Brasserie Des Rocs Triple Impériale - Brasserie de l'Abbaye des Rocs s.a.

nickhiller

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: amber-brown, flat, no head.

S: sugary malt, bread and biscuit

T: tastes like an alcohol-free malt drink, no even the faintest suggestion of hops, Belgian candy and brown sugar, biscuit, rubber, topped off by a nice smoky charcoal/cigar finish

M: pleasantly smooth, just enough carbonation to tickle the tongue

O: delicious, I was skeptical going into this--I'm not a huge fan of big malty beers--but this one really surprised.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2011 00:09:42 | More by nickhiller

afinepilsner

Iowa

4.65/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

11.2oz brown bottle
10% abv

Brasserie des Rocs Triple Imperiale was dark brown in color (red with some sediment floating about when held to a light). It had a large off-white head with very good retention and left a little lacing. The smell was dark fruit, dark malt, and spicy yeast. The taste was malt, dark fruit, and yeast flavors and spices. The finish was long, fruity, and semi-dry. The mouthfeel was very good with a full body and creamy carbonation. The drinkability was excellent. This is a very good Belgian Ale and well worth trying out.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 23:31:48 | More by afinepilsner

metter98

New York

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The beer is very hazy brown in color and poured with a finger high beige head that slowly died down and left a thick ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass and wispy patterns of bubbles in the center. There are lots of chunky yeast particles visible floating in suspension.
S: There are strong aromas of dark fruits in the nose--plums and raisins stand out in particular.
T: Like the smell, the taste is rather fruity and has flavors of dark fruits and yeast. There are notes of malty sweetness and some hints of spices.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied and smooth on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation.
D: The beer goes down very smoothly and the alcohol is well hidden from the taste.

Note: Expiration date on bottle indicates best before end of 2009, so this beer must be aged.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2011 15:45:12 | More by metter98

HalfFull

California

3.65/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750 ml. capped bottle into a large wine glass. The Triple Impériale has been resting in my cellar for some time, Alas, a bit of age seems in order for this non-tripel Triple, it being a BSDA in disguise.

Pours a medium brown with some ruby highlights and offers half an inch of off white cap. A bit of yeast chunk floats around even after some sensitive handling and storage. Best before June 2012 fyi. Holds a thin surface film throughout.

Pleasant nose of Belgian yeast notes muddled with brown sugar. Not a whole lot of variety here and with some alcohol esters playing a notable role. Bit of muddled fig as well. Seems a bit stale however, though Belgian notes reveal themselves more with exposure.

Taste follows with sweet and fruity notes. Chewy yet without being sweet per se. Finishes with some brown sugar barleywine notes and a return of dried fig and prune. Smooth and pleasant yet the brown sugar is a bit too dominant here as well.

Quite enjoyable and with a great level of carbonation. Nose improves through the bottle. A fresher bottle would likely be more enjoyable as well as for the flavor. A bit too oriented towards a brown sugar flavor. A fresher brew may or may not offer such character. In the mean time filter this one for the yeast/protein chunk is out of control in the end.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2011 07:32:40 | More by HalfFull

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle served in my Captain Lawrence tulip at 53 degrees. Best before end 2009 indicated on the back label. Bottle opens with a slight gush. Pours a murky mahogany with a dense and frothy two inch, cream-colored head that eventually settles into a solid quarter inch cap. Lots of floaties present in solution and also dispersed across the surface of the head. I'm really digging the nose on this - candied dark fruit (figs and prunes) at first, but there's also an earthy woodiness present in the mix, as well as a trace of spice. Taste follows nose - not as sweet or cloying as suggested by the nose. A bit of caramel or toffee follows that candied fruit before revealing some cherry tartnesss towards the finish. Mouthfeel is medium-light with a pleasant, even carbonation and a light bit of astringency towards the end. A truly top notch example of the style. Easy drinking and complex without being overly sweet. Alcohol is extremely well-hidden as well at 10%. I'll have to pick-up a newer vintage to see how it compares.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2011 00:53:29 | More by Jwale73

AlexF

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml, bought in Philly during a trip.
Poured in a chalice.

Deep brown caramel colour, with a no-so-foamy head that vanished quickly. However, a nice but thin layer of fine bubbles remained for several minutes, if not the entire sipping session (and sipping 750 ml is long!). LOTS of yeasts in suspension, which reduces the attractiveness of the brew.

I expected something fruity, but notes of grass and earth were very vibrant. Dark chocolate. Peanut butter (?!).

This tastes good!! Very complex beer, with a strong hoppy and malty start, and a caramely-alcoholy finish. Alcohol content not quite well hidden, but not in a bad way.

I recommend this brew!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2011 00:30:27 | More by AlexF

crnipeter

Slovenia

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

300 ml bottle, BB date reads 20. December 2012, into baby Chimay (180 ml) chalice. Pours sparkling beige head that slowly recedes (later pours exhibit less head retention) to a firm cloth atop of hazy, deep coppery-brown body with loads of tiny yeast particles. The floaties are not loathsome by any means and only enhance the natural aspects of the beer. Aroma is rich malty sweetness with honeyish notes, fruity esters of plum, raisin and dried cherries, nutmeg-like spiciness, faint peppery phenolics and nearly imperceptible alcohol. Flavor is rich, almost Mucih-type like malty sweetness with bready overtones, dried dark fruits, nutmeg and subtle bitterness, however, the balance is entirely towards the malt. Finishes sweet. Medium to full bodied, viscous and creamy with soft carbonation, tends to coat the lips with gooish sweet film.

In short: a rich malty, fruity brew with nutmeg-like spiciness and sticky texture.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2011 23:36:24 | More by crnipeter

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked up a bottle of this at State Line. Served in a wine glass.

Pours dark brown with a slight head that falls to a thin collar and a galaxy cap. Spins out to a thin collar throughout. The nose is not clearly as sweet as the Brune. There is a stronger plum/prune character with some very slight spice. There is some grape in the nose. The taste is dry without too much sweetness. A bit of mild earthy character; maybe some slight hints of tobacco. There are plum and dark fruits as well. Mild date character. The finish is a bit too dry and mildly astringent. Strange, somewhat-sharp dryness there. No booze at all, which is quite impressive. Drinkable but nowhere near the level of the Brune.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2010 03:07:50 | More by Thorpe429

drabmuh

Maryland

4.1/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer poured into a Russian river tulip. Beer is brien and hazy with a halo head of off white bubbles. Some lacing and low carbonation.

Aroma is bready and sweet with lots of esters.

Beer is thin and sweet up front and mildly dry. The finish has a mild roast and a mild bitterness. Lots of yeast character on the early to midpalate. Decent mouthfeel and a nice finish.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2010 05:06:32 | More by drabmuh

clayrock81

Virginia

4.05/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a auburn-brown body with a frothy, cloying head that died slow and left a lace ring down the glass. A great aroma of orange/yeast that I always find in Belgians and then a large, sweet (caramel) malt smell with some breadiness and a minor touch of hops and fruit. A real smooth, medium body that borders on creaminess. Has a strong, sweet taste of caramel, chocolate and some sugary/sticky like maple or...a touch of breadiness gives the malts balance and a bit of its dry edge. There are also some citrc hops and something akin to tropical fruits in the backend, giving a slightly fruity taste as it finishes which works well w/ the malts. A easy and wonderful to enjoy sipper that has a touch of complexity and I still can't believe the ABV hits 10%; they did a grat job having ABV complement beer but not overpower it.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2010 21:28:11 | More by clayrock81

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle poured in a chalice.

A: Aggressive carbonation when opened. The foam practically jumped off the bottle... However, after pouring it, the beige head was medium with small retention and no lacings are left. As a traditional Des Rocs, the body is dense and dirty full of yeasts floating around
S: Traditional Belgian dark ale. Very fruity and yeasty. Notes of plums. Bready too. Shake it a bit and the perfume jumps out to the nose. Caramel malts and some hops. Bit liquorous. Pure pleasure
T: Taste follows the nose. Quite fruity. Plums and raisins are there. Complex and spicy. Sweet upfront. Light bitter end. Strong taste of Belgian yeasts and a peculiar ash aftertaste
M: Expectable creamy body. Medium to low carbonation. A bit molasses
D: High. Lovely Beer

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2010 22:15:41 | More by eduardolinhalis

KidsDoc

California

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Like unwrapping a Christmas present with the black foil over the oversized bottle cap! (my local beer store hyped this up to me (Wines and Wares in Jacksonville, NC - great selection).

Poured a 750mL bottle into tulip.

Appearance: dark brown, opague with a huge tan head with aggressive pour into a Duvel tulip. Head recedes over about 2 mins leaving a thin layer that clings only a tiny bit to the glass. Large yeast floaties throughout - like nothing I've ever seen, thought I would have to eat them. St Bernardus Abt 12 was the most I'd seen previously but this was 5x that much floating yeast.

Smell: very sweet and bready. the dark fruit of plums and even some light cherry smell is amazing. The best part is this smell last throughout the session unlike many other that get dulled as you drink it. Even with an excellent taste I could be happy just smelling this beer all night.

Taste: very light up front but builds with a thickness in the middle that holds on. Leaves a sticky, bready fullness at the end The yeast presence dominates but there is a rich sweetness like a red wine, syrah?, that lingers.

Mouthfeel: This is tough. I loved this offering but at time the huge yeast chunks unwelcomingly hit your lips. The carbonation was very mild. It felt watery at the start of the sip but filled out nicely with a medium body. Left some stickiness at the end inviting the next sip.

Drinkability: a very pleasant sipping beer. I would never have more than one alone, but can't wait to split the next one with a friend. Defining drinkability as the enjoyment factor rather than trying to label as session beer this is very drinkable in a sitting and you are set for the night.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2010 23:17:11 | More by KidsDoc

Flightoficarus

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a deep, chestnut brown with a large (4 finger or so) tan head, which recedes and is somewhere between bubbly and creamy lacing wise. Large chunks of yeast are visible in this brew!

S - Smell is of brown sugar, caramel, belgian candi, various dark fruits (plum, fig), with some subtle nutty and wine-like characteristics.

T - Taste is of a thick, bready maltbackbone of brown sugar, caramel, molasses, candi, various spices, plum, yeast, and some other (but enjoyable) flavors I can't quite put my finger on. A deep, complex, flavorful brew!

M - Mouthfeel is full-bodied, with medium carbonation, and a creamy texture.

D - 10% forbids it from the realms of sessionability, but it's very enjoyable to drink nonetheless. Maybe too so.

Overall - Though I think I prefer the Grand Cru Special Brown from this brewery, this is also an excellent beer from them, and I'm glad I've tried it. You won't be disappointed if you like BSDA's.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2010 07:31:24 | More by Flightoficarus

mkorpal

Wyoming

3.98/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured from a 750ml bottle into my well used New Belgium globe glass. Dark amber with a slightly off white head, about half an inch. This beer contains more yeast sediment than any beer I have ever poured, which is quite something considering the homebrews I make. Oh well, don't fear the yeast.

Smell is of brown sugar, various dark fruits, such as plum, raisins and figs. It has a hint of breadyness to it as well.

Taste includes the brown sugar, dark fruits, raisins, and figs, but also includes a healthy dose of bread and a hint of chocolate in the background. Bread taste comes from yeast. Little hops are detected anywhere.

Mouthfeel is medium, on the verge of heavy, possibly because of the solids in this beer.

Drinkability does suffer from an alcoholic bite to the beer, and the massive amount of stuff in the beer. While it does nothing o hurt the smell or taste, just looking at it makes me a bit queezy. Still was enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2010 00:18:45 | More by mkorpal

argock

Virginia

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 4

From green 750mL foil-capped magnum. Poured half into a Chimay chalice and the second half into a Duvel tulip. Served at 55F. Best by 18/12/11 on back label. Purchased at Beer Run (Charlottesville, VA) for $8.39.

A: The initial appearance in the chalice was excellent with nice deep chestnut and 1-finger beige, cola-like head with decent retention and nice lacing. Unfortunately, the second half of the beer had tons of coagulated, flocculated protein which obviously is not what you want.

S: The aroma is exceptional with candied dark fruit like fig and raisin mixed with bready maltiness. Hops are earthy and in the background.

T: The flavor is comparable to Rochefort 10 in my mind -- very full bready maltiness with dark fruit, maple, chocolate, and vanilla bean also. Hops are low on the horizon with some earth tones. THe protein does not affect the flavor (thankfully) only the appearance and feel. A real treat and I would love to re-review with a pristine bottle, although it seems like this beer has been know to have this problem before.

M: The feel on the first half was top-tier with a velvety smoothness from muted but still active carbonation and full body. The protein in the second half provided a fluffiness that was not enjoyable.

D: A tale of two beers -- the carefully decanted first half was one of the most enjoyable beers I have had, easil a personal top ten. The second half, however, was marred by the protein problem and makes me wonder if this beer was mishandled somewhere along the chain. I will try it again, but only after a snow globe test to see if protein is there.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2010 01:06:41 | More by argock

DaveHS

California

3.9/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a misty dark brown, with loads of foamy beige head. Substantial lacing. Smells like raisins, milk chocolate, stewed dark fruit, pineapple, caramel, and burnt wood. Smells like happiness. Flavors of peppery spice and chocolate take the lead, followed by dried nuts, cinnamon, and clove. Sort of a hard beer to classify. It's not really a tripel, but it's not a grand cru or quad. It's
somewhere in between, with some of the best qualities of all three.
What I like most about this beer is that it's really not all that sweet. Lush, full mouthfeel with medium carbonation. It was good to revisit this one. It's a beer I had good memories of that holds up years later.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2010 20:53:17 | More by DaveHS

elgiacomo

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev -4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle, best by 2010, bottled 2008. Served cool room temp into a Duvel tulip.

This baby wants to be a gusher, 3-minutes carefully working the cap to relieve pressure. Also completely unfiltered, just like its siblings Brune and Grand Cru, the beer is loaded with large floaty chunks of yeast and sediment, more than any other beer I've seen.

Pours a rich copper brown with a light beige head that holds a wispy cap and ring, but doesn't leave much lacing at all.

Aroma is a strong and powerful dose of rich dark fruits, candy sugar, spice, yeast and bread. The aroma comes together very nicely and is a treat to inhale.

Flavor is rich and malty, dark fruits, but also some banana, candy sugar, bread, yeast. Sweet overall.

Mouthfeel gets a bit sticky, yet finishes a bit watery, medium bodied, soft carbonation.

Very nice for a dark triple, although still a hair below Gulden Draak.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2010 04:44:13 | More by elgiacomo

babaracas

Florida

4.13/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy orange tinted red with billowing cream colored head. After a few minutes settles to a half inch with a few clumps of lace left behind. Lots of floaties. Smell: white wine at first, which was scary, but that faded after a bit. Still a little grapey, dates, brown sugar, a little soft powdery banana. Earthy hop note. Taste: a mouthful of dark brown sugar, dates, but cutting through the sweetness, earthy and slightly peppery. Cherry in the finish, some cigar in the aftertaste. There's a touch of alcohol, but at the warm temperature and 10% it's really pretty well hidden. Definitely got more interesting as it progressed. Best by 6/4/2012.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2010 03:00:03 | More by babaracas

cheezdawg

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a Chimay chalice.

Beer pours a very dark brown, almost quad like decent creamish colored head. Tons of floaties, however when drinking they are barely detected.

Smells of sweetness, a little fig, raisin, and carmel. Very nice.

Great sweet taste, a thinner version of a quad. Plenty of complexity, man I love dark tripels.

Not too thin and not too thick.

Maybe too easy to drink, I felt it after one so I can only imagine plowing through more.

A great change from other belgians, wish more were made in this style.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2010 01:17:20 | More by cheezdawg

jrallen34

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I drank this from a 11.2 oz bottle into a Gouden chalice.

The beer pours a dark brown with lots of amber highlights. There is a ton of yeast floaties moving about. The head is tan, noting special....The aroma is malty, brown sugar prunes, caramel, a lighter yeastier quad. Not bad... The taste is pruney tea with yeast. Really pretty boring but drinkable.

This is a re-review, really much lower than the original review.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2010 23:09:53 | More by jrallen34

mostpoetsdo

Rhode Island

4.2/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A: A burgundy dark brown, with a nice big off brown head. It dissipates to to a film and leaves behind a splotches of lacing. Sediment floating all around.

S: Very strong aroma, a bit sour. Fruity, mainly cherry and some citrus.

T: Big Belgian flavor. Very sweet malt and fruit. Dark fruit and citrus combined, great flavors all around. Spices constantly complimenting the beer.

M: Very smooth, low carbonation that works perfectly. Alcohol is masked incredibly well.

D: Watch out, this one is easy to plow through. Enjoy it and the high ABV, too.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2010 01:04:57 | More by mostpoetsdo

ryanonline

Florida

4.45/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

pours a deep brown that lets very little light through, and has an nice big tan head. excellent lacing.

smell of raisins, figs, and chocolate. (I'm having some major allergies tonight and my sense of smell is almost gone)

taste is much more chocolate than anything but there is a sweetness to it can't really place it.

lovely creamy body with moderate carbonation, slight oily viscosity to it. exceptional.

drinkable by all means. might be a little heavy on the tummy after a few of them though, but at 10% abv (masked very well) you don't need to many.

two thumbs up.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2009 03:45:26 | More by ryanonline

sirdrinkwell

Florida

4.15/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

a: nutty brownish/autumnal ruby in appearance with a healthy tan head that persists...

s: apricot, fig, yeast, and breadiness in general characterize the nose...

t: lively nut-fruit front with a sour fig-apricot secondary and a malty sweet finish...

m: smooth, and refreshing, substantial presence without being overbearing...

d: very enjoyable ale and an easy drink; this is a nice one that i will be happy to revisit again...

salud!

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2009 22:17:53 | More by sirdrinkwell

tronester

Oklahoma

3.23/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Pours a super cloudy reddish brown with a medium tan head. Smells strongly of phenols and rusty metals. Taste is toffee sweet up front, a bubblegum and wierd soapy flavor with a surprisingly bitter finish.

Mouthfeel is quite good though, nice and creamy with a nice low carbonation. Drinkability is Average, overall this is an OK beer, but for the money, there are much better options.

EDIT: The expiration date was over a year away, so it was not a beer that was too old.

Serving type: bottle

11-02-2009 00:06:35 | More by tronester

danielharper

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Dark coloration, amber-brown, with a thick off-white head that dissipates slowly. Significant sediment in the glass.

Smell: Very yeasty, strong notes of rich nuttiness. Somewhat bready, with a strong Belgian funk. Rich, complex, inviting.

Taste: Dark maltiness, nutty, almost chocolatey in flavor. Perhaps a touch of caramel? On the back-end a nice yeast character, rich with the best of Belgium. A slight tarty fruitiness on the finish, notes of cherries. Slightly dry on the aftertaste. Delicious.

Mouthfeel: Heavy body, coating the palate well. No significant hoppiness or carbonation. Very chewy as one gets to the bottom of the bottle where the yeast resides.

Drinkability: A very drinkable, delicious Belgian Ale. Worth a try by anyone who loves a good Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2009 03:21:54 | More by danielharper