Generally speaking, I enjoy the beers I get from Belgium. They use that particular Belgian yeast to produce some of the most fantastic beers I've ever had. I will admit that this particular beer sat in my fridge waiting to be consumed for longer than average. The reason I put this off so long was because it said it was a raspberry trippelbock, and it's very difficult to produce a beer using berries that is well-balanced. Also, brewers that use berries tend to go for sour beer styles, and I've been burned by too many beers that don't put stuff on the labels. I nevertheless, opened my fridge, opened my beer, and opened my blog to write the review.
It has been a while since I've had a trippelbock, and I forgot just how dark these beers are. This is as black and murky as a stout, and the bubbles are similarly minuscule and off-white. There is no mistaking the fact that this has raspberries in it, though, as the aroma of raspberries is discernible from a foot away. In fact, I can't even smell those Belgian yeasts that I love so much lingering under all that raspberry.First sip, and this is not good. It is somewhat sour, somewhat tart, quite raspberry, and generally unpleasant. Right now, I'm contemplating whether I should continue this review or simply pour the rest of this beer down the drain and get something good out of the fridge. Look, life is hard for everybody right about now and this isn't going to improve my evening or life. However, I paid good money for this, and I may as well see if a swig can salvage anything. Wish me luck.
Tip-in is sour berries, earth, and a submarining tartness. The middle has some depth to it, and it brings more earth and grains to the mix, but I never get a sense of those yeasts before the raspberry just dominates everything. The finish is unsurprisingly very raspberry with sourness and tartness taking over and pushing for the trail off.
Bottom Line: There is a reason that this waited my fridge so long.
0.25/5