Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. Yes indeed, I think I will. And while I’m being one, I think I’ll also have a Monk’s Uncle….errr, a Pike Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale, that is. And who wouldn’t want one of these luscious, sinfully rich beauties after all? On top of that, I got my 22 ounce bottle for an astounding $3.99 at Total Wine, a truly unheard of price these days. Total Wine has an arrangement with Pike to distribute their beers (exclusively, it seems, as I don’t find them in any other stores here in Georgia).

Pike’s Monk’s Uncle is a Belgian Abbey Tripel in style, which is a strong, golden ale with notes of fruit and spice. Pike offers the following information on their website about the beer:

ALCOHOL VOLUME: 9.00%

MALT VARIETIES: Organic Pale, Organic Pils, Wheat, Aromatic

HOP VARIETIES: Nugget, Saaz

IBU (BITTER UNIT):  38

COLOR: Straw

YEAST: Belgian ale

AVAILABILITY: Year Round

I hung onto my bottle for a few years before drinking, as beers as strong and complex as a Belgian Abbey Tripel can easily withstand aging if properly stored.

Pike Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale pours to a cloudy golden color with a very light head formation (and that upon a vigorous pour) and a spicy coriander and fruit nose. Palate reveals fruity pineapple, very rich cotton candy, vanilla, licorice, and Belgian yeasty funk. The beer is quite spicy, as a good Tripel should be. A little alcohol burn comes through in the finish to dry a bit but a sweetness does come through. The beer seems quite boozy overall.

In sum, I find this to be a very nice Belgian-style Tripel, mine has held up quite well over the past two years. And did I mention I bought it for a mere $3.99? Oh yes, I did. Extra credit for that.

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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