Ask me which country makes the best beer in the world and I have to say Belgium. The tripel beer is just one of many great styles that originate from that small, beer-loving nation.
So, what is a tripel beer, you ask?
Tripels originate from Belgium and are very strong beers, typically around 8-12%. Despite their high alcohol, a well crafted tripel/triple beer hides it well. They’re generally a light-medium yellow or golden colour with a dense and creamy head.
Tripel beers tend to be brewed with extra malt and are known to be very aromatic beers. They have a complex aroma and flavour profile ranging from sweet yeast to spicy fruits to bitter hops, but generally always finish dry.
This list of tripel beers includes nine superb tripels, many of which are ranked among the best in the world. Starting off the list at #10 is what I’d call a mediocre Belgian tripel, just to prove the point that not every beer made in Belgium is world-class.
#10 – Ename Tripel from Brouwerij Roman in Oudenaarde, Belgium
A tripel I had never heard of before. It pours with a white head that fades away fairly quickly but retains a lacy stickiness.
Smell is classic spicy and bitter yeast. Quite light in colour – typical for a tripel.
Taste is nice, there are spices and a bit of fruits mixing together, but nothing overly discernible. As a Tripel from Belgium it has all the right characteristics, but is somewhat dull without a unique or stand out aroma or taste.
It’s average for the style. Don’t get me wrong I fully enjoyed it, it just isn’t a show stopper.
Still far better than flavourless macro beers, perhaps a decent transition beer for someone getting into different beer styles.
#9 – Scaldis Triple Blonde Ale from Dubuisson in Pipaix, Belgium
Light, hazy yellow in colour it looks like a typical tripel, but wow this one packs a wallop of fruity aroma!
It’s a bit floral but big on fruit, smelling of sour grapefruits, lemons and bananas. It’s perhaps the most powerful aroma I’ve experienced with a Belgian tripel beer.
The head is lasting and clingy and once you try this big smelling beer you get a sourness of citrus and a blast of breadiness with some sweet, lingering pomegranate-like flavour. The yeast starts to show up after the bitterness, soaking through your taste buds and creating a nice, different twist on the usual bitter-sweet balance of tripel beers.
I really enjoyed this beer for being different than others in it’s style, but overall there was some underlying bitterness to it that just didn’t suit my personal preferences. Very well done and I’d be happy to drink again, but it won’t be the first (or second) Belgian tripel I’d choose.
Scaldis (Bush) Triple on Beeradvocate
Scaldis (Bush) Triple on RateBeer
#8 – St. Feuillien Triple from Brasserie St-Feuillien / Friart in Le Roeulx, Belgium
An insanely sendimental beer. Sendimental? Yes, as in the amount of yeast sediment in this big bottle was more than any other tripel I’ve seen. I’m usually one to swirl and pour in the sediment, but in this case it was too much so I kept it in the bottle.
A medium yellow colour on this tripel, it has a very long-lasting head with a pleasing, strong spicy aroma of coriander, with some citrus undertones.
Taste wise it had a rough edge on it, with an almost extreme upfront bitterness. That zesty, peppery kick mellowed out with some more bread and yeasty flavours afterwards.
Definitely a complex collection of smells and tastes with this well done tripel, just a bit too harsh to be my favourite. Will have to try it again with more ageing.
St. Feuillien Triple on Beeradvocate
St. Feuillien Triple on RateBeer
#7 – Dulle Teve (Mad Bitch) Tripel from De Dolle Brouwers in Diksmuide, Belgium
More orange brown in colour than the typical tripel yellow orange colouration, this is a very cloudy beer, courtesy of the yeasty sediment poured out from the bottle.
An off white head didn’t last long and this beer had the most acidic aroma of the tripels on this list.
Letting it settle and warm…this tastes more bready and lemony than the Scaldis. Lots of yeast and mixed spices too, a complex and cloudy beer.
Also the booziest tasting tripel on this entire list, so definitely a slow sipper of a beer. I wouldn’t recommend this as an introductory beer to the tripel style.
Dulle Teve Tripel on Beeradvocate
#6 – Affligem Tripel from Brouwerij Affligem / De Smedt in Opwijk, Belgium
A beautiful golden sunset colour of a beer, it really is amazing the variety of colouring and aromas that even this one style of beer has.
Definitely not the spiciest triple beer from Belgium, Affligem pours with a small head that maintains a thin layer until you’re done drinking.
There is a spicy aroma, mixed with some sweetness, like banana, but it is very light. One of the least aromatic tripels I’ve sampled, quite surprising how little aroma there was actually. With some effort, you can pick up a peppery note to this Belgian tripel on both aroma and taste.
Taste is quite grainy before changing to a malt sweetness. Not a ton of yeast in this one, which has a lingering sweetness before a dry finish.
Extremely smooth for a tripel. Nothing stands out in particular, for good or bad, a fine example of a Belgian tripel beer.
Affligem Tripel on Beeradvocate
#5 – St. Bernardus Tripel from St. Bernard Brouwerij in Watou, Belgium
A murky orange haze as you pour this beer. The colour is a bit darker than your typical tripel and the amount of head is less than expected.
Any head that forms from this St. Bernardus tripel is quickly dissipated as it is surprisingly carbonated.
An almost fruity wheat beer aroma comes off of this, with a bit of oranges and coriander. Although taste is very much yeast and a fine balance between sweet and sour spices.
Very aromatic and gives a great lingering flavour, slightly tangy. An enjoyable tripel full of complexity that offers a different aroma than other tripels.
St. Bernardus Tripel on Beeradvocate
St. Bernardus Tripel on RateBeer
#4 – Chimay White from Chimay in Baileux, Belgium
A frothy white, clingy head tops off this beer once poured. The Chimay tripel is yellow-orange in colour, appearing nicely translucent with subtle carbonation.
This Chimay smells fresh and yeasty, a very refreshing aroma.
There is a ginger and bubbly spice taste that balances well with the Belgian malt and yeast.
A great tripel that remains mostly subdued on flavour, but asserts itself enough to let you know you’re drinking a quality strong Belgian beer.
The drink-ability of this beer is scary, high marks all around.
#3 – Gouden Carolus Tripel from Brouwerij Het Anker in Mechelen, Belgium
First time I’ve tried this beer (ignoring some hazy nights from Belgium).
Very classic tripel aroma, extreme flowery, herbal, fresh apricots smell that helps hide the alcohol.
Big white head poured into a glass of mostly clear yellow beer. Only slightly opaque, this tripel isn’t as cloudy as some others.
The head is extremely clingy, still sticky when the beer is nearly done 30 minutes later.
Tastes very smooth for a tripel, there is some resiny and sour taste in the dry finish, but sweet upfront. Overall a bit spicy….without the strong yeast profile that some tripels can have. Great smell, great taste, one of my top tripels now.
Gouden Carolus Tripel on Beeradvocate
Gouden Carolus Tripel on RateBeer
#2 – Westmalle Tripel from Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle in Malle, Belgium
The first Belgian tripel that I ever had at home, more than a decade ago. It is also the first tripel I enjoyed when I was in Belgium.
It remains a thoroughly enjoyable beer either young, or with a few years of aging. A bit of a sentimental favourite you could say, it has a great golden haze to it, just translucent enough to appreciate the slight carbonation.
The pour creates a soapy, thick white head that never seems to fade away. The beer pops with banana and yeast aromas, accompanied by some hidden spiciness.
A flavourful, floral beer of medium sweetness, Westmalle fades to a yeasty finish with some lingering bitterness. Great mix of flavours to match the aroma.
Westmalle Tripel on Beeradvocate
#1 – Tripel Karmeliet from Brouwerij Bosteels in Buggenhout, Belgium
This is an explosive beer. Never having had a big corked bottle of Karmeliet before I didn’t quite expect so much action.
Upon opening, the bottle foamed up, spilling everywhere, filling an entire glass with head. A very lively beer!
After a few minutes to settle and a top up, it was time to enjoy. This was light in colour, similar to Chimay, but with a more intense spicy and citrus aroma perhaps cloves, maybe lemon zest, very complex.
Taste is big spice and coriander, bordering on a sour edge at times, very nice. The alcohol is present, but very well hidden on this easy drinking tripel.
My favourite tripel of all.
Tripel Karmeliet on Beeradvocate
Limiting this list to 10 was difficult, as I had to leave out some Belgian tripels that I thoroughly enjoy, such as Floreffe. Additionally, there are many Canadian and US brewers who produce solid tripel-style beers, such as La Fin du Monde from Unibroue. Perhaps I’ll share a non-Belgian tripels list one day in the future.
Until then, happy drinking and happy travels!