SensAlost Tripel Hop

Tripel hop – which is usually a hoppy tripel with three hop varieties in it, inspired by the Duvel Tripel Hop family established in 2008 under influence of global hop-forward tendencies; the brand was created by GM1 Sensations, the same people that run the Geuze Leuze webshop. Brewed at De Graal, but apparently a first batch (with different label) had already been produced at De Feniks before. Snow white, moussey, frothy, shred-lacing head on a misty pale yellow to straw blonde beer. Aroma of coriander more than hops initially, soap even, white bread, freshly cut grass, moist white pepper, some unfortunate DMS (cooked white cabbage), clove and even cooked meat (4-vinyl-guaiacol), green apple peel, straw, young ‘graanjenever’. Restrained in sweetness, some unripe pear and green apple fruitiness, fizzy carbonation through a rounded grainy middle, remaining low in residual sugars; instead, a strong soapy coriander seed effect appears, while the hops add bitterness in a grassy, leafy way. A brief whiff of citrus is noticeable but otherwise the anticipated retronasal hop aromas remain very modest; warming ‘jenever’-like alcohol adds additional bitterishness. In itself decent enough, but frankly a bit one-dimensional; more expressive New World (or even Old World) hop aromas would have been welcome. Considering that this beer is something of a work in progress, if I understood its creator’s explanation correctly, it may turn out differently next time so this may be one to watch.

23/VII/24 - 33cl bottle @ Alengrin’s place, BB: I/2026, lot 24012 (2024-580) Thanks to Alengrin for sharing the bottle!

Clear light blond yellow beer, big fluffy creamy white head, falls down quickly, adhesive, leaving a nice lacing in the glass. Aroma: spicy, very yeasty, lots of coriander, soapy, a little grassy, some cloves. MF: ok carbon, medium body. Taste: a hint of cabbage, watery, some grains, a bit grassy, thin, gentle bitterness. Aftertaste: a bit chemical, yeasty, lots of coriander, a little bitter, soapy, a hint of citrus, more cabbage, grassy, meh.