors are very well balanced. The taste follows the nose, with bready malt, banana, apples, and citrus. The beer is sweet, but not too sweet. There's a mild spiciness in the background. The alcohol isn't detectable at all in the taste. The mouthfeel is medium with plentiful carbonation. The finish is slightly dry. The drinkability is high. This is an excellent, well-balanced tripel.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 21:25:25 | More by acevenom

jmdrpi

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

330 mL bottle, best date of 19/11/13 on the label. poured into a Belgian-style goblet.

appears a hazy dark straw color, thick foamy bright white colored head. good head retention. aroma is a bit medicinal, and slightly fruity.

taste is slightly bready, wheaty. Belgian yeast, a bit herbal. mild, well balanced flavors. so smooth. mild carbonation, drinks so easy.

overall - I'm usually not a big fan of tripels, but this is hands down the best that I've had.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2012 02:18:41 | More by jmdrpi

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

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

Bottle acquired as part of a 4-pack glass giftpack from my most recent journey to Vintage Estates, and poured into aforementioned chalice.

A: Murky straw-golden, with a good bit of sediment at the bottom, and a big, picture perfect fluffy white head on top.

S: Lots of lemon-zest, banana pudding, maybe a touch of cloves and black pepper.

T: Taste follows the nose. Banana arrives early. A peppery spiciness shows up midway through, at a louder volume than the nose would have indicated. A touch of alcohol burn works nicely here, as it gives the pepperiness a bit of *heat*. Lemon zest is both first and last, but seems to give way in the middle to the banana and pepper.

M: Light and lively, great carbonation, and a good dry finish make this a great experience. I'm loving the dry-hop and lemon-zest flavors left behind on the finish, too.

D/O: An enjoyable beer, particularly in the warmth of a summer evening. Would have again.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 23:11:01 | More by psuKinger

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Consumed 6/24/12

Appearance: Hazy, bright golden yellow - pours with a rather large head, retains a large cap, leaves chunks of foamy lacing

Smell: Spot-on for the style - very, distinctly Belgian - cloves, bananas, bubblegum, and candi sugar - nicely balanced, though, nothing is too extreme - sweet, but works for the style - pale malts and some light bread dough

Taste: Sweet, in a good way, with a lot of light malts and light fruits - banana candy and clove, with a touch of bubblegum - spicy Belgian yeast - light grains and bread dough - slightly phenolic, mildly bitter

Mouthfeel: Medium body, effervescent carbonation, smooth

Overall: A great tripel

This manages to be a Belgian Tripel without going overboard on the yeast. It is fruity and sweet, but without being a burden to drink. More of this style should be like this.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 05:10:38 | More by angrybabboon