Tripel Van De Garre - Brouwerij Van Steenberge N.V.

drabmuh

Maryland

4.35/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Churchkey in DC, served in a tulip. Decently priced for a beer that is only served in a few bars IN THE WORLD. There are moments when I'm drinking where I turn slightly reflective, I've had some of the top beers on everyone's lists but even a random long shot beer like this, that I can find it in a pub, just shocks me to no end. A long time want of mine, falls right in my lap. Thank you Churchkey, you really bring the tasty.

Beer is yellow, mild haze but basically clear, great tight white head, small bubbles, some lacing, moderate carbonation.

Aroma is tea like, sweet, nice sharp yeast character, sweet and clean.

Beer is dry, very effervescent in the mouth, good finish, a mild spiciness on the midpalate of the beer, it is almost like the beer is jumping off of my tongue, the more I drink the better it gets. I would drink a lot of this beer indifferent to the damage it is doing to my liver.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2011 02:01:28 | More by drabmuh

gyllstromk

Belgium

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this at De Garre. The menu at De Garre starts with a long ode to the Tripel van der Garre, and there are nice descriptions of the process of creating it. The building is beautiful and the clientele is a mix of locals, random tourists, and folks who traveled there just for the tripel (the nice couple next to us were from Antwerp, and travel here for the beer).

Overall you cannot help but be absorbed in the charm and history of the place, and making any unbiased review is impossible. I would not treat my numeric "rating" as anything other than dummy placeholders so that I could write the following description.

The De Garre was presumably served from tap but I cannot confirm. A pale color is capped by 2 inches of foam which I assume must be nitrogenized, as the bubbles are fine like Guinness. The head remains throughout the beer.

Aroma is not atypical for a tripel: phenols and a bit of malt sweetness. There seemed to be a hint of juniper on the nose. The flavor is a nice malt body with a dry finish that highlights the kiss of alcoholic sweetness. There is a slight bitterness on the finish.

They serve with cheese cubes but I recommend buying the cheese plate as well. The combination of flavors with this beer is a great experience.

From the menu (what little of the Dutch I could read) it seems that this beer is actually 11%, and they limit customers to 3. I believe this is true because my wife and I had one each, and really felt the alcohol when we left . If truly 11%, this beer does an amazing job of masking the alcohol.

I highly recommend this beer because of the entire experience. Go to De Garre and try it yourself!

Serving type: on-tap

01-31-2010 12:18:44 | More by gyllstromk

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-golden amber color with a nice white head and some lacing

S-spices, caramel, bananas

T-yeasty bread, bananas, caramel, spices, hints of lemon

F-medium body with light carbonation, smooth and creamy

O-a delicious Tripel for sipping and savoring, nice balance and flavor

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 01:25:12 | More by MDDMD

DoubleJ

California

4.31/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Served on-tap at De Garre in its proper snifter. On to the beer:

Part of the experience is the presentation. The golden color can be appreciated, but the super thick head which is poured at De Garre leaves a blanket of lace around the glass provides a talking point that cannot be ignored. The aroma is impressive as well, brining pine, pineapple, citrus, and toasted sugar. It's also a little boozy.

Flavorful tripel. Going along the route of a tropical flavor and booze, it brings lots of pineapple and alcohol to taste. Nutmeg and white pepper provide opposition to its two focal points. Should the mouthfeel be anotehr talking point? It's full bodied and velvety is texture, and seems to coat the mouth with itself.

A classic tripel. Yes, there are a few other tripels which I prefer, but there's something to be said about having this beer served at its house and in its own unique manner.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 22:19:32 | More by DoubleJ

emerge077

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Never thought i'd get to try this stateside, thanks Alex for sharing this rare bottling. Review from notes.

Served from a magnum into a mini pint glass. Managed a couple pours before the bottle was emptied.

Soft hazy orange, almost a pastel tone, with energetic trails of champagne carbonation. The fluffy foam settles, leaving a ring of lacing to decorate the edges. A steady pour generated two fingers of stiff, dense foam.

Dreamy aroma of tangerine, tropical fruit, banana creme pie, vanilla wafers, marzipan, and spun sugar.

Dominating fruit flavors, sweet but not cloying. Some mild clove/spice phenolics in the back, estery Belgian yeast throwing off some banana esters. Soft and very creamy feel, this is a dream to drink. A slight bite initially, but it quickly yields to the creamy confection qualities. As it warms, the alcohol becomes slightly perceptible, versus being invisible when served chilled.

Overall very smooth and balanced, this makes me want to seek out other Tripels, which isn't a style i'm usually into. Thanks again Alex!

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2010 02:46:38 | More by emerge077

smakawhat

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured on tap at Meridian Pint DC into a tulip glass. Man I've been wanting this beer for ages!

A real nice super creamy white head, meringue and whipped with lots of staying power off the pour, sits on a body that is truly crystal clear brass and bronze. Nice slow rising carbonation, and lots of sticky lacing while drinking. The body color may not be my fav, but the head and all the parts are here looking real good.

Nose is sort of basic, but real solid. The only letdown. Classic candy sweetness mixing with not much else, no fruit sense, but clean with a hint of thick vinous body perhaps coming.

Palate is rich and juicy, with a vinous character. Pinot Grigio sensation lime, a wonderful wine like sweetness on the finish, maybe even some faint under ripe green pear. Coating throughout on the palate, with a good malt but also hiding the abv quite nicely.

Overall pretty impressive, not sure if it's the best one I've had, but I would love to have a bottle of this for comparisons.

Serving type: on-tap

04-05-2012 00:02:29 | More by smakawhat

GCBrewingCo

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

(11% ABV so tread lightly.)

The beer was crystal clear with a white frothy head which lasted very well to coat the glass.

The aroma was fruity and nicely spicy with strong pepper and an estery fruit chracter and a caramel malt.

The flavor was lightly spicy with a low caramel and light malt presnece. The flavor almost had a pineapple characteristic.

The finish was dry with a strong peppery character long into the aftertaste. The body was meidum and the moderate carbonation lent a creamy mouthfeel. The beer gave a nice warming presence after consumption. Actually a very good tripel. Be careful with this one at 11%.

Served in a Garre glass, at Garre in Brugge of course, on 9/13/06 and 9/14/06.

Serving type: on-tap

09-19-2006 23:13:52 | More by GCBrewingCo

jgasparine

Maryland

4.13/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The house tripel at Staminee de Garre

A- Poured into a chalice with a thick foamy white head, which was very well retained. Absolutely lovely lacing throughout. The body was a slightly hazy, mildly carbonated, golden color. Looks wonderful.

S- Impressions of pale, and perhaps some Munich malt; some Belgian yeast esters, some candi sugar, and some rich doughy aromas as well. It's like fresh bread dough!

T- It starts out quite nice in the mouth, like fresh dough you would use to make sweet rolls. You get some pale malt, candi sugar, some Belgian yeastiness... but then as you move onto the finish, it becomes quickly dry and metallic. The metallic is a bit of a turn-off, and downgrades the Taste rating accordingly.

M- A medium, perhaps medium-plus body. Just a little bit of unattenuated sugar there, which gives it a little bit of graininess. The carbonation is nice, soft and constant.

D- I would love to have a second glass, but the metallic notes on the mouth would keep me from a third glass.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2010 02:00:11 | More by jgasparine

beertunes

Washington

4.1/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in goblet. Poured a lightly hazy golden-honey color with over 2 inches of fluffy and rocky white head that had very good retention and lacing.

The aroma was a very example of the expected spice and yeast over a solid grain base. Same on the tongue, all the anticipated flavors of the style, grain spice and yeast, just very well defined and bold.

The body was good, however I found it to be a bit thicker and stickier than typical. Drinkability was excellent. If time had allowed, I would have had another one immediately.

Overall, a very well-done example of one of my favorite styles. A must try if you see it.

Serving type: on-tap

02-18-2011 22:46:12 | More by beertunes

EPICAC

Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this on tap at De Garre in Brugge.

Appearance: Pours a lightly hazy golden-orange with a three-finger, off-white head with excellent retention that leaves intact sheets of lace as it fades.

Smell: Has a nice fruity smell with a blend of bananas and sour apple with a bit of pepper.

Taste: Light, but fruity with sweet bananas and sour apples. The fruitiness is balanced nicely with some spiciness and bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied, creamy, moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Very well balanced, but watch out for the alcohol.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2006 02:56:27 | More by EPICAC

beerpirates

Belgium

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a magnum bottle ( 1.5 L ) into a white wine glass

Cloudy orange yellow beer, enormous white creamy head, stable and adhesive. Aroma: malts, yeast, hops, candi sugar, and good deal of alcohol (not surprising).
MF: soft carbon, full body.
Taste: sweet malts and alcohol sweetness, countered by a fair amount of hop bitters, somewhat fruity. Numbing alcohol in the back of the throat.
Aftertaste: hops, some fruityness, grapefruit and exotic fruits. A very hoppy and tasty beer!

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 18:32:57 | More by beerpirates

baiser

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I stopped in at De Garre in Brugge on a sunny Sunday afternoon. It took a few tries before we got the address right. It was served on a tray with some cheese and this was the perfect afternoon snack. Brewed by Van steenberge for De Garre as their house beer, this is a delightful tripel. A creamy, rich, lasting head with tonnes of lacing on their unique glass. This isn't a first class tripel, but it hit the spot that day. It was fruity, with lots of malt character and finished very sweet. Alcohol is well hidden. Body is cloudy, golden yellow in colour. Recommended if you're in Brugge.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2006 21:06:08 | More by baiser

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's during the annual Belgian fest event.

The beer pours a fairly light gold color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is attractive enough, showcasing honey, orange citrus, vanilla and light cherry. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, with light bitterness on the finish that helps to counter the moderate sweetness. The beer is otherwise medium bodied at most, and was a bit thin I thought for the abv. The beer finishes well, with some moderate sweetness and drying hoppy bitterness. Alcohol is well disguised, and I was surprised to see the 10.5% abv.

While nothing extraordinairy, this was still a very nice tripel from Van Steenberge.

Serving type: on-tap

02-29-2012 17:30:02 | More by johnmichaelsen

jdense

Oregon

4/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Brasserie Beck, 2.19.12, $13 for 10 oz. pour. OUCH. Should have waited to Max's Belgian Fest the next day, though it did go rather well with the delicious Carbonnade.

Finger and a half pure white head, quick dissipation with minimal lacing. Clear orange gold, minimal visible carbonation. Taste is dry fruit, peaches, a bit of honey sweetness balanced by dry munich malt. Nose mirrors taste. Mouthfeel medium, good effervescence, ABV well hidden. I understand this is rather rare, but I'd rather have a Westmalle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 18:19:12 | More by jdense

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

4/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap in the lovely 'Staminee De Garre' many times: this review is of one taken on 17 Oct 2012: poured into the usual goblet shaped glass.

Old gold body with huge foaming head that subsided enough to see I'd been poured more than it intitially looked.

A malty fruit basket of smells hit the nose: they carried on into the taste as well. Add a yeasty feel and a musty nudge to the flavours and you're about there.

Smooth and easy to drink: the alcohol well hidden, goes nicely with the cheese given along side the beer when in De Garre.

Serving type: on-tap

10-29-2012 11:35:07 | More by BlackHaddock

Damian

Massachusetts

3.95/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank on-tap at Staminee De Garre, Brugge, Belgium
Served in a signature Garre goblet

The beer poured a crystal clear amber color with a near three-finger head of super creamy, off-white froth. Tons of lacing stuck all along the glass. The head slowly faded to a thick, resilient cap that lasted the entire drink.

Lots of must in the aroma. The beer had a very cellar-like quality. Somewhat sweet and spicy. Yeasty. Belgian candi sugar notes were apparent. The nose became even sweeter as the beer warmed.

The taste was also quite sweet and spicy. Wheaty, crisp and moderately tart. Slightly lemony. Fruity in the center. Somewhat hoppy and semi-dry on the finish. A touch of alcohol warmth came through as well.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied with a crisp, sprightly effervescence.

Drinkability was quite good. This beer was tasty and well rounded. The sweeter than average flavor profile might limit your consumption however.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2010 14:03:14 | More by Damian

UCLABrewN84

California

3.91/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Congregation Ale House in Pasadena, CA.

Pours a hazy honey orange with a foamy white head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy swaths of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, grain, honey, and spice aromas. Taste is much the same with honey and fruit flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer that tastes slightly better than it smells in my opinion.

Serving type: on-tap

05-13-2013 04:30:40 | More by UCLABrewN84

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Teresa's, Wayne, PA

Hey, I was supposed to get a free piece of cheese with this beer, and I didn't! Oh well.

Anyway, this triple was served on tap in a tulip glass, coppery-peach color, moderately carbonated with a slight, white head that left some nice doily-ish lacing. Aroma of pale malts, floral hops, and light fruits. Taste followed the aroma, with pale malts, candi, and fruity esters up front, pear, white wine; light peppery spice and floral hops come in mid-palate, followed by a bit of breadiness and a somewhat bitter, dry finish, with a definite hit of alcohol. Medium body, and quite drinkable, but not quite as smooth as I prefer my tripels to be.

Serving type: on-tap

12-15-2011 00:45:28 | More by Rifugium

JohnfromDublin

Ireland

3.73/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Tasted in Staminee de Garre, Brugge on tap 22nd May 2005.

Served in unique glass that has a thick stem to it. This makes it look very good, but is slightly awkward. Anyway, appearence is quite light in colour, more straw than amber with very nice head.

Smell is good, hoppy and fresh but more floral than I expected.
It is the beer of the house, and is quite strong (at 8%) and tastes like that (strong, I mean). No disguising the alcohol, but this is a quite drinkable tripel with a good mouthfeel.

I quite liked this, even if it is not the best tripel ever. If drinking this upstairs in de Garre (as I was), beware the almost vertical stairs when exiting!

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2005 09:55:28 | More by JohnfromDublin

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.53/5  rDev -19%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured golden yellow with a three finger white head that subsided to a minimal amount very slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, fruit, alcohol, and spice. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, fruit, alcohol, floral, and spice. It had a light feel on the palate with high carbonation. Overall this was a pretty decent brew. As far as the style goes this one was pretty nice. I wish there would have been another touch of complexity going on with it. But what was present was still quite nice and fairly well balanced. Definitely worth trying if you get the chance and see it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

09-14-2012 11:55:42 | More by thagr81us

JulieRFoster

Pennsylvania

3.4/5  rDev -22%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer is made for the bar de garre in Bruges - a great little place to visit if you can find it! It is a well rounded beer, and you should certainly try it while here, but not the greatest trippel by any means.
It has a lovely light blonde color and slightly cloudy, served in its own unique chalice. It has fantastic head retention and thick, intricate Belgium lacing. The head retention gives it a delightful little puff when finishing the glass.
The medium mouthfeel was appropriate to the style. The nose is slightly floral and dry with some malty notes. The taste was a little less pronounced than the scent, but basically the same.

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2006 16:47:58 | More by JulieRFoster

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

This is one of the house beers on tap at Staminee De Garre in Bruges.

Appearance: A golden pour with a medium and very rich looking white head.

Smell: Medium nose with a very lemony and malty kick to it. Somewhat flowery and herbal.

Taste: Again, a vert floral taste with a slight bitterness and herbal character. Some nice maltiness here that helps turn the corner to a semi-sweet finish. A pinch of sweet-bread in there somehwere as well.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied beer w/good maltiness and fullness. Grainy and floarl mouthfeel.

Drinkability: Ahhhh, it was worth a try. Half decent beer, worth trying once.

Serving type: on-tap

11-03-2003 21:40:48 | More by Popsinc