Green Flash Trippel - Green Flash Brewing Co.

ski271

Pennsylvania

2.53/5  rDev -32.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2

Must be a new an altered recipe. New label and higher abv. (9.7%)
Veryu slightly hazy medium golden-orange with a medium-sized, white foamy head that slowly diminishes. Good lacing. Smell is of fruit, spice and yeast. Banana most notable... VERY notable. Also apple, pineapple, orange and corainder. Taste follows, with a musty banana presence being overpowering and out of balance. I do think Green Flash is a good brewery, and I remember having this beer last year (in a green-labeled bottle) and I enjoyed it. This one just does not impress me at all. Something just seems off here. I trust the bottle shop I purchased this from, and they take proper care of their bottles, but I guess it is still posible I got a bad bottle. Maybe I'll try this one again if I can find it somewhere else and see if it was off.

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2009 22:13:33 | More by ski271

EPICAC

Massachusetts

2.75/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

I split a bottle of this with David at The Blind Tiger in New York.

Pours a cloudy, golden amber . A fizzy, off-white head fades quickly leaving a patchy film. he aroma is predominantly bananas and not much else, maybe a hint of graininess and a little bit of a floral element.

A honey and fruity banana sweetness dominates the taste of this beer. There's alcoholic spice in the center with peppery notes in the finish and a light bitterness. Medium-bodied with light carbonation.

Way too sweet in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2008 18:59:48 | More by EPICAC

chickenflea

Florida

2.78/5  rDev -25.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Poured a burnt orange. Off-white head is fizzy. It dissipates quickly but with good retention and lacing.

The nose is sweet malts with hints of golden fruit and a smattering of spiciness. I'm encouraged by the fact that alcohol is nowhere to be found.

The flavor is where this beer lost me. First, it's way too boozy. A lot of burn in the finish. But the alcohol masks some of the flavor from at the front end of each sip. The fruitiness is akin to orchard fruit soaked in run and the spiciness is faintly clove-like. Think well-brewed American malt liquor with more hop bitterness and a less than stellar Belgian yeast strain.

The mouthfeel is all right. It's full, sticky on the finish and carbonated enough to keep the tongue tingly without providing much lift and volume. It's pretty rough though.

Trippel is far from horrible, but it's not that great either. It'sa shame, too, because I have had some really good beers from Green Flash (the double stout is really good.)

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2011 19:18:54 | More by chickenflea

ScarletLady

Maryland

2.8/5  rDev -24.9%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

From a bomber bottle, room temperature
A- apricot with thin lacing
S- strong on the alcohol burn, made my eyes water a little bit, a bit of yeast spice
T - fruit/pearlike finishing in to a little clove & pepper. very carbonated. Can taste the alcohol more that I would have thought for the ABV.
M - ok not too thin It did make my tongue tingle which was interesting
D - just ok, won't have it again

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2009 20:51:23 | More by ScarletLady

Kuromaru

Virginia

2.86/5  rDev -23.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25

Pours--An opaque, golden sunset with a thick, white head that dissipates to a ring.

Smell--Tart/ sour fruit/ unripened green grapes, plum, and a touch of sweeter fruit (I got banana) followed by malt sweetness. Maybe just a hint of spice. There is a distinct lack of funky yeastiness considering the style.

Mouthfeel--Medium carbonation, medium body. Creamy, but not sticky/ heavy. Finishes clean.

Taste--Alcohol, first and foremost. This is surprising, as it does not seem prominent at all in the nose. More tart fruit followed by some sweeter fruit, as well as some general bready/ maltiness swimming around. Spiciness shows up more here; I got some peppe, and some clove. Alcohol rounds out the finish, too.

Overall--This beer just seems unfinished to me. On the bright side, it is pretty easy to drink, and has a very pleasant creaminess. However, there just doesn't seem to be a good balance of flavors; the punch of tartness and astringent alcohol overpower everything else in the taste. Also, the lack of pungent yeastiness is a big disappointment, as that's something I really look for in a good tripel. Though there's worse to be had, I can't say I'd recommend this.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 01:34:39 | More by Kuromaru

kernalklink

Arizona

2.98/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

This was a fairly decent tripel from one of the great american micros. Poured golden with a larger than expected head- nice aromas- spiced green apples, candy malts, some alcohol. Tase was more on the side of flavor overload- not very subtle exactly like most american tripels are to the palate. Somewhat harsh banana flavored syrupy alcohol, but not too bad. The mouthfeel bothered me- it was not very light at all, and the body was heavier than i like in a tripel- thankfully the full flavors did hide some of the less refined alcohols. Give it a try if you want to try to believe there is some hope for an americanized tripel.

Serving type: bottle

08-18-2007 03:03:22 | More by kernalklink

Fnord

Texas

2.98/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appearance - Pale yellow, very opaque. Persistent head that clings nicely to the glass.

Smell - Sugar, banana, yeast, spiciness, and alcohol.

Taste - Starts sharp, even for a tripel. Is this because of the Saaz hops? It swiftly turns spicy and lemony, with a clear alcohol taste throughout.

Mouthfeel - Too much carbonation for my taste.

Overall - It's a decent tripel. It's worth a try because it's a little different that many others of its style, but it's far from the best.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2008 22:42:08 | More by Fnord

akorsak

Pennsylvania

3.03/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A: The ale is an amber-orange color, pouring with a 1/2 finger's head that does not retain well or lace.

S: The aroma has spicy notes of coriander and an alcohol scent that lies just below the surface, hidden in the pepper.

T: The flavor is a grainy malt base with peppery coriander and alcohol built on top of it. The grains are thin and don't support the coriander well. The alcohol is also rough, very evident and rough.

M: The overloaded alcohol and thin malts detract from the spices. If those spices were a little stronger, this could work.

D: The high abv and thin malts don't cut it for me. They focus too much on the alcohol flavors. I find that Green Flash's hop-based ales (Pale and IPA) really work while this one comes up short.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2006 02:14:24 | More by akorsak

DBoone

Maryland

3.03/5  rDev -18.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A Poured from a bomber into Duvel Tulip. Looking kind of orange, with some haze,some head, and some lacing.
S Candi sugar, minor citrus, not much else.
T Nice, but nothing that really stands out, is it biscuity?
M Fairly thin, no noticeable coating on tongue.
O Try it if you like Tripels, I have bought before, and would buy again.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2011 00:26:28 | More by DBoone

JDV

Texas

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

Bottle shared by fly, I believe. Thank you!
Pours a rich golden to amber color with a light white head. Smell is rich, bold and malty with a strong sweetness and lemony characteristic. Taste is well hopped to balance the maltiness. Somewhat dry, at the same time, however. Interesting spiced character too. Not bad at all, and I can feel the style growing on me.

Serving type: bottle

04-06-2008 19:04:23 | More by JDV

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

jujubeast6000

Texas

3.08/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

reviewed 9/10/2008 (bottle):

Pours a golden fizzy body, somewhat opaque. Creamy off-white head, fine bubbles, lastingish. Belgiany flowery sweet taste. Some spiciness, maybe clove, or corriander? Spicy taste, floral, somewhat sour. More sour as it warms. A little too sweet as it warms up. Soft mouthfeel, somewhat bitter hoppy.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2009 19:43:38 | More by jujubeast6000

jbphoto88

Texas

3.08/5  rDev -17.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Golden peach colored beer that is crystal clear. The head is off white with a touch of yellow, spongy and quick to fade. The beer looks a lot like an American lager so I hope the nose and flavor don't disappoint.

So far the nose subtly delivers. There is a nice malty backbone with a boozy yet spicy fruit scent. It has a subtle Belgian yeasty flare which could be stronger but at least it's there.

The taste is a slight disappointment. The booze flavor really dominates the stage and masks the grain flavors. It puts the flavor in the area closer to a rough cough syrup then a clean sweet Belgian.

The mouthfeel is slightly better then the taste. Lightly bubbly with a touch of spicy bitterness and a residual dry malt sweetness to make up this medium body beer. But the taste never really gets better even with the high abv. All in all a disappointment and a pass in my book.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2010 23:07:54 | More by jbphoto88

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

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.1/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Peachy orange with a light dusting of yeast. A gentle pour has created a nice looking crown of meringue-like foam that has a faint lemonish tint. Given the ABV, a surprising amount of chunky lace makes its way to the glass. The appearance isn't very Belgianesque, but it's more than fine for an American tripel.

The nose (what I can smell of it) is no more than passable. I get hints of golden fruit and a smattering of spiciness. I'm encouraged by the fact that alcohol is nowhere to be found.

Trippel Belgian Style Ale is yet more proof that some American craft brewers don't *get* this style. Simply adding a ton of pale malt, Euro hops (Styrian Goldings and Saaz in this case) and Trappist ale yeast doesn't always equal a quality tripel. Although this is drinkable beer, it's as simple and as blunt as the day is long.

I'm not sure where the fault lies. For starters, it's way too boozy. Ethanol doesn't exactly overwhelm the palate, but it puts a damper on a proper appreciation of the malt, hops and yeast. The fruitiness is akin to orchard fruit macerated in vodka and the spiciness is faintly clove-like. Think well-brewed American malt liquor with more hop bitterness and a less than stellar Belgian yeast strain.

The mouthfeel is pretty nice if your standard is 'big American ale' rather than 'world-class tripel'. It's unapologetically full, sticky on the finish and carbonated enough to keep the tongue tingly without providing much lift and volume. On second thought, some of the tongue tingle is probably good ol' EtOH.

Trippel is far from horrible, but it's nowhere near a good version of my favorite Belgian style. My recommendation is to spend your hard-earned money on Green Flash IPA instead. Now there's a quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2007 22:20:34 | More by BuckeyeNation

Murchmac

California

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

We call him Johnny two times because he says everything two times.

No head, no head, yellow orangey, kinda orangey, not clear, not clear.

Faint smells of everything, mostly alcohol, mostly alcohol.

Tastes thin, tastes thin. Better as it warms up, warm it up.

Stingy aftertaste, it hurts it hurts.

Get the papers, get the papers, beers ok, beers ok.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2008 05:11:12 | More by Murchmac

mtnbikerpa

Pennsylvania

3.1/5  rDev -16.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle, which might be older because it says 8.5% ABV. Left a nice three finger head with little lacing after the head subsided. Appearance is a nice dark golden yellow color. Strong yeasty, sugars are very apparent, some candied fruits also in the smell. Alcohol is still pretty strong in the first taste, then giving way to biscuit and dough like yeasts. Clove and spices, maybe a small amount of nutmeg. Still alot of heat coming from the alcohol and some banana like flavor. Mouthfeel is not to objectionable. But all and all the drinkability is hampered by the lack of balance.

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2009 22:40:59 | More by mtnbikerpa

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

MaltyGoodness

Pennsylvania

3.13/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22oz. bottle

Pours a hazy golden amber with a creamy white head that thins. Mild lacing on the glass.

Bready and yeasty upfront leading into herbal hop aroma and a slight boozy smell.

Bready and yeasty flavors upfront leading into a herbal hop flavor and rather sharp bitterness. Leads into a boozy taste at the finish.

Full body, ample carbonation.

Decent drinkability, although a rather mediocre beer overall. If you are looking for a good tripel, pass this one by.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2006 03:21:54 | More by MaltyGoodness

Floydster

California

3.13/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 ounce brown bottle purchased at Beverages and More in Redlands for under five bucks, split with my friend last night, poured into a Samuel Adams pint glass, have also had on tap at the PB Tap Room in Pacific Beach

A-Color was a mix of golden orange and yellow, head was pretty creamy and close to an inch, stuck around for a good while too, decent retention, not much lacing

S-Granny smith apples, sugar, candy, bready malt, some faint hoppiness, raisins, bananas, cloves, pepper, some weird spices, lots of wheat, some booze, and caramel

T-More alcohol and spice in the taste than the taste, mostly pepper and cloves, but some other spices too, floral and grassy hop flavors was what I tasted initially, then some pear and apple in the middle mixed with bananas, sweetness in the finish, lots of wheat came to the surface once this bad boy warmed, got sweeter as time went on, not balanced in my opinion but there was hops at least, some tripels do not have any it seems like, a little boozy for my palate too

M-Sweet, dry, slightly boozy, and strong mouthfeel, needed more carbonation, on the verge of being syrupy, medium bodied, taste did not linger too long

D-Could not drink much of this because it is heavy on the stomach because of its sweetness, ABV is rather high at around nine percent too, not as smooth as you would hope, could not drink this bottle by myself

Have not been too impressed with Green Flash brews overall and this also fell into the mediocre category, not a big fan of most American brewery's attempts at a tripel in fact, one of the drier tripels I have tasted which was not a bad thing in my eyes, not too bad for the price, might drink again, worth trying once

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2008 23:18:19 | More by Floydster

Arbitrator

California

3.13/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A : Translucent golden color. Poured with pinky-sized head that dissipated within a few minutes.

S: Clove, pepper, spices, banana.

T: Sweet, peppery, fruity. But nothing particularly special in a trippel.

M: Decent, slightly too much carbonation.

D: Enjoyable. I like it but will probably spend my money on other trippels.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2008 05:14:13 | More by Arbitrator

NEhophead

Massachusetts

3.15/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

22 fl oz brown bottle; served in a tulip.

Pours a hazy copper with faint golden highlights. Creamy, very porous white head that sits up about a half of an inch. Thin and dimpled lacing around most of the tulip.

Semi-sweet Belgian candy with notes of tropical fruit. Astringent, stiff malted wheat aromas with bland grains. Hefty whaft of alcohol with a bulky spice of clove.

Slick sweetness right from the initial taste that is joined with a rough graininess. The dry clove and corriander are almost burnt, and add even more of a rough, earthen flavor. The alcohol character lingers into the dry, astringent finish and is followed by an adjunctory-flavored aftertaste.

Medium in body; very rough on the palate for a Tripel; dry, spicy, and grainy. The slick quality subsides and at mid-sip and is engulfed by the roughness.

An earthen Tripel, which doesn't seem to translate all that well. An average tasting version of the style at best. Not worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2008 23:47:11 | More by NEhophead

nrbw23

Ohio

3.15/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A- Pours a cloudy gold with an off white head. The head is short lived and falls to a ring and leaves some lacing.

S- Smells of yeast, clove and tons of fruits (apples mainly but also some peaches, pineapple and bananas). Touch of alcohol in there as well.

T- Very sweet, fruity, yeasty and finishes with a some alcohol. Follows the nose also.

M- Medium in body and carbonation.

D- Easy to drink just something different on this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-01-2008 15:19:41 | More by nrbw23

nick76

Florida

3.15/5  rDev -15.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The aroma is spicy and yeasty with hops, soap, and malt. The appearance is hazy gold with a nice head and an amber hue. The flavor is like the aroma but somewhat sour. The palate is average for the style. Overall this is not that good and I won't be looking forward to another one anytime soon.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2009 10:25:20 | More by nick76

Sweasty

Texas

3.18/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Appearance: Cloudy gold with an off white head. The head is short lived and falls to a ring.Leaves some lacing.

Smell: Has some some spice to it, clove mostly. There is a touch bubblegum yeast. Also some citrus in the background.

Taste: Fruity , apple and pear. Plenty of yeastiness. Dry powdery finish.

Mouthfeel - Medium bodied, with a light, by style comparison, carbonation.

This beer falls short. It lacks the true Belgian character. The yeast seems to be light on the classic aromas and flavors. The alcohol starts to hinder its drinkability. There are plenty of other trippels worth drinking above this one.

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2008 00:01:59 | More by Sweasty