Bristol's Belgian-style Ale Tripel, Bristol Brewing Company, Colorado Springs

Style: Belgian-style Tripel Ale

ABV: 8.6 percent

Serving Type: 750-mL bottle

Malty? Hoppy? More on the malty side of things.

Reviewed: September 2012

As the third of four children, I suffer from a fair bit of middle-child syndrome and tend to detest sibling comparisons. Because of that, I shouldn't have tried Bristol's Belgian-style Ale Tripel on the same evening that I sampled the series' Dubbel (a damn good beer, but, well...).  

Where the Dubbel drinks like an Americanized Belgian-style beer, the Tripel is more subtle and refined. This brew reminds me of Belgium's windmills and fields of tulips and daffodils. It reeks—in a good way—of the promise that comes with spring and new beginnings. It pours a golden color with enough bubbles to remind you of Champagne, but the foamy head is creamy without being clingy. My only gripe: This brew is so similar to traditional Belgians that I worry it won't stand out when tasted alongside others. I think I just challenged myself to another taste-off. Oh, shucks. 

Would we buy it again? As soon as possible. 

Follow senior editor Natasha Gardner on Twitter at @natashajgardner or on Pinterest.