Brouwerij Van Steenberge ‘Bornem’ Tripel

Rating:

“Bornem Tripel is a powerful beer to be enjoyed as an aperitif or dessert. Often taken with mussels and other seafood. This abbey beer is also an excellent accompaniment to a hearty cheese platter.”

Glassware: Trappist tulip.

Appearance: Slightly hazy burnished orange with a thumb of finely beaded head perched on top. Excellent retention and healthy lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Very traditional but also quite complex. The classic sweet honey malt leads out with the Belgian yeast esters following close behind. Lots of banana, mixed spice, ground coriander, tangy orange citrus etc. It exudes a certain dry musty-ness akin to Saison. A hint of orchard fruits, honeysuckle and bubblegum to fill it out. Smells the foods thus far.

Flavour: It definitely carries the complexity over from the nose. Showing its hop profile with a lot more energy too – grassy, herbal and spicy notes upfront which blend nicely in to the ensuing sweet and grainy malts. Not until later in the piece does the yeast and fruity aspects come in to play but when they do they bring pear/apple, banana, yeasty spice and wheat grains.

Mouthfeel: Fairly light and well aerated. Pretty smooth, mild-medium body with a light sparkle. The 9% ABV was a surprise…very well concealed.

Overall: In our opinion it’s less appealing than other releases such as Augustijn or Gulden Draak but it does hold its own. Expect a fairly conventional Tripel but don’t expect to be blown away.