Name: Tripel Reserve

Brewer: Allagash

Style: Tripel

Vintage: 2007

Cellared On: June 29th, 2007

Original Tasting: July 6th, 2007

Since I can count the number of Belgian-style beers I’ve had on one hand, I’m hardly qualified to review a beer like this. I’m having a hard time finding the words to describe the taste of this brew. It has a light, fruity taste with what I thing is a nice yeasty zing. It’s very dry, not sweet at all. I didn’t taste much of the alcohol, which I’ve since found out is one of the hallmarks of a well-made tripel. Very easy and refreshing to drink.

Six-Month Tasting: December 22nd, 2007

What the hell was I drinking six months ago?

Could this beer’s sweetness level change that much in six months? I found this beer very sweet, with a honey/candy like quality to the sweetness. I suspect my palette may have been a bit off when I first tried this beer, I just can’t see the flavor moving so dramaticly over just six months time.

Otherwise, the beer was much the same as in my first review. There was a nice yeasty/fruity armoa (maybe a touch of lemon in the air). Slight biscuity malt taste with a subtle spiciness on the sweet finish.

One Year Tasting: June 26th, 2008

I’m really confused now.

This brew was more like the first one I tasted - not too sweet at all. I really don’t know what’s happening here. I don’t think this beer could drop in sweetness so dramatically over six months. Did I grab some beers from different vintages when I first purchased this batch? I may have to buy a whole new bunch and start this whole tasting over.

In any case THIS beer was very fruity in smell, and fruity up front in taste as well. The fruity esters didn’t seem quite as “bright” as before, I get the distinct feeling this brew is starting to show its age. Sugar candy malt (but not too sweet) kicks in pretty quick and dominates the fruity flavors. That malty flavor rides out the finish. There’s was also a faint bitterness throughout this brew.

Cellar Outlook: This is a bottle-conditioned, high alcohol (9%) beer made in a style that naturally lends itself to cellaring. This should be liquid gold in a few years.

Six month outlook notes - I don’t know what’s happening here at all. I would expect the sweetness to subside somewhat as the yeast continue to do their thing in the bottle. I expect yeasty/spicy flavors to continue to get stronger, and maybe a creamier mouthfeel to emerge.

One year outlook notes - Beats me! I would assume the esters will continue to fade. I think this brew’s best days are done, but nothing would surprise me now.

Next Tasting: June 2009