Session 24: Allagash Tripel

I regret that this post is a little late (though it's still Friday here!), and that it's a little sketchy, as I really like when The Session is about actual styles rather than only tangentially related to beer topics. But, well, I'm a busy guy - apologies.

That said, Allagash are easily one of my favorite American Belgian-style breweries. While Ommegang has a special place in my heart for making beers that are extremely well-crafted and a great value (more true on the east coast, sadly), they don't tend to do much in the way of one-offs. Allagash does, and has made some wonderful beers outside of their standard line. Because of this, I've often neglected those standards, and being on the west coast where there beer is a little more expensive, I rarely indulge. But this Session seemed like a good opportunity to crack open their tripel and enjoy. Here are my notes:

Nose is a little musty*, with a hint of citrus. Round mouth, malt-sweet with a drier finish. A little yeast, but mostly that big blonde malt flavor. The 9% is pretty well-hidden. Drinkable, solid, satisfying. Nicely put together, if a little uncomplicated.

(* That mustiness might not be their fault. I picked this bottle up from a big warehouse beverage store, meaning it'd been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long, unrefrigerated.)

I do love a tripel, though, and this is usually a reliable bet. Here on the west coast, I might wait until it's on draft - but if you've got better, fresher access to it, it's worth picking up now and then.

(A final footnote: the original topic post did request that the beer be shared - "a tripel for two" - and I did indeed share it. Brittany's on record as being a fan of this beer, and Allagash in general, but had no specific comments she wanted to contribute.)