Deep and fairly hazy copper coloured body with a lighter amber and almost orange glow, all with a pretty thick, two to three centimetre tall off-white head that stays afloat nicely. Aroma of very spicey grain with a lot of canella, nutmeg and coriander seed with a good deal of sweetness from honey noticeable in the nose and some yeast along with an alcohol aroma - quite nice in the nose and clearly reminiscent of a belgian trip. Medium to Full-bodied; Very strong sweetness shows at first from honey, grain and curacao with some banana esters here as well, but a light grain and wheatie note gives this a bit of depth, but the sweetness and spices dominate here up front, in a very nice and complex way. Aftertaste shows a nice robust malty and sweet flavour with a lot of yeast and even more of the spices that bring out a nice balance and complex pungency, but being very easy-drinking and very enjoyable throughout. Overall, a very nice, surprisingly approachable beer that shows almost exactly as a Belgian Tripel with perhaps a bit more spices, but very nice throughout and welcome for the season without being too strong or spicey, but showing a lot of flavours and warmth from the alcohol when the weather is chilly. I sampled this sixteen ounce, pint-sized can, purchased from Giant Food in Alexandria (Potomac Yard), Virginia on 12-November-2021 for US$1,99 as part of a mixed six pack, sampled at my house here in Washington on 14-February-2022.

Original Rating: 8 / 9 / 8 / 8 / 8

-- next rating:

a: slightly hazy golden coloured body | thinnish white head
a: lactose | vanilla | woodsie
f: creamy | soft nuts | earthy finish
t: white chocolate | biscuits | toffee at end
o: robust | subtle spices | large sugars, but polished throughout

16 ounce can | Costco: Arlington (Pentagon City), Virginia | 23-December-2020 | US$2,97 | no can date | sampled: 19-May-2026, a bit longer than five years after purchase!

This Rating: 7 / 8 / 8.5 / 8 / 8