The term “Belgian tripel” is derived from the Trappist brewing tradition of using a three-stage brewing process. This traditional method was established by Belgian Abbey breweries in the 17th century and involves the use of Pilsner malt, aroma hops, and sugar.
The result is a higher gravity beer that is typically light-colored, fruity, and somewhat sweet with a complex flavor. The process of triple-decoction yields a beer with a full-bodied flavor and a higher alcohol content.
This style of beer originated in the Trappist breweries of Belgium and continues to define the Belgian brewery culture today.
The origin of the name “tripel” is believed to be related to the use of three malts in the brewing process, which creates a higher gravity beer with a higher alcohol content than other beers. Additionally, another explanation is that the term “tripel” was derived from the single, double and triple strength beers prepared for special occasions within the monastries.
The traditional Tripel is a balanced and complex beer that has stood the test of time for hundreds of years and continues to be one of the cornerstones of the Belgian brewing culture.
What is a Belgium tripel beer?
A Belgium tripel beer is a type of Belgian beer that is made according to European beer standards. It typically has an ABV of around 8% and is known for it’s light yellow, subtly sweet flavor. Tripel beers are typically light bodied and highly drinkable, with a lingering malt sweetness.
This makes them a great accompaniment to a wide range of food. Common Belgian tripel beers include Tripel Karmeliet, Westmalle Tripel, and Achel 8. Tripel beers are usually hoppier than other Belgian styles, but still exhibit a lot of the dried fruit and spice aromas that Belgian beer is known for.
Tripel Karmeliet, for instance, an amber-yellow colored beer, can be enjoyed with dishes like mussels, eaten in the country that’s native to its production. When it comes to flavor and aroma, Belgian tripel beer is considered to be one of the top choices for beer enthusiasts, providing intense flavor with a complexity and well-balanced character.
What is the difference between a Belgian Dubbel and tripel?
The primary distinction between Belgian Dubbel and Tripel is the strength of the beer. Dubbel is a dark-colored, strong abbey-style ale that is usually in the range of 6.5-7.5% alcohol by volume (ABV), while Tripel is a golden-colored ale that is usually in the range of 8-9.5% ABV.
In terms of ingredients and brewing techniques, Dubbels are typified by sweet, malty characters, and are usually spiced with a variety of herbs and spices, such as coriander, orange peel and licorice.
Tripels are made with the same ingredients, but the proportions of each ingredient are altered to accentuate the sweet, malty character, while allowing a subtle spiciness to come through.
In terms of taste and texture, Dubbels have a full body and medium-low to medium bitterness, while Tripels have a light to medium body and low to medium bitterness. Both styles have a light to moderate hop character, but Tripels tend to be more subtly spiced and have slightly more complexity.
How is a Belgian Tripel made?
A Belgian Tripel is a type of strong golden ale originating from Belgium. It is meant to be strong, sweet and complex. It is brewed using a combination of pale malts and candy sugar in order to achieve the desired level of intensity in both flavor and alcohol content.
Traditional Belgian Tripels typically contain anywhere between 7-9% ABV. They are also brewed using classic Belgian yeasts, which contribute a unique flavor profile, as well as spices such as lemon and orange peel, coriander and grains of paradise, which add additional complexity.
The resulting beer tends to be strong, complex and fairly sweet. The sweetness is often balanced by a substantial hop bitterness. Belgian Tripels are known for their cloudy orange color, medium-full body and creamy head.
They are often refermented in the bottle, giving them naturally high levels of carbonation.
What makes a beer a triple?
A beer can be referred to as a “triple” when it contains a higher volume of alcohol than typical beers. While most beers contain 5-7% ABV (alcohol by volume), a triple is typically 8-10% ABV. This increased alcohol content is achieved by adding more malt or leaving the beer in the fermentation tank longer.
Triple beers are often Belgian-style ales that have a sweet flavor and a cloudy appearance. These beers are usually full-bodied and complex yet surprisingly drinkable despite the higher alcohol content.
Of course, stronger beer styles such as Imperial IPAs and Barleywines can also be referred to as triple, as these beers can easily reach ABV levels of 10-15%.
Triple beers are a great way for craft beer enthusiasts to enjoy a beverage with greater depth and complexity than your traditional lagers, without the boozy and bitter aftertaste of some more extreme beers.
What does Belgian Tripel taste like?
Belgian Tripel is a classic Belgian style of beer, usually strong in alcohol and pale in color. It has a full, creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor. It is often brewed with Pilsner or pale malts and wheat, and hopped with Saaz or Hallertau hops.
The aromas are usually fruity, spicy, herbal, and complex. The taste has strong notes of banana and bubblegum, along with a subtle, toasty flavor and hints of clove and other sweet spices. The sweetness is balanced by a slight bitterness, which gives the beer a pleasant dry finish.
As a whole, Belgian Tripel is a refreshing, smooth beer that is full of flavor.
What is the ingredients in a Belgian beer?
There is a wide range of traditional Belgian beers, each having its own unique flavor and ingredients due to the various factors such as location, climate, and type of brewing process. Generally, beers brewed in the Belgian tradition will include a combination of malted barley and un-malted grain, hopped with traditional European hop varieties, yeast, and brewing sugars.
The grain and hop profiles tend to be more robust than what is used in other countries, giving Belgian beers a unique earthy aroma and flavor. Compared to other beers, Belgian beers may use higher alcohol levels and darker malts, and may also use additives such as spices, fruits, sugars, or other flavorings.
Some Belgian-style beers such as lambic may also undergo spontaneous fermentation, which is not common in other beers. Additionally, the ingredients used in Belgian beers may vary depending on the specific style of beer being brewed.
Why is Belgium beer so good?
Belgium beer is renowned for its unique, complex and flavorful taste. This is mostly attributed to Belgian brewers adhering to traditional styles and methods, as well as the high quality of ingredients used.
Unlike many other countries, Belgian brewers are governed by strict guidelines which dictate what ingredients and brewing techniques can be used. Compared to other beers, Belgian beer is brewed using higher quality malts and hops, giving it a richer flavor and aroma.
Belgian beers also use ingredients such as spices and fruit, which gives additional complexity and depth to the flavor. Additionally, various brewing styles produce a huge range of different beers, from light session ales to dark, flavorful stouts and porters.
Belgian brewers also take great care to craft their beers, often taking a long amount of time and paying close attention to detail. This results in beers with unique and refined flavors, making them some of the best in the world.
What is Trippel Ale?
Trippel Ale is a classic Belgian-style ale that has been brewed in Belgium for centuries. It is a strong, golden-colored ale with a strong alcohol kick and a characteristic spicy flavor. The aroma of Trippel Ale is fruity, with hints of bubblegum and clove, and the flavor is malty and sweet, with a distinct bitterness from the hops.
Generally, the alcohol content of Trippel Ale is around 8%, although it can vary depending on the brewer. It typically has low carbonation and is served cold. Trippel Ale is typically used as an aperitif, pairing well with salty cheeses, fried seafood dishes, and spicy curry dishes.
How many calories are in a New Belgium Trippel?
A 12 oz bottle of New Belgium Trippel contains 220 calories. New Belgium Trippel is an 8.5 percent ABV Belgian-style tripel ale brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. It is a full-bodied and Belgian-style ale that features smooth, fruity, and spicy flavors and aromas that are blended with caramel malts and noble hops for a slight bitterness and a dry finish.
The notes of banana, clove, and subtle spices are balanced by a light bitterness that compliments the malty sweetness. Drinkers can enjoy the complex and unique flavors that combine with the high alcohol content to create a unique and flavorful beer.