A rich and powerful Trappist ale which exhibits all the qualities and complexities of the Trappist brewing tradition. Light and fruity, sweet and malty...nice!
La Trappe is one of the few Trappist breweries that are still in production these days. The definition of a Trappst brewery is that it is allowed to display the logo "Authentic Trappist Product" meaning that the beer is authentic and has been produced using traditional methods. Most Trappist breweries are in Belgium, but La Trappe is the only brand that is made in The Netherlands. Apparently, in Canada and the US, La Trappe Ales are marketed as Koningshoeven Trappsit Ale.
La Trappe produces several ales, such as Bockbier, Witte, Blond, Dubbel, Tripel and Quadrupel.
This article concerns the Tripel.
The name Tripel derives directly from the brewing process in that up to three times the usual amount of malt is used compared to a standard Trappst ale. Normally, Tripels are a bright yellow/golden colour, slightly darker than a regular pils type lager, with a large, thick and creamy head. The aroma and flavour should be complex, spicy and fruity which generally finishes sweet. Bitterness is there, but it's firmly in the background.
This beer pours a fairly clear, light golden, almost amber colour with streams of tiny bubbles rising to form a large, puffy head of off-white creamy foam. The head lasts well and leaves a good deposit of lace on the glass.
The aroma is big and malty. There are traces of honey and lots of fruity notes, mainly peaches and melon with some hints of apple. The apple aroma is almost cider-like and quite acidic although it's balanced out a little by some sweet, doughy bread-like aromas. There's also a good hit of spices floating around - cloves and cinnamon to mention but two.
It's medium bodied with a gently smooth mouth feel and not too much in the way of carbonation - just enough. Fruity malts dominate the flavour, with all manner of exotic flavours competing to win through. More peaches, but also some darker fruits such as plums and raisins vying with bittersweet cherries. There's a slightly overpowering yeastiness - dusty and musty, which tends to spoil the flavour a little, but there's enough going on that you soon overlook this minor blemish.
At 8% ABV, this isn't the best Tripel around, but that doesn't make it a bad beer. Far from it. There's lots of character, bags of complexity, and a plethora of interesting flavours that far outweigh the negative aspect of the musty yeast flavour. Overall, a very tasty and interesting beer that's well worth sampling.
