Green Flash Trippel - Green Flash Brewing Co.

matjack85

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I picked up this 22oz brown bottle at the Binny's store in Bloomingdale, IL. I don't know why it was in the discontinued bin, but it was a steal at $2.99 a bottle, so I bought one. No freshness date that I could find.

The beer poured a hazy caramel color with some sediment at the bottom. Two finger white head that dissipated quickly and left only minimal lacing.

Strong apricot smell with some spiciness underneath.

Fruity and spicy like the nose suggested, with apricot/orange being the dominant fruit flavor. Nice malty backbone but nicely balanced with 3 different hops. Not very bitter at just 24 IBU's, but the hops are still noticeable.

Smooth, medium bodied mouthfeel with moderate carbonation.

I liked this one a lot.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 07:24:12 | More by matjack85

mactrail

California

3.1/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3

Attractive golden amber in the tall Stella glass. Plenty of foam. This has a distinctive weird taste from the first sip that is exactly like fermenting fruit. Slightly sweet. There is a taste like a dry Cherry Heering liqueur.

Tart in the aftertaste with some apricot kernel bitterness. sort of a funky Belgian yeast flavor with the usual drying effect. Otherwise this is not vey beery. It's some sort of fruit-flavored malt beverage. From the 22 oz bottle bought at Olive Tree Market in Ocean Beach.

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 06:22:07 | More by mactrail

MisSigsFan

California

3.99/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22oz bottle into a mug. Pours a murky golden color with noticeable sediment and a smooth, creamy white head with very little lacing. Head recedes quickly but never disappears completely. Smell is of bananas and alcohol. Taste is more of the same. Bananas and other fruit in the foreground, alcohol is present but still masked well even with a 9.7 ABV. Only a slight spice taste. Mouthfeel is extremely smooth with below average carbonation. Overall this is a pretty good trippel, but not the best I've had. It could've used a bit more spiceyness that you find with other trippels.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 02:28:28 | More by MisSigsFan

Immortale25

Florida

4.49/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter. No freshness date.

A- Pours a semi-hazy medium amber color with a 1/2 inch white head that lingers about before dropping down to a thick ring around the edge of the glass and a mostly full sheet of light surface foam. Thick cascading lacing leaves behind a solid ring and random clots.

S- Crisp, effervescent aroma of Belgian yeast with small traces of Brett. Lemony and rich like many imported Belgians which is kind of uncommon for American interpretations of the style.

T- Lots of banana from the Belgian yeast and a good citrus kick from the hops but not overly bitter. Alcohol is hidden superbly. Not very complex, but it doesn't need to be since the yeast/fruit/spice trifecta is accomplished with near perfection.

M- Tight, snappy and slick. Medium carbonation and a lightish body.

O- I liked it just a tad better on tap, but it's still excellent out of the bottle.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 01:40:31 | More by Immortale25

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.18/5  rDev +12.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

On tap at St Augustines in Vancouver.

A: cloudy amber liquid with one finger of cream colored head.

S: Cloves, pears, apples and clean grassy hops.

T: Biscuity and bready malt along with grass, pine, and floral hops up front. The finish is characteristic of Belgian yeast fermented at a relatively low temperature including cloves, pears and ripe apples.

M: Very dry with a medium level of carbonation and creamy viscosity.

O: One of the better American trippels I have had. Thankfully it doesn't have banana and bubblegum flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2013 00:09:11 | More by DaftCaskBC

spoony

Colorado

3.5/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

From a 22 oz bomber into a tulip glass.

A-An average pour produced about two fingers of shiny, white foam. The head recedes rather quickly, but never dissipates entirely. The brew is clear and orange-hued gold in color. At first, there are a number of visible streams of carbonation emanating up through the beer.

S-The smell is an alcoholic, esthery mix of sweet light fruit like bananas, apples, and pears. There is just a touch of grass and very little spice.

T-The taste is also fruit and booze forward. Unfortunately, the taste is sort of one-dimension, which gives it a sort of rotten fruit taste. There is not enough spice or funky, Belgian yeast for my preference.

M-The high point of this beer was the feel. It had a nicely balanced mixture of carbonation, creaminess, and weight.

O-This tripel misses the mark. The taste was too heavy on the fruit, sugar and alcohol, and I missed that funky, grassy, spicy, earthy kick that a great tripel provides. On the other hand, my wife (who is a tripel-lover) loved it. I will give credit for a nice mouthfeel.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 04:43:24 | More by spoony

babaracas

Florida

3.98/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy dull orange with suspended fine sediment, one finger thick white colored foam that settles to a thin ring but leaves a thick sheet of lace for the first couple of inches. Smell: pale malt sweetness, fruity... nectarine, white grape juice, hopping is moderately spicy and lightly herbal and earthy. Taste: upfront it's spicy with the suggestion of lemon peel, then a blast of sugary pale malt, white grape, lots of soft apple. The yeast promotes the fruit flavors, but it's not exactly running wild. The feel is pillowy cut by syrupy...equals chewy. Medium-plus bodied, finishing sweet, sticky, and semi-dry. Enjoyable but I'm not likely to grab one again soon.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 04:41:39 | More by babaracas

mpedara429

Massachusetts

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Burinished gold in color that is just a tad hazy. It pours out with 2 fingers of off white head. Good retention and spotty lacing all the way down the glass.

S: It smells like spicy yeast, booze, and banana.

T: Fruit-like character with raisins, plums, and apricot. Clovey spice. Banana as it goes down.

M: Medium body with medium to heavy carbonation. A little lighter on the carbonation than other Belgians. An oily body that sticks to your mouth.

O: I really liked this one. It goes down very easy for a nearly 10% ABV. A nice twist on a Trippel.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 00:06:49 | More by mpedara429

Vec2267

Florida

3.08/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

A - clear, pale yellow, considerable foam, some lacing

S - alcohol, light fruits

T - apples, pear, sugar, alcohol, minimal spice

M - crisp and bubbly

O - too boozy, no depth or complexity - none of the expected yeast complexity

Pales in comparison to the true Belgian examples of the style. This is average at best.

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:58:09 | More by Vec2267

poop_brew

Vermont

4.23/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

A: Poured from a 22oz. Bomber into a pint glass. A murky caramel color with a long lingering 2 finger head.

S: A strong champagne-esque scent. A dry smell, not getting a lot of hop or malt. A slight orange aroma in my mind.

T: Extremely fruity right off the bat. A strong booze bite right in the middle then another mellowing dry fruit after taste.

M: A fizzy feeling with solid carbonation. A wonderful fruit after taste.

O: I'd buy it again. A high percentage beer with extreme fruit flavor. Perfect for all those gals in your life. Great for movie and a beer night.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 04:02:45 | More by poop_brew

StoneTSR

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

APPEARANCE: The Trippel pours a hazy, burnt orange and an ever-so-slightly off-white head providing an extra half-inch to the height of the beer. The retention is pretty solid here and a few bubbles can be seen darting towards the top around the edges of the glass. While it is a good looking beer, it does not look like your typical Trippel.

SMELL: The head retention seems to really allow this aroma to stay strong and quite pleasant. This is all fruit; citrus, a big dose of apricot and some tropical fruity notes work well together along with a hint of spice and breadiness.

TASTE: The flavors follow the nose in this one – fruity, with apricot and tropical fruits leading the way with a nice touch of lemon zest rounding it out. The finish remains fruity, but with a mild hop bitterness.

MOUTHFEEL: The Green Flash Trippel has a slightly stronger body than most other Trippels, but it is still true to the style and remains on the lighter side. Sweet up front, dry on the way down, this is a very nicely balanced brew.

OVERALL: While the hops are not the star of this show, they do make longer and more pronounced appearances than they do in other Belgian-style Trippels. This is clearly a New World version of the style and it is an excellent example of why a West Coast interpretation of any beer is worth trying. Have this one on the patio on a hot summer day.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2012 07:29:36 | More by StoneTSR

kylehay2004

Florida

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: half finger head on a Bright golden body.

S: mango, melon, tangerine and herbal hops.

T: musty yeast, tart citrus, herbal flavored hops.

M: light to medium Body and moderate to light carbonation.

Overall: kind of unidimensional. Tastes good and is highly drinkable, just not very interesting or complex.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 20:11:53 | More by kylehay2004

acevenom

Louisiana

3.73/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured into a large brandy snifter. Pours hazy orange gold with a tall white head that dissipates moderately quickly. There are plentiful tiny bubbles visible in the beer. The beer smells of apples, pears, spices, and malt. The taste is that of a classic tripel. The fruit and spice notes go well with the malt backbone. The hops do add some nice balance throughout the beer. The malt becomes more prominent as the beer continues to warm. The alcohol is well-hidden in the flavor, but I do taste some alcohol as the beer warms. The body is medium to full with moderate carbonation. The finish is slightly dry. This is very drinkable for such a strong beer. This is a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 00:53:01 | More by acevenom

beagle75

Iowa

3.48/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber into a tulip glass.

A: Hazy orange color with a thin surface residue of white bubbles. No lacing remains on the glass.

S: Heaps of bright fruit, and Belgian yeast that evokes almond-like qualities. There is an intense spirit quality that is complex rather than boozy.

T: Begins almost dry, with bready malt and fruit that includes papaya and apricot. Acidity is moderate into the middle where banana esters follow peppery phenolics. The finish is drying, with a re-emphasis of malt but only low bitterness. No alcohol is detected.

M: Medium to thick viscosity, slightly acidic on the palate, with brisk carbonation.

D/O: This tripel is loaded with obvious Belgian qualities, apparently trying to offer a literal lesson in abbey-style ale. Nuanced it is not, separating it from the best of its style. Such beers can be simultaneously delicate and spirituous, yet stand up to the most savory of foods. This beer does stand up, but so rigidly as to be awkward.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2012 00:56:43 | More by beagle75

UCLABrewN84

California

4/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Green Flash Brewing Company in San Diego, CA.

Pours a slightly hazy honey orange with a foamy off-white head that settles to an oily film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, fruits, yeast, and spices. Taste is much the same with a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate after each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that is tasty and easy to drink.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 01:19:25 | More by UCLABrewN84

bushbeer75

Michigan

3.88/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1 pt. 6 oz brown bottle

Green Flash Tripple Ale filled my chalice with a cloudy orange gold/peach color that formed a 1-finger bubbly off-white head and dissipated rather quickly leaving limited lacing. The nose is lightly spiced; fruity, and sweet. The taste is similar to the nose but thankfully more pronounced/stronger. The upfront flavor is somewhat spicy/peppery clove like, to the sweet side, and of light golden fruit with a light dry [hopped] finish. The mouth feel is dominated by fine tingly on the tongue carbonation.

As far as American Triples go, Green Flash Trippel is good and drinkable. However, there are other American Tripels I would reach for first.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 18:26:23 | More by bushbeer75

daledeee

Iowa

3.75/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A 22 oz bottle.

Pours a dark clear gold with head at first but that left right away. Small amount of lacing.

Nose is great with apricots, orange, spice. Very strong aroma.

Taste: It appears to benefit from a little airing out. Lots of over the top malt and some spice. Orange peel also. It seems to have a slight numbing affect on the pallet.

Nice carbonation with plenty of alcohol. A decent offering, but there are some better ones out there.

Serving type: bottle

07-31-2012 22:25:31 | More by daledeee

Pnuthed

Colorado

3.68/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Perfect pour with a great head that lingers for awhile. Great color, more orange than anticipated. Aroma is interesting, there's something there that reminds me of the lake...like at the end of the dock, very nice. The bready tart yeast shines through limited hops in this one. Not too much warmth for a 9.7%.

I poured this a bit cold, all of the above were accentuated upon warming of the glass.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2012 22:46:23 | More by Pnuthed

AlCaponeJunior

Texas

3.55/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Lightly orange to tan with a bit of a haze, rising bubbles, and a one inch white head with some staying power and ok lacing. Not as heavily carbonated as a typical tripel, but certainly still pretty well carbed.

Floral, spicy, and yeasty in the nose, with something that's just a touch odd, perhaps like rain in the woods on an autumn day.

Taste - Plenty of maltiness, spices, yeast, and actually a nice, noticeable hops presence too. Some light fruitiness and citrus notes.

Feel is medium and a bit slick, sweet finishing at first, drying out a little as it warms. Alcohol is not very noticeable.

It's a fine tripel but not at the top of the category by any means. Actually it seems like a yeastier version of le freak, with less hops.

Overall it's not bad at all, but won't change you from a hop head to a tripel lover anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 18:46:03 | More by AlCaponeJunior

bnes09

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Light orange color and mostly transparent. Big head with a soapy consistency. Good retention and lots of lacing.

Citrus and apple in the aroma along with a ginger spiciness.

Fruit flavors most apparent in the taste. Mild spiciness from the hops. Honey sweetness. Hint of yeast. Alcohol is there but pretty well hidden.

Medium bodied and quite dry in the finish from the hops and alcohol.

Pretty good tripel. Definitely better examples out there but this one is worth a try if you see it.

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2012 02:09:55 | More by bnes09

djaeon

California

4.05/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a darker golden yellow with a decent head. The head dissipates rather quickly. Leaved moderate lacing on the glass.

I love the fruity aromas that come from the Belgian yeast strains. Strawberry/banana juice is what it reminds me of.

Delicious, sweet (but not overly so), light hops, the fruity aromas carry through lightly in the taste.

This has a rich and smooth mouthfeel when cold. As it warms up, it develops a dry finish, and the higher ABV starts to come through.

Overall, I want to finish this whole growler by myself, but that would be stupid. I'm glad my roommate is here to help with it!

Serving type: growler

06-23-2012 01:34:47 | More by djaeon

BostonHops

Massachusetts

3.4/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle served in a snifter.

pours a hazy amber/orange tone with a little less than 1" of a beige-colored head that lapses fairly quickly into a collar around the glass. nose is a bit of a letdown; average at best, with subtle malty notes, a little honey, and a hint of floral hops.

taste is a mild improvement. malt-forward with honey, spice, and a bit of banana. decent, quaffable... but ultimately a middling tripel. not close to the good american renditions on the style, and nowhere near those from belgium. medium bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation.

for me this was was a disappointment. not terrible, some enjoyable characteristics about it, but i was expecting more. slightly above average tripel, but with so many options out there i won't be making an effort to grab more.

(originally reviewed: 06-21-2011)

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 21:59:47 | More by BostonHops

AdamBear

Pennsylvania

3.05/5  rDev -18.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-dark gold with a thick cream colored head

S-dry grassy hops. Somewhat aged, somewhat burnt, and somewhat peppery. Medium strength

T-comes in with a really bitter, slightly buttery, aged grassyness. Very malty. It's just an off mix.

M-medium carbonation with a syrupy finish

O-well I definitely wouldn't be classifying this as a tripel. It's not that great at all actually, as any style. Tastes like an amateur aged IPA. 

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 20:58:23 | More by AdamBear

DrFayhee

3.8/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Golden hued with medium head and nice lacing.

S: Interesting olfactory conversation between the malts and hops. Starts out sweet and a bit syrupy and funky but then some straw comes through.

T: Toasted barley mixed with some quite bitter flavors. Orange peel, bark, and spices.

M: The brightness of the mouthfeel is surprising given the maltiness of the flavor. A nice crispness on the finish.

O: Not my favorite offering from Green Flash nor the best tripel I've had but still quite satisfying. It's pretty bold, like many of their other beers, which I have to respect.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 03:01:24 | More by DrFayhee

Cyberkedi

Georgia

3.83/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Fruity aroma has a strong yeasty, slightly rubbery overtone and a hint of cinnamon. Pours a nice clear golden yellow with a thick and rather persistent ivory head. Flavor has mainly fruity and yeasty notes and - whoa! - a fairly strong alcohol nip. Finish has a hint of resin to it. Texture has OK body and a fair amount of fizz and life. Tasty and satisfying - keep an eye peeled for it.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2012 04:13:20 | More by Cyberkedi