I recently tried Bentonville Brewing Co’s Grand Cru Belgian Tripel Ale. I’m not very experienced with tripel, but I do like Bentonville Brewing’s offerings.
Tripel style beer is usually a strong pale ale. The name is thought to come from the “X” markings on a cask that indicated how strong the beer was:
- X = weak ABV
- XX = medium ABV
- XXX = strongest ABV
We don’t know the exact origin of the term, but we think it goes back to the 1930’s in the lowland countries like Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark. We do know that the first ones to make a Tripel were Trappist monks in Europe.
I wasn’t able to pick up on the fruitiness, but I could taste the spice and malt. The bitterness on the end was, indeed, cut by the subtle hint of honey, too.
From the brewery:
A Belgian Tripel style ale brewed with a special Belgian Abbey yeast, Pilsner malt and Cascade and Saaz hops for a spiced and fruity flavor balanced by soft hints of honey. It’s a big bodied beer at 8% ABV.
