Beer of the Weekend #171: St. Bernardus Tripel
Last night, after having a couple beers with Bobblehead and his Missus at The Sanctuary, I moseyed over to Dirty’s on my way back to my car. (I had conveniently parked in the lot between George’s and the Bluebird Diner, so it was on my way.) It was close to midnight, and after reaching the beer area a cashier announced over the PA, “Attention John’s Grocery customers. We will be closing in three minutes so please make your final selection and bring your items to the register.”
Shit! I had no clue what to get and three minutes to get it.
I quickly scanned the shelves in the walk-in cooler and flirted with a few sixers, but did not feel confident getting anything. On my way out, as I passed the wall of Belgian beers in the room temperature area, I almost decided to come back today. However, I hastily snatched this weekend’s brew and took it to the register. It was not the ideal beer buying situation, or decision, but it should prove to be a good choice in the end.
Moral of the story: John’s closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday.
The beer of the weekend is St. Bernardus Tripel, brewed by Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV of Watou, Belgium.
Serving type: Four 11.2-ounce (330 ml) bottles. The BEST BEFORE END date on the bottle is 260312. That’s March 26, 2012 for all of you who are date-month-year impaired. (Here’s an idea: why don’t all UN member nations adopt uniform measuring, dating, and paper sizing systems?)
Appearance: Straight pour into a tulip. The color is a cloudy, lemonade gold that has a little “dirty dishwater” tinge to it. Three fingers of white, billowy, beautiful head developed and dissipated slowly to leave a foamy spotted lacing.
Smell: Very spicy up front, though it is not off-putting. It is very sweet, as well. Orange citrus, bready yeast, banana, raisin, and a little bubblegum. It’s like spicy orange bubblegum. The alcohol sting also comes through as well.
Taste: Smooth and surprisingly subtle. The spices from the smell are present, but they take a backseat to the heaping of malts. This is truly liquid bread as it tastes like a multigrain loaf with hints of lemon zest, orange citrus, and pepper for spice. The alcohol is noticeable on the tail end of each sip, but it is nothing offensive.
Drinkability: High quality stuff. Though not overly complex, it is loveable, very tasty, and drinkable.
Fun facts about St.BT:
-Style: Tripel. This is what BA has to say:
-Price: $15.99/four-pack at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 46-50ºF. It was printed on the side and bottom of the carrier. That’s the way to do it, St. B!
-Alcohol content: 8 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA suggests Mediterranean cuisine, sharp cheeses (Blue, Cheddar), pungent cheeses (Gorgonzola, Limburger), pork, and poultry.
-The carrier advises drinkers to serve St.BT in “a goblet glass.” I planned to pick one up at The Glass House earlier today, since goblets are not bad to have around, but I had other stuff I needed to do. A goblet is coming, though.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
Shit! I had no clue what to get and three minutes to get it.
I quickly scanned the shelves in the walk-in cooler and flirted with a few sixers, but did not feel confident getting anything. On my way out, as I passed the wall of Belgian beers in the room temperature area, I almost decided to come back today. However, I hastily snatched this weekend’s brew and took it to the register. It was not the ideal beer buying situation, or decision, but it should prove to be a good choice in the end.
Moral of the story: John’s closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday.
The beer of the weekend is St. Bernardus Tripel, brewed by Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV of Watou, Belgium.
Serving type: Four 11.2-ounce (330 ml) bottles. The BEST BEFORE END date on the bottle is 260312. That’s March 26, 2012 for all of you who are date-month-year impaired. (Here’s an idea: why don’t all UN member nations adopt uniform measuring, dating, and paper sizing systems?)
Appearance: Straight pour into a tulip. The color is a cloudy, lemonade gold that has a little “dirty dishwater” tinge to it. Three fingers of white, billowy, beautiful head developed and dissipated slowly to leave a foamy spotted lacing.
Smell: Very spicy up front, though it is not off-putting. It is very sweet, as well. Orange citrus, bready yeast, banana, raisin, and a little bubblegum. It’s like spicy orange bubblegum. The alcohol sting also comes through as well.
Taste: Smooth and surprisingly subtle. The spices from the smell are present, but they take a backseat to the heaping of malts. This is truly liquid bread as it tastes like a multigrain loaf with hints of lemon zest, orange citrus, and pepper for spice. The alcohol is noticeable on the tail end of each sip, but it is nothing offensive.
Drinkability: High quality stuff. Though not overly complex, it is loveable, very tasty, and drinkable.
Fun facts about St.BT:
-Style: Tripel. This is what BA has to say:
The name “Tripel” actually stems from part of the brewing process, in which brewers use up to three times the amount of malt than a standard Trappist “Simple.” Traditionally, Tripels are bright yellow to gold in color, which is a shade or two darker than the average Pilsener. Head should be big, dense and creamy. Aroma and flavor runs along complex, spicy phenolic, powdery yeast, fruity/estery with a sweet finish. Sweetness comes from both the pale malts and the higher alcohol. Bitterness is up there for a beer with such a light body for its strength, but at times is barely perceived amongst the even balance of malts and hops. The lighter body comes from the use of Belgian candy sugar (up to 25% sucrose), which not only lightens the body, but also adds complex alcoholic aromas and flavors. Small amounts of spices are sometimes added as well.
Tripels are actually notoriously alcoholic, yet the best crafted ones hide this character quite evil-like and deceivingly, making them sipping beers.
-Price: $15.99/four-pack at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 46-50ºF. It was printed on the side and bottom of the carrier. That’s the way to do it, St. B!
-Alcohol content: 8 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: BA suggests Mediterranean cuisine, sharp cheeses (Blue, Cheddar), pungent cheeses (Gorgonzola, Limburger), pork, and poultry.
-The carrier advises drinkers to serve St.BT in “a goblet glass.” I planned to pick one up at The Glass House earlier today, since goblets are not bad to have around, but I had other stuff I needed to do. A goblet is coming, though.
The Quiet Man’s grade: A-.
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