Beer of the Week: New Belgium Trippel

Beer score: 6.8

Company: New Belgium Brewing

ABV: 8.5
IBU: 43

In a clear glass this Colorado beer had a light brown look to in a little stronger than gold, perhaps a brass or even bronze color. The head held a little fizz but was not overly large, while the texture had pretty much the same feeling. Has a fairly strong malty smell to it that's quite nice.

The flavor, though, that's what you want to know about. There's a very slight sourness here reminiscent of IPA's but, I repeat, it's very slight, so don't be put off by that if you're not an IPA lover. The taste is somewhat strong, but not up to porter or stout levels. As for that taste, there's a lot going on here. There are hints of fruitiness but not sweetness with perhaps some clove, and I'd swear there's a touch of coriander. This beer tends towards the bitter side, but not strongly so, not enough to turn off the taster.

This is possibly the most complex of beers put out by the New Belgium folks, a company known for pretty good beers but not extravagant ones. If they keep making products such as this, they'll have a regular beer drinker in me.

And yes, I can recommend this one.