New Heights Belgian Tripel

I want triple the fun. I'm willing to bet that New Heights is going to get me triple the fun. These guys have been pretty good so far, and I'm just going to keep trying what they put out. Maybe it's the fact that I'm so close to these local breweries that I enjoy their beer so much, or maybe it's just that they're really good. Fact is, not all of them are great, but New Heights is definitely one of the better ones.

The very hazy golden beer has a very nice, frothy top that is just about the right size. It's that way straight out of the bottle, and the bubbles keep coming to the surface to maintain that perfect head. The aroma is Belgian yeast and wet, doughy bread. There are spices lingering, but they are undefinable and effervescent.

First sip is a bit tart, sour, bitter, and yeasty. I have to say, the sip isn't brilliant. It's got a lot of the components of a good beer, but they are a mess. Why do I need any sour in this? What's the tart supposed to be telling me? Am I reading too much into what my beer is supposed to tell me? Maybe I should just swig.

Tip-in is carbonation fire with the yeast, light spices, and some of the aerosolized flour from the bready dough. The middle is where the dough and the light hops join the yeast and spices to lounge around the middle of the mouth. The finish is dry, and the yeast turns to a bit of banana for the yeast-filled trail off.

Bottom Line: The Belgian yeast is a bit much, but it all evens out with the swig.

2.5/5