Wow. THREE blondes? Wait - that's not how that works. No, this is a proper tripel, and I have an exaggerated idea of how good a tripel is. I guess I remember the really, really good tripels, and I forget that most of them are around the great range, and there's certainly nothing wrong with a great beer. However, I always imagine they are at the top of that range, not the bottom.
Yup, that's a blonde ale. The head is sticking to the sides of the glass incredibly well, and I'm loving it. This might actually leave lacing for me. The aroma is sweet and yeasty. Flowers are blossoming, and citrus has been spritzed. It smells great, and I'm pretty sure my spouse would say it, "smells like beer."
Bottom Line: A spark of joy.
First sip is sweet and grainy malt with flowers and just a hint of citrus, so just what I expected. I thought the 8% ABV would be a little more intrusive, but it doesn't really make this much more of a lift than most other blondes. I confess that blondes are not my favorite beer, but they aren't something I shun.
Tip-in is sweet and floral with a light honey backing it (no carbonation, really). The middle runs in with a smooth, silky, and sweet slurry of a beverage that is more enjoyable than most other blondes have been, in my experience. The finish is a strange hit of bitter, dry, wine, alcohol, and flowers. I'm not sure that finish is what it should be.
Bottom Line: A spark of joy.
2.75/5
