Thursday 19 January 2012

Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel

Good evening all. After an exam that could've gone much better, I'm in the mood for something interesting and, most importantly, flavoursome. I had two fairly average beers last night- including one that I just couldn't see the point in blogging about- so for tonight's beer I turned to the rapidly diminishing collection of bottles I purchased from the Utobeer stand last weekend and pulled out Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel from Brasserie d'Achouffe. The gnome on the bottle inspecting his beard behind a hefty hop harvest promises... something, although I'm not exactly sure what that could be! As always, review after the pic....


Chouffe Houblon Dobbelen IPA Tripel (9.0% ABV) pours a golden colour with a thick white head that retains itself well on the surface of the beer. There's even a bit of lacing on the side of the glass, which seems to be becoming a regular occurrence now- gotta love that Belgian yeast! The aroma is very spicy and phenolic, with a subtle citrus hop presence in the background and an awareness of the malt behind all of that. I was expecting a more imposing hop character with this beer, but it seems the yeast takes precedence. Not that I'm complaining though, it's still a wonderful aroma! The taste is almost a 50/50 mix between spicy phenols and fruity hops, with a tangy but not overly bitter finish. The hop flavours reveal themselves more and more during the beer, with grapefruit and a grape-like aftertaste in the finish. The mouthfeel is thick, which supports the flavours very well, and the beer is relatively carbonated but not too lively. I certainly didn't have a foam volcano situation upon opening the bottle! Overall, this is a wonderful beer that combines the spice of Belgian yeast with the fruity bitterness of hops to create a well-balanced yet dynamic drinking experience. Highly recommended for Belgian fans and hop-heads looking for a break from the norm. 

Until next time....

No comments:

Post a Comment