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Trade Winds Tripel
Placentia, California
BJCP Category: 21A Spice, Herb, Vegetable
The Bruery <visit site>
42
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[expand]Total Score: 43/50
Very drinkable. The underlying Tripel is very good and the subtle use of Thai Basil works harmoniously with this well-made beer. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Peppery phenols with medium fruity fermentation esters and noticeable alcohol are perceived initially. Little to no hop aroma; however, some of the spiciness may be from the choice of hops. Complex and inviting Tripel characteristic aroma. No DMS. No diacetyl. Clean pilsner malt undertones support the yeast contributions. Any distinctive basil aroma escaped me initially but showed up as the beer warmed a bit. Still the basil is masked by the yeast byproducts for the most part. (10/12)
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Appearance: Golden color. Quite hazy, somewhat OK for an ale and the style but excessively so, almost like a weizen. Big, moussy head with excellent, long-lasting retention. (2/3)
Flavor: Complex flavor consisting of soft pilsner maltiness, fermentation esters, spicy phenols and a pleasant, mild herbal taste of basil. Medium hop bitterness. No distinctive hop flavor but spiciness may be both yeast derived phenols and contributed by hops. Alcohol is noticeable and assertive but not harsh at all. No DMS. No diacetyl. Well balanced with a moderately dry finish. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a lighter mouthfeel due to high carbonation. Some alcohol warming; the alcohol is deceptive. Smooth, soft palate. (5/5)
Overall Impression: Very drinkable. The underlying Tripel is very good and the subtle use of Thai Basil works harmoniously with this well-made beer. One can easily imagine this beer served with a pad Thai, red curry or coconut-chicken soup. Yummy! I would just have liked to have enjoyed greater aroma of basil in addition to the flavor. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 43/50
The underlying Tripel is quite nicely garnished with the distinct and exotic herbal, citrus spice flavors of Thai basil. more >
[close]Total Score: 43/50
Aroma: Pear and sweet cherry esters with notes of caramelized sugar malt character; pepper and clove spice and hint of herbs with lemon juice. Malt character fades as the beer sits, giving way to the lighter fruit characteristics. (8/12)
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Appearance: Deep golden with a slight haze; creamy, pearly foam of the palest gold persists to the end, lacing the sides of the glass as the volume dissipates. (3/3)
Flavor: Intensely fruity with Comice pear and Queen Anne cherries, and herbal spiciness of ginger, key lime and lemon citrus qualities of Thai basil. Fruity esters yield to light caramel malt flavor, evoking the same caramelized sugar character found in the aroma. Midway, the malt is sweet, but balanced with a light hop bitterness that lingers in the finish, followed by the reemergence of the spicy basil. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a fluffy effervescence that sort of expands without being prickly; very light astringency accentuates a clean finish, with a bit of alcohol warming that lingers afterward, creating a pleasing “snuggly” sensation. (5/5)
Overall Impression: The underlying Tripel is quite nicely garnished with the distinct and exotic herbal, citrus spice flavors of Thai basil. Rice doesn’t seem to add character, but rather seems to lighten the caramel malt flavors that might otherwise be out of character for the base style. Complex enough to complement a spicy Indian or Thai meal, and quite refreshing, but would be equally enjoyable on a warm Sunday afternoon with a picnic on the grass. (9/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
I like the interplay between the malt and the yeast character, although the alcohol is not as subtle as in most classic examples of the Tripel style. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: The beer was highly carbonated, and took a while for the head to settle down enough to detect anything other than carbonic acid. Pleasant honey notes were the first to emerge, along with peppery and light clove notes. I also pick up some tropical fruit esters. There are some interesting earthy and minty notes that could be from the Thai basil, but I would not have made the connection had I judged this beer completely blind. (10/12)
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Appearance: There is some yeast head due to the sediment being roused by the effluence of carbonation when the bottle was opened. The golden color is to style, and the tightly beaded white head has impressive retention. (3/3)
Flavor: There is a good balance between the malt sweetness and the fermentation character, but the alcohol is a bit too assertive for the Tripel style. The malt lends some nice honey and biscuit notes, while the alcohols, esters and phenols provide complex vanilla and peppery notes. There are additional earthy, floral and perhaps licorice notes from the Thai basil. The rice is not apparent. The spices from the yeast and basil work synergistically with the hops to yield an apparent bitterness in the medium-high range.
Mouthfeel: Great carbonation and conditioning, even though the beer was dangerously close to gushing. The astringency and alcoholic warmth are both a little higher than desirable for the Tripel style. (3/5)
Overall Impression: I like the interplay between the malt and the yeast character, although the alcohol is not as subtle as in most classic examples of the Tripel style, so stylistically it seems closer to a Belgian Golden Strong. The use of Thai basil is a nice touch, but it was a little difficult to pick out among the peppery phenols from the yeast and may have been a factor in the somewhat high apparent bitterness in the finish.(8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 44/50
A very good tripel. Nicely dry and complex, with well-integrated flavors. The basil is subtle but noticeable, and adds an interesting, complementary flavor dimension. more >
[close]Total Score: 44/50
Aroma: Spicy, alcohol, Pils malt, some sharpness from alcohol, light phenols. Moderate fruit. Fairly complex aroma. Light honey or sugary sweetness. Malt builds as it warms. Spicy quality is nice, although not distinctly identified as basil. The spicy quality of the alcohol and yeast mix with the basil. (10/12)
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Appearance: Tall, frothy white head. Big bubbles, rocky head, didn’t persist too well. Quite hazy. Nice yellow-gold color. (2/3)
Flavor: Grainy-malty but dry. Pils malt flavor initially, a little honey-like. Moderate bitterness. Thai basil comes out toward the finish and lasts into the aftertaste—very interesting. Low hop flavor allows the basil to be noted. Light phenolics, moderate fruit. Well-integrated, complex flavors. Dry impression, aided by the alcohol. The basil is apparent but in the background. (18/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-light body. High carbonation. Warming but not overly hot. Not astringent or creamy. (5/5)
Overall Impression: A very good tripel. Nicely dry and complex, with well-integrated flavors. The basil is subtle but noticeable, and adds an interesting, complementary flavor dimension. Seems fairly fresh. Lacks common tripel faults (sweet, hot, boozy, banana bomb, etc.). Quite enjoyable. Might be a touch young and yeasty. (9/10)
