Tripel Bliss
I received a bottle of Tripel Bliss through a friend of mine. The beer pours a hazy light amber color with a small, creamy white head on top. As the foam dissolves spots and lines of lace cling to the glass. The aroma is sweet with hints of spice. Notes of candy sugar, light fruit (pear?), clove and pepper are present. Each sip of this medium bodied beer is very smooth, slick and watery on the palate. Light carbonation. The flavor is a nice balance of sweet malt, light fruit and spices. It starts with a malty sweetness and a touch of apple/pear fruitiness. In the middle the spicy notes of clove and pepper move in. It finishes with hints of bubblegum and banana. Once gone the clove and bubblegum lingers on the palate. This is an easy drinking, well balanced beer that hides its 9% abv very well. The characteristic Belgian spicy flavors seemed a bit light to me and the body was a little thin. Still, I enjoyed this beer quite a bit.