Monks eh? They've got a flippin' racket going on. Only 7 Trappist breweries exist in the world. One isn't in Belgium (it's in the Netherlands) and another you can't really buy from unless you really make an effort (the size of the effort depends on where you live). So the 5 accessible Belgian Trappist breweries lay claim to a large portion of a market that sells itself on tradition and religious affiliation. I'm sure that many a pious deed is completed with the money made but is the beer any good?
I'm returning to Westmalle beer, one of the first Trappists I tried. Their Dubbel to me was the blueprint to which all others were referenced. Surprisingly to me, a lot surpassed it and I now don't really bother with it unless I'm in a bar where it presents itself as the only thing worth buying (not often). It's no bad beer but unexciting. So I move on to their Tripel today to see if that can offer joy.
It's a mildly cloudy and very pale beer with a typical Belgian head; something which can be coaxed into excitement if desired. It's got fizz to give but not too much.
Aromatically, it's got a strong banana side to it to start with. There's a suggestion of allspice too but not a lot going on. Booze comes through to be honest. At 9.5% you'd think I shouldn't be surprised but I do find myself commenting how many Belgian beers seem a lot smoother and tamer than they actually are, but not in this case. It hits you in the face.
Taste-wise, there's nothing earth-shattering here (unless you forgot to check the strength on the label and your nose is broken) as alcohol once shows its tactless face. And not a lot else above that. It's pale and sweetish.
The aftertaste is impressively long. The bitterness goes on and on. And on. It's about 40% hops and 60% alcohol influenced.
The 9.5% steals the show here and doesn't leave much else to show its face. Which is a bit of a shame really as I really want to like Westmalle. There's something very uncomplicated and genuine about the way they present themselves but unfortunately neither of their beers are worth shouting about. Unless you're shouting 'make your ruddy beers better!'
If you're into your blonde beers and really want to try a Belgian Trappist then you've pretty much got Achel and that's it. Luckily, it's very good and worth a go. There is of course the Dutch Trappists, La Trappe, who offer a Blonde, Dubbel, Tripel, Quadruple and Witbier. It's been too long since I've tried them to comment but I remember enjoying them.
On other fronts, Rochefort is always excellent but dark and murky, Orval may be your cup of tea but not mine. Chimay is very unimpressive. Of course, there's the exquisite Westvleteren but you'll do well to find it (but do read my post on it, 'The Holy Grail').
The moral of this story is, if you want excellent Belgian beer, it doesn't have to be Trappist. That just means monks are involved (perhaps sometimes in place of brewers).
Westmalle Tripel - 5
http://www.trappistwestmalle.be/en/page/tripel.aspx
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