“Oilsjtersen tripel – The figure of Ondineke and the use of Aalst hops made the City of Aalst choose this beer as a city beer.”

Glassware: Trappist Chalice.

Appearance: Hazy golden orange complexion with a super fizzy three finger head which actually retains surprisingly well. Lots of thick blotchy lace decorates the sides of the glass as we imbibe.

Aroma: Seemingly well balanced with all the ingredients coming together nicely. Quite a hoppy little number – floral, herbaceous and spicy. A flutter of lemon zest and then moving into the yeast-driven orchard fruits like apples/pear and white grapes. Picking up hints of hay/straw, dried grass, earthy notes, candi sugars and banana runts also. Nice biscuity malt profile binding it all together. Very nice.

Flavour: It has that dry and effervescent champagne vibe going on. Candi sugars and semi sweet malts upfront. The grassy and floral hops are quite distinct here too…adding some earthy-ness and bitterness as it rolls into the somewhat grainy, hay and straw-filled mid palate. Orchard fruits, white pepper and clove rounding out the bone dry finish.

Mouthfeel: Effervescent, dry and aerated with light-moderate body. The 8.5% ABV is neatly tucked away.

Overall: Another respectable Tripel from another completely unknown Belgian brewery. Much drier and carbonated than what we’re used to but we’re still digging it.