Bornem Tripel
Review Date 11/5/2005
Try? Re-buy?
So there I was
drinking a bottle of Bornem Triple. And suddenly it struck me: why
don’t triples come in three packs? They do say some things come in threes,
after all, and I’m thinking triples should be one of them. I’ve never seen a
three-pack of triples, so I decided to make my own.
I’d like to say that I got the idea because Bornem Triple is such a
wonderfully Earth-shattering brew that I was inspired. That a higher power
directed me this way. But I can’t say that. Really, I just happened to have
three different bottles of Triples in my DBR (Dedicated Beer Refrigerator).
And so we’re here. First, a little about Bornem Triple. The beer is brewed
in Belgium by Brouwerij Van Steenberge and is based on a recipe concocted in
a monastery. So if you think alcohol and religion are mutually exclusive,
you’re very, very wrong. They key is moderation, as in all things.
Of course, Bornem Triple is not very moderate at 9% alcohol by volume. So
you really shouldn’t drink more than one or two of them at any one sitting.
Bornem Triple is an abbey ale, brewed for the Abbey of St. Bernard in Bornem,
Flanders. This is not the same as a Trappist ale, which is actually brewed
by monks.
This is a style that will usually age out quite nicely over the years,
thanks to the higher alcohol content. I am a big fan of triples (and
doubles, too, for that matter). So let’s get right down to the one at hand.
Bornem Triple pours to a golden orange color with a light creamy head
formation and a soft, fruity nose. I poured mine into a bowl-shaped Trappist
drinking glass. The wide mouth allows you to fully enjoy the lofty aromas
that rise from the glass.
It’s also important to let the beer warm a bit before drinking. Serving this
style (and most others) too cold will prevent you from enjoying its full
complexity. And there is much here to be savored, indeed.
Fruit is the first thing that hits you, strong notes of apple and pear and
perhaps a hint of pineapple. The soft malt body slides across your tongue
with a luxuriant richness, and you soon pick up yeasty, musty notes of
Belgian yeast character and sugary rock candy flavors.
In the finish, there’s just the faintest hint of hops and a big dash of
warming alcohol. This makes Bornem Triple a great nightcap beer.
Overall, I love this one. It’s very complex and very delicious. Perfect for
a nightcap or a before or after dinner drink.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.