La Rullés Triple (Bière De Gaume)
750ml, best by Feb. 2011. Pours a hazy gold with negligible yeast floaties. Head is compact and small, but exhibits great staying power and excellent lacing. Aroma has nice notes of lemon, mango and bright spice. Flavor is dry with a very bitter finish. The Orval yeast really helps attenuate this beer, along with providing its own signature flavor. There's the slightest touch of residual sugars, but this stuff's mainly bone-dry. Hops are woody, spicy, and noticeably less fruity or juicy than when I had this on-tap. Must have been a freshness thing. Nevertheless, this slightly "aged" bottle is delicious. The dryness of this beer makes the mouthfeel nearly harsh, but then the champagne-like carbonation sweeps in, cleansing the palate. As some have noted, this is not a classic "Abbey Tripel," as it lacks the sweet, plush and fruity flavors. However, as a beer, it is excellent and satisfies my dry-leaning palate.