Val-Dieu Triple - Brasserie de l'Abbaye du Val-Dieu

kingcrowing

Vermont

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

6 liter jerobom poured into a wine glass.

Pours a nice light golden color with a small white head along with some fine lacing. Nose is fairly bready and malty, a bit ofalmost milky as well.

Taste is very smooth, creamy, a bit sweet like caramel with an almost candy finish. Mouthfeel is smooth, full and well carbonated and finishes very dry.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2011 00:08:36 | More by kingcrowing

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Ebenezer's Pub, Lovell, ME

I had two Val-Dieus (-x?) at Ebenezer's it seems. Poured into a stem glass, the tripel was a hazy golden-yellow color with a nice fluffy white head that retained well. Aroma of pale malts, white wine, some alcohol; biscuity. Yeasty taste, with sugar and spice ever-present, apple skins and a white wine sensation. Hop bitterness kicks in towards the end for a dry finish. Pleasant, light-medium mouthfeel, moderately carbonated, and quite drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2011 23:11:42 | More by Rifugium

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Moeder Lambic Fontainas into its proper goblet.

A: Clear pale amber body, 2 1/2 fingers of thick, creamy, rocky white foam. Spectacular retention and thick, chunky lace. Quintessentially perfect-looking Tripel.

S: Sweet and hugely estery. Banana, bubblegum, apple, caramel, toffee. A bit of peppery spice keeps it from being too lopsided toward sweetness. Excellent.

T: Sweet toffee malt, fruity yeast, spicy finish. Lots of bubblegum and caramel. A bit sweeter than I'd like, but delicious all the same. Great job keeping the booze in check.

M: Medium body with a huge amount of lightly prickly carbonation. Ok.

O: Of all the Tripels I tried for the first time on my trip to Belgium, this was hands-down the most enjoyable (with Gouden Carolus not far behind). I think I'd still probably prefer Karmeliet or St Bernardus, but this one is definitely in the same ballpark. Great stuff.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

06-28-2011 00:31:56 | More by woosterbill

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Some sediment was noticed in the bottle, but a careful pour yielded only small traces of yeast particles on a hazy gold body. Tightly beaded bubbles form a formidable foam cap and retention is excellent. This beer looks lively with active carbonation rising to the top.

Smell: Complex nose boasts Belgian yeast with a sweet apricot note and some underlying white pepper spice. Bready malts. A soft whiff of alcohol peeking though. Complexities abound.

Taste: A well balanced tripel with a nice peppery spice and undistinguishable fruit presence. Sharp carbonation along with an earthy and tea like hop expression. Some creamy malt melds well with the chalky yeast. Gradually the alcohol comes into the picture. Authentic, alittle raw but graceful about it.

Mouthfeel: Lighter bodied, effervescent, strong carbonation, semi dry finish.

Overall: Solid, solid tripel. True to the style, has a good bit of character and more going for it than many interpretations out there. Very fine beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2011 06:10:26 | More by Stinkypuss

n2185

North Carolina

3.3/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours a clear yellow-gold with two fingers of white head that fades into a white cap with decent lacing.

S: Some light spice and clove aromas up front followed by smells of biscuits and light breads. There are some sweet candy and light fruit notes in there, but they're surprisingly subtle.

T: Light fruit and clove flavors at first followed by a slightly bitter bread and yeast flavor that dominates all other flavors. There is an underlying honey-sweet flavor as well.

M: Light body with high carbonation, this beer is pretty well attenuated but there is a bit of an underlying sticky sweetness that keeps it from being as crisp as it should.

O: A decent beer, but a bit bland overall. I'd like more presence from both the light fruit flavors as well as the spicy yeast characteristics. And while it's not as bad as many takes on the style, there's still a bit of a sticky sweetness in there that detracts from the flavors.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2011 03:11:24 | More by n2185

runner72

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Serving from a 26 oz bottle. No freshness date.

Pours a cloudy, golden color. Three finger with head, good retention. Looks very appealing. Smell is combination of pepper, yeast, grassy, vanila. Taste is great! Hints of pepper, earthy, yeast. Very little hops. You can't taste the alcohol at all. Very smooth. Perfect for the style. Mouthfeel is nice. Carbonation dominates. Overall, a great Tripel!

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2011 22:08:35 | More by runner72

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a chalice)

A- This beer pours a slightly hazy butterscotch color with a big bubble popping of the base and racing to the surface. The snow white head is a big cobweb and last for a good bit.

S- The soft sweetness and light peppery phenolic aroma blend in an otherwise pretty clean aroma. There is a fresh grain sweetness that comes through as the beer opens up.

T- The dry light candy sugar flavor has honey and pale malt flavors with some bright dried fruit qualities to follow. The dry finish has a light hop bit with a noble green hop note.

M- This beer has a medium-light mouthfeel with a crisp finish and the alcohol is well hidden till it the last few sips.

D- This beer is simple and elegant with some great yeast character and subtle depth and a good balance of hops and sweetness.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2011 21:33:42 | More by rhoadsrage

brewdenver

Colorado

4.72/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

33cl poured into a Val-Dieu glass

A: Gold in color slightly cloudy. Poured a relatively low head dying quickly. Medium to strong lacing and fingers around glass.

S: Fruity aroma, that reminds me of banana's, sugar candy, peach. Very pleasant to take in.

T: WOW! This is one delightful beer. Banana, candy, other fruit flavors probably brought out by the hops and yeast. It starts out sweet. With a nice clean middle finishing slightly dry and with many flavors left on the palette. It truly begs you to drink more.

M: Good carbonation dancing on the tongue and bringing out the flavors and aromas of the hops. A good malty characteristic letting you know there was no lack of grain used in this beer. Some Belgiums seem to get their sweetness and abv from the candy leaving it a bit watery. Not the case here.

This is a damn good beer. I was able to get this in a gift pack along with two other Val-Dieus. The only bomber or single I have been able to find of Val-Dieu is the Grand Cru. Which is also one hell of a beer. Just wish I could find this one as well.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 16:11:35 | More by brewdenver

KajII

North Carolina

3.9/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

[Best served in a Trappist glass]

Poured a cloudy medium amber with a large frothy white head that was fully lasting and had excellent lacing. The aroma was heavy of a doughy yeast, a cereal malt and a light flowery hop with notes of citrus and apricot. It tasted sweet and mildly bitter at first and developed into a sweet , smooth and creamy flavor with nice notes of fruit. Mouthfeel was light to medium in body and quite creamy in texture with a very soft carbonation. Overall a very tasty Tripel.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2011 17:21:34 | More by KajII

Aiptasia

Florida

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Sampled from a small 11.2 oz bottle from a Whole foods mix and match 6 pack. Poured into a frosty glass beer mug.

A: When I initially poured this, it was a very light blond beer similar to a Belgian whitbier. It frothed up immediately with a big pillowy 2" head as thick as mashed potatoes. Lacing is tenacious with all day long cling. It looks beautiful.

S: Smells of biscuity hay with traces of mango.

T: Delicious citrus notes with spiced flavors of pepper, mustard, apple, mandarin orange and caramel malts. Dried grapes and peach on the exhale.

M: A good amount of carbonation with some sting from alcoholics and a very mild hop flavor. Warms with a wet belly.

D: Very drinkable and strong. You'll want more than one. Just pace yourself.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 00:10:33 | More by Aiptasia

RedBrewer83

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into goblet...

A: Light amber hue, fairly clear with a nice frothy white head, great lacing and great retention.

S: Classic tripel aromas, crisp light fruit of white grape, peach, green apple, faint floral hops and big presence of yeast and biscuit-like malt.

T: Starts off very crisp with lots of bright fruit and citrus zest, biscuit and caramel malt flavors come in next with a big presence of the yeast and a long dry finish of fruit and grassy floral hops.

M: Doesn't feel like 9% on the palate, very clean and crisp and smooth on the finish.

D: Incredibly drinkable for a tripel, found myself trying to slow down just to enjoy it more, very smooth and bright.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 20:48:07 | More by RedBrewer83

kjyost

Manitoba (Canada)

3.58/5  rDev -13.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

330 mL bottle, poured into a Duvel tulip. BB 23/02/2012. Served around 6-7C initially.

A: Nice white head with stellar retention and beautiful lacing. The body though is a little murky (I know I let some yeast in there, but not that much) and a touch more to the brown end of the spectrum than I was expecting.

S: A bit of bready yeast that is dominated by an enjoyable traditional belgian nose with a light bit of earthy funk (not strong enough to be considered a barnyard aroma) and a bit of cherry fruit

T: A bit of a letdown honestly. The body has a nice level of viscosity without being thick or cloying, just reminding you of the barley from whence it came. The esters aren't terribly strong in the body though, being overtaken by a bit of alcoholic heat and the body. Personally I like my belgians to be a touch more assertive than this.

M: As above. Enjoyable as it gives a solid body to enjoy the beer with.

D: Decent, nothing to write home about though.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2011 23:05:47 | More by kjyost

Ochsenblut

Italy

4.75/5  rDev +15.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Strawberry blonde, cloudy with a two finger billowy white head. The head retention is brilliant.

S- Delicate floral notes combine with a peppery phenols. Once the beer warms, sugar cookie smell intoxicates the senses.

T- Sweet vanilla is accented with light citrusy hops, combining with a touch of the expected peppery phenols. The alcohol warms the back of the throat all the while, creating a complex sensation balanced between the purfume-like sweetness of the malt, the subtle bite of the citrusy hops and the conclusive pepper and alcohol kick. The aftertaste is grassy, almost hay-like, and lingers along with a mellow sourness.

M- The mouthfeel is slick (diacetyl?) and extremely soft with low carbonation.

D- The alcohol isn't hidden in this beer. On the contrary, it plays quite well to create a balanced and complex drinking experience. The notable presence of it however makes this beer less of a session and more of a one-offer.

Serving type: on-tap

01-30-2011 15:11:16 | More by Ochsenblut

impending

California

3.98/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml into a tulip. Pours a clear pale gold with towering dense head which recedes leaving fine lace.

Aroma is crisp, clean and sweet from fleshy light skinned fruits sitting in the middle of a bakery at the workday start. No phenols. Excellent.

Very sweet, very fruity and lots of yeast. Hop flavor is minor, bitterness nearly non existent. The alcohol is just a tad peppery, I would like it to be hotter to balance the sweetness since the finish is not dry in the least. A pleasant little alcohol gut warmth follows the aftertaste. Full bodied viscous mouthfeel. Improves with warmth.

The level of sweetness will decide if you like this or . . . .
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2011 06:06:40 | More by impending

fourplayed

California

4.47/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Lite and Clear Straw color with thin white head and minimal lacing.

Smells of Grapes, grains, spices, yeasts...sweet.

Taste is fairly sweet and somewhat vinuous, grapes, pears, apricot. Nice malts, spice and mild hop notes & bite. alcohol is well hidden.

Lite to medium body, medium zesty carbonation, medium alcohol warmth, nice dry finish.

A fruity and sweet vinuous tripel with nice malt smoothness and decent dry finish, interesting spice's and yeasts make this one a true belgiun brew...a bit too sweet for my tastes.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2010 17:42:39 | More by fourplayed

Sneers

New York

3.95/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

This one inadvertently got knocked around in the fridge, so there's more yeast floating around in it that would usually be. It pours a hazy, tawny gold with a tight white head that leaves a surprising amount of lacing.

Green apple aroma mixes well with a sugary sweetness and a nice floral aroma.

The taste carries on the fruit, with elements of apple, pear, and caramelized, alcohol-soaked raisins. I suppose this lends itself to an ever-so-slightly vinous character. The finish is sweet and smooth.

I don't know when this was bottled, but it's best-by date is only a month away, so I have to imagine this one already has some age on it. The alcohol is barely perceptible, and the bitterness which the Val-Dieu website claims this beer to have is just as minimal.

The mouthfeel is smooth, kind of thin, and on the flatter side of things. So very, very drinkable however.

This is an interesting tripel. It's sweeter and fruitier than most I've had, while being less spicy and dry. I suspect its presumed age may have something to do with it, so I'd be very curious to try a fresher bottle and see how it differs.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2010 05:28:05 | More by Sneers

eric5bellies

Australia

4.33/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Drank from my Duvel Tulip.

A - Pours a hazey copper colour with a white throthy head that stays around and laces the glass.

S - Aromas of orange and apple with some pineapple.

T - Plenty of pears and pineapple with a little passionfruit has a nice spicey booze finish.

M - Medium body with limited carbonation, makes for a smooth drop.

D - What a damn fine tripel and recommeded.

Serving type: bottle

11-30-2010 15:38:45 | More by eric5bellies

armock

New York

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured a golden color with an off white head that leaves lacing behind

S - Is of sweet grainy malt and Belgian yeast

T - Like the smell starts off with sweet malt then the Belgian yest comes through and has a alcohol finish

M - This beer has a medium body with higher carbonation to it

D - Over all this is a pretty good Tripel pretty easy drinking with a good taste worth picking up sometime if you see it around

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2010 02:09:22 | More by armock

A380

Manitoba (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very nice slightly cloudy light orange gold, with an amazing white fine bubbled head! Amazing smell of sweet grains, tastes alot like leffe blonde yet not as strong in the aftertaste. tastes almost syrup like, delicious :) spicy and honey like, A superb beer, alcohol content also gives it nice kick and makes it drinkable at 9% ABV. i could easily give this drink this anytime any day any season. and thats what i think makes a good beer. this beer has that. its super. super!!! :) Try this one !!! its awesome
prost!

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2010 00:14:10 | More by A380

RuudJH

Netherlands

4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very pleasant Belgian style tripel. Classic notes of malts, spicy and grassy hops. Yeast. Nice balance nice semi-dry finish. Clean aftertaste.
High alcohol is well masked too.
All in all, not a bad choice in a bar. If you don't have a favourite tripel yet, this could easily be one you get stuck on.
Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2010 08:42:59 | More by RuudJH

dasenebler

Maine

4.08/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

33cl bottle, Netherlands.

Pours a rich gold, with a bit of cloudy sediment for good measure. Outstanding pillowy head, good lacing and even better retention.

Aroma is fantastic, with some really nice ripe fruit notes: tart apple, fresh pear and other phenolic delights. Sweet and bready background.

The flavor is good. At first quite sweet and cakey, but with a drying, quenching finish. There is layer of vanilla that I really dig. Spiciness abounds, along with a nice alcoholic kick, if a bit obvious. This is a very well-made Tripel, though I wish it were a bit drier. It's somewhere in between sweet and dry. Mouthfeel was somewhat rough, but there was some creaminess that kept the beer from falling apart on the palate.

This is an excellent Tripel, and one you should not hesitate to purchase. Makes for an excellent afternoon delight.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2010 12:37:23 | More by dasenebler

beerpirates

Belgium

4.03/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

33 cl bottel poured into my tripel karmeliet glass

A: Poured a coppery-orange with a nice thick creamy white3 finger head with a good lacing.

S: fruity, sweet and spicy with some yeast bready and citrus flavour

T: fruity, with some honey, apples and citrus. There was a nice yeastiness with pale grains with a light spicy alcohol finish that was tangy and sweet.

M: creamy with a light body and texture with some candi-sugar sweetness with a slight stickiness. Aftertatse was à little bit bitter that stays in the mouth , very Nice

D:this triple was very refreshing and very well made

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2010 18:52:06 | More by beerpirates

rapidsequence

Virginia

4.1/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle.

Appearance: Clear gold with a large, white, rocky head that fades over several minutes and leaves a thin sheet across the top of the beer. Pretty good looking lacing.

Smell: Sweet and slightly tart light fruit. Pears, apples, and white grapes. Slightly spicy and musty yeast.

Taste: There's more strong yeastiness and clove than fruitiness-- not that its not fruity. Pretty sweet, but not too much so. Very sweet on the finish.

Mouthfeel: This has that sticky sweet feeling in the mouth that many good tripels have, but it remains a bit to sticky, and doesnt dry out enough at the end. Carbonation seems about right.

Drinkability: I really like this one. Not the best tripel, but really solid. The best of the Val Dieus that I've had.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 00:48:13 | More by rapidsequence

HalfFull

California

3.65/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a wine glass from a 750 ml. bottle, showing a golden straw in color, rather clear with just a hint of haze, and with an inch or so of soapy white foam. Offers light retention and light lacing.

Nose is pleasant but not overly striking. Nice fruity yeast character and a bit of coarse spice. Light tangerine citrus association and some ripe pear. Nice though not as volatile as some of the style, expanding a bit with warming and offering a decent hop aroma but only through the foam. More subtle as the beer settles.

Flavor of citrus carries to the taste and is accompanied by some summer fruit. Lightly sweet pale malt body and a light citric bitterness on the finish. Creamy carbonation gives a good feel to a somewhat flat flavor profile for a tripel. Drink is held back a bit by a lack of passion for the brew even though it does drink rather well. Overall an enjoyable though somewhat neutral brew that lacks the lingering finish of many Belgian Tripels.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 05:27:28 | More by HalfFull

SuperSpy

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz bottle poured into a Corsendonk glass. Best before date of December 2012.

A - Beautifully golden, with a big rocky snow-white head and plenty of carbonation. The head never dies and is still an inch tall after it disipates.

S - Pale malt, pear and pepper. Sweet alcohol esters and earthy spice.

T/M - Medium bodied and smooth. Sweet fruits and light honey are up front. Peppery in the middle, a hint of earthy hops and a finish that is slightly tangy and reminiscent of sweet citrus fruits but without the sweetness if that makes sense.

D - Very smooth and wonderfully complex. Nothing overwhelms and all of the characteristics are easily enjoyed. An excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2010 19:39:29 | More by SuperSpy