Abbey tripels are triple fermented Belgian ales that are brewed by secular brewers all over the world in addition to some of the "authentic" Trappist (real Belgian monasteries) brewers. A style first concocted by the monks at Westmalle, tripels are golden to slight amber in color and normally display generous and showy heads and great lacing. Their aroma and flavor profiles are rich, strong, and complex, displaying yeasty, spicey (clove and/or peppery), fruity (e.g. oranges and bananas) and sometimes floral attributes. The addition of candi sugar and high carbonation keeps their bodies lighter than one might anticipate and the best examples hide the high alcohol presence quite well. While tripels can feature a sweetness, they - unlike the other abbey ales - are often hopped enough to add a somewhat balancing bitterness to the flavor.
