BEER REVIEW: 384

BREWER: Brouwerj Bosteels, East Flanders, Belgium 

STYLE: Tripel

ABV: 8.4%

VESSEL: 33cl brown bottle

DATE OF POST: 14th February 2025

 

SAMMY SAY’S…

Tripel Karmeliet is a solid but somewhat average Belgian tripel, delivering a familiar profile without pushing any boundaries.

Pleasant banana esters are present on the nose, although they not particularly complex.  This is potentially one of the most interesting aspects of this beer.  I have to say, banana and beers don’t often mix well together but on this occasion the nose kind of works.

The taste leans heavily on floral notes, which may appeal to some but feels a bit excessive for my preference. While it’s smooth and easy to drink for its ABV, it lacks depth and complexity, making it somewhat forgettable compared to other tripels.

Overall, Tripel Karmeliet does the job, but it doesn’t stand out. While its floral profile might win over some drinkers, I found it a bit overpowering. The balance and drinkability are its strong suits, but it doesn’t quite reach the complexity that makes for a truly exceptional tripel.

Sammy’s Rating: 62%

 

JYMI SAY’S…

You kinda know when you embark on a Belgian that you’re gonna get a solid brew in you, though of course they’re not always belters, but very rarely do you get a bad Belge.

TK falls into the not a belter but OK bracket.

But let’s start on a huge positive. The nose is spectacular, quite subtle but spectacular, nonetheless. This does lure you into thinking the beer is going to be spectacular also, so ultimately from the whiff, disappointment is only just around the corner. For a whopping 8.4%er TKs body is oddly thin and for me the beer is also over carbonated. These two things without doubt lower the flavour intensity resulting in the yeah not bad but mind drift. There is a bananaesqe mouthfeel and flavour to this tripel as well as all of your usual characteristics from the Belgian yeast.

When all is said and done, though TK is perfectly drinkable, there are way better Trips out there so I would go search them out if I were you rather than taking on board this unfortunately pretty average brew.

Jymi’s Rating: 64%

 

MUSE ON BOOZE RATING: 63%

MOB review next weekend: GUNNERS GOLD by LOOSE CANNON BREWERY

Sammy & Jymi – Musing on Booze weekly since 2017

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