“The triple blond is both simple and complex. Its initial simplicity, with an easy approach that releases a sweet zest is quickly complemented by a bitterness that runs to the back of the mouth. Complex, with its raw ingredients clashing a little like cannon shots, but each tastier than the last, with alternating bitter hops and the flexibility of its malt, gives this Waterloo beer the taste of victory.”

Glassware: Trappist tulip.

Appearance: Deep golden amber pour with two fingers of fluffy white head perched on top. It eventually forms a thick collar with sudsy lace work left in its wake.

Aroma: Man this has got some good uplift out of the glass. With one or two light swirls it releases an abundance of semi sweet, spicy and fruity yeast esters along with orange peel/zest, fresh herbs like sage and coriander, ripe nectarine, boiled candy and red flowers like roses, hibiscus etc. It has a sweet honey malt structure to it. Wouldn’t go as far as saying caramel but it’s definitely chewy.

Flavour: Similar to the Dubbel in that its dryness is somewhat unexpected. The high Co2 also adds to that as well. The hallmark Tripel flavours of crisp and fresh herbs, orange peel and spice dominate upfront and shift nicely through the slightly phenolic mid palate. It finishes strong – fruity, yeasty, spicy, some malt sweetness to balance it out.

Mouthfeel: Champagne-esque texture, medium-high Co2, moderately bodied. The 8% ABV is well behaved for its size.

Overall: Not the best interpretation we’ve had but it’s still clearly a Belgian-brewed Tripel and that is certainly distinguishable. Good but not great.