93 Pere Jacques Belgian Ale, Goose Island Brewing Co. (IL). 9% ABV (5/08)
Dark copper color. Vibrant complex aromas of spicy raisin compote, dried ginger and chocolate-covered lemon peels follow through on a rich entry to a supple, creamy and fruity, sweet, full body with layers of nougat and subtle peppery spice. Finishes with a refreshing creamy fade. A delightful beer.

90 Brother David’s Double, Anderson Valley Brewing Co. (CA). 9% ABV (5/08)
Dark reddish copper mahogany color with a lacy taupe head. Brown sugar, chocolate-covered Montmorency cherry and dark, butter-roasted nut aromas follow through on a soft, satiny entry to a dryish, medium-full body with an emphasis on the salty nuts and cocoa. Finishes with a tangy, nutty fade with subtle dried citrus peel-like hops in support. Well-balanced and very drinkable. Try with venison chops or rabbit sausage.

89 Dubbel Vision, Bastone Brewery (MI). 7.5% ABV (4/08) %{Brewpub}
Deep brown color and a slightly tan head. Raisin, cheery, fig, apricots and honey in the nose. Feathery mouth feel with hints of sour cherries, candied apple, pumpernickel toast and chestnuts in the malts. Laid back finish that isn’t too cloying or too dry. Very well balanced and a great double to try with some grilled game and currant compote.

88 Whole Foods Cru D’Or, North Coast Brewing Co. (CA). 8% ABV (5/06)
Clear dark copper with no head. Woody, roasted nut and raw molasses aromas. A smooth, lightly carbonated entry leads to a dryish medium-bodied palate with savory, dry dark caramel, sea salt and roasted nut flavors. Finishes with a long, chewy caramel, pumpernickel malt and woody nut fade. Very interesting, but needs more effervescence.

88 St. Bernardus Prior 8, St. Bernardus Brouwerij (Belgium). 8% ABV (5/06)
Copper mahogany color. Woody toasted nut, wet clay and light toffee aromas. A round, frothy entry leads to dryish, chewy medium- to full-bodied palate with raisin compote, nut and toffee flavors. Finishes with a chocolate and mild, earthy hop fade.

87 Abbaye De Saint Martin Dark, Brasserie de Brunehaut (Belgium). 8% ABV (5/07)
Mahogany color. Buttery peanut brittle, orange marmalade and baker’s chocolate aromas follow through to a satiny medium body of rich Belgian milk chocolate-covered dried fruits, toffeed nuts and balanced delicate spices. Finishes with a cocoa-dusted nut and citrus peel fade. A silky sipping beer.

87 St. Benedict’s Winter Ale, Stevens Point Brewery (WI). 6.3% ABV (4/08)
Nut brown in color with a beige lacy head. Leather, caramel and fresh tobacco with underlying honey sweetness in the nose. Light-bodied with a noticeable zip of carbonation that delivers raisin, sour cherry, dark toasted bread and almost rye-like characteristics to the malt profile. Finishes a touch oily and a bit dry. Quenching for the style and will be good with holiday puddings.

86 Heavy Seas Holy Sheet Abbey, Clipper City Brewing Co. (MD). 9% ABV (5/08)
Mahogany color. Very tangy chocolate-covered cherry, raisin and date aromas and flavors with spiced nuts, dried citrus and cheese in good balance.

93 St. Bernardus Tripel, St. Bernardus Brouwerij (Belgium). 8% ABV (5/06)
Old gold color with a high white head. Yeasty, bread dough and fruity baked citrus aromas. A smooth frothy entry leads to a dry-yet-fruity medium- to full-bodied palate with bread dough, candied lemon peels, light spice and pink peppercorns. Finishes with a tangy marmalade and sea salt fade. Smooth and tasty with the alcohol well in check.

93 15, Unibroue (Canada). 10% ABV (5/06)
Hazy golden amber color with a vibrant white head. Sweet dried fruit, straw, mint and clover honey aromas. A robust entry leads to a rich, frothy and fruity full-bodied palate with candied lemon peel, kumquats, light caramel, toast and coriander. Finishes with a long warming fade of sweet dried fruits and lightly peppery spices. Superb depth and drinkability that will match up with a variety of hearty, spicy foods.

91 Brother David’s Triple, Anderson Valley Brewing Co. (CA). 10% ABV (5/08)
Brilliant, deep amber color with a lacy head. Peppery aroma of nougat, molasses and banana nut bread follow though to creamy, tangy medium-full body with orange marmalade on buttered caramel rye bread, dusty spice, dried peach and nutshell flavors. Finishes with a chewy banana custard and citrus hop fade with mouthwatering acidity. A zesty, flavorful tripel to pair with artisan cheeses.

90 Val-Dieu Triple, Brasserie Abbaye du Val-Dieu (Belgium). 9% ABV (5/06)
Lightly hazy, golden yellow color with a lacey white head. Wheat cracker, baked citrus and light caramel aromas. A frothy entry leads to a lightly fruity, medium-bodied caramelized pale malt palate with candied lemon peel, cracked pepper, dried peach and wet stone flavors. Finishes crisply with a citrusy hop, dried fruit and mild spice fade. A nicely balanced, easygoing tripel.

90 Ménage A Frog, Issaquah Brewhouse (OR). 9% ABV (5/08)
Brilliant golden amber color with a foamy head. Nut bread dough, caramel and potters’ clay aromas. A round, supple entry leads to a chewy, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body of honeyed raisin toast, candied orange peel and sweet spice flavors. Finishes with a tangy, mildly citrusy hop and pepper jelly fade with warming alcohol. A fun, bold take on the tripel style.

89 Abbey Style Triple, Sprecher Brewing Co. (WI). 8.4% ABV (5/06)
Hazy old gold amber color. Toasty malt with dry caramel, glazed doughnut and dry fruit aromas. A crisp entry leads to a frothy, lightly chewy and fruity medium-bodied palate with zesty tart citrus, toasty malt and dried fruit flavors. Finishes with a sweet fruity fade with a touch of clover honey sweetness and mild citrusy hops. Very charming and refreshing in an almost lager-like way.

89 Watou Tripel, St. Bernardus Brouwerij (Belgium). 7.5% ABV (5/06)
Brilliant, golden amber color with a frothy white head. Spicy, caramel, bread crust, dried apricot and apple aromas. A frothy entry leads to a fruity, tart, medium-bodied palate with dried apple, citrus peel, mild peppery spice and caramelized malt flavors. Finishes with a tart fade of honeycomb, citrus, smoky spice and dried apples and pears.

88 Nectar des Dieux, Bastone Brewery (MI). 9.5% ABV (4/08) %{Brewpub}
Deep golden and bright orange in color. Toasted oats, honey, cream and slightly piney aromatics. Silky mouth feel with a little slick texture. Stone fruits, wet stone, candied ginger, fresh fig and orange marmalade are evident in the malt. Nice spritzy finish with more piney, somewhat floral hop hints. Well balanced and quite a nice triple. Try with braised rabbit or creamy cheeses.

87 Tripel, Bastone Brewery (MI). 8.6% ABV (4/07)
Lightly hazy amber color. Peach marmalade and wheat cracker aromas follow through to a supple off-dry and fruity medium-full body with nice caramel, golden raisin and clover honey accents. Finishes with a tangy, fruity, candied peach and orange peel fade with a dash of spicy hops. A fruity sweet, yet refreshing tripel style.