5 Seasons Classic Tripel

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Comes out of the tap a beautiful opaque golden-honey with a thick, off-white head - very inviting. Malty aroma has a buttery tone and a hint of hops. Flavor is rich, lively and malty with hints of butterscotch and hops and just a whisper of sweetness. Texture is fairly smooth, and it goes down the pipes with a lively and jazzy feel.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Labeled as Oblivion Tripel; One-liter bottle #158/180, March 2005 Bottle date; Sampled November 2007
When roused, the head forms a fat, one-finger thick, light tan colored head. The beer is quite hazy and forms an orange-tinted, almost pinkly hued, light reddish color when held up to the light, but is otherwise a drab, amber color. As I pour this I get quite a distinct aroma of fresh cut apples and this is quite persistent. As I go in for a deeper sniff of the aroma the apple notes remains the most prevalent aromatic note. Underneath this though is a touch of caramelized grain, touches of fruity, sherry-like oxidation, browned bread crust, a bit of brandy like fruit and alcohol warming, and in the finish a dry, toasted grain note reminiscent of soda crackers and fresh crushed pale malt.

Light feeling on the tongue and only lightly sweet. The carbonation, while not overwhelming, provides a persistent prickle that helps to lighten this beer a bit. Towards the early part of the finish some noticeable oxidation adds a touch of richness and sherry flavors. At this point though a green, almost herbal like, spiciness kicks in and this lingers on in the finish with a light bitterness and a mellowed / aged malt notes. The apple notes are also apparent in the flavor; I think that both the aroma and the flavor notes of apples have been contributed by the slight oxidation & age that this beer has picked up over time. Touches of malt character show up as a toasted grain flavor, hints of crushed soda crackers and of course a nice, lightly sweet malt character that at times, in combination with the yeast character, leans towards some sort of fruity honey-varietal.

Not a bad example of a Tripel; this is really an understatement as it is quite enjoyable and drinkable. I like that it remains fairly dry; it of course has a nice malt sweetness to it, like a good Tripel should. I could wish for a bit more spiciness & I am actually a little surprised that the oxidation / age is as noticeable as it is after only 2.5 years. Having said that though, the oxidation character, for the most part, only adds a complexity and depth; though I am sure the beer has lost some of its fresh piquancy from when it was first bottled.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Poured a hazy amber color with a small, off white head that left nice lacing on the glass. Aroma of green apples, cherries, toffee, light spices, and citrus fruits. Taste of much of the same, it was yeasty, with light alcohol popping through in the end.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 6 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

Thanks to Bert for this one and the time to have a few together. Pours initially with a nice head with fair retention. Aroma is heavy alcohol and some spicing. The flavor was caramel, especially as it warmed, apples/cider, other light fruits, and with a yeasty (perhaps hoppy too) bitter finish. Again, alcohol was pretty sharp,the biggest downfall of this beer. Medium mouthfeel with average carbonation. An enjoyable beer, but not a star.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

First came the Dubbel, and now that the GA law has changed they release this monster of a beer. An orange apperance with a large head. The flavor is quite yeasty and acidic. A good sour lemon backbone rounded out with a nice spice kick. I didnt enjoy as much as the Dubbel but this is a fine beer.