Have you had Duvel Tripel Hop before? No you haven’t, if you haven’t had the latest edition of Duvel Tripel Hop. That’s because the brewery changes the recipe on this each year, switching out one of the three hop varieties used and introducing a new one. I bought a crown-corked 750 ML bottle of Duvel Tripel Hop in late 2010, and only got around to drinking it a few years later.

My bottle says it was brewed on May 18^th, 2010, which was my dad’s birthday; Dad, this beer is for you. Saaz-Saaz, Amarillo, and Styrian Goldings hops are added to the boil, then the beer is dry hopped on Styrian Goldings for good measure. Alcohol content is an impressive 9.5% by volume.

This is indeed a beer for a special occasions, and I popped my bottle on March 14^th for my 49^th birthday. Sadly I haven’t been able to find any of the subsequent releases. From what I understand, however, Duvel only started mixing up the hops in 2012, so I only need to find a few releases.

For 2013, Duvel replaced the Amarillos with Sorachi Ace hops, which should be interesting indeed. See my review of Brooklyn Sorachi Ace for more on that rare variety. Sorachi Ace hops are used for dry hopping, too.

Duvel Triple Hop with three years age pours to a cloudy yellow orange color with a massive cauliflower head formation and a promising nose of tropical fruits and grassy herbs. Taking a sip, the beer has a light malty body up front with a creeping Belgian funk yeastiness ala classic Duvel. Deceptively smooth and drinkable like a good triple should be. Cotton candy and pineapple are apparent, along with a hint of licorice and white pepper, all followed by a deeply herbal hoppiness, grassy and minty reminiscent of Orval. A light bitterness and alcohol warmth balance the beer nicely. This is definitely a sipping beer, and a very nice one indeed.

The herbal grassiness of the Saaz are telling, and the dry hopping is apparent too with beaucoup hop aroma and flavor. It is a bit pricey (I paid $12.99 for my bottle at Sherlock’s in Marietta, Georgia) but definitely worth it.

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

 



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