Duvel Tripel Hop: taste of Spring
Duvel Tripel Hop: the taste of Spring!
Fresh as a spring morning; rarer than a sunny day
Article originally published in GTG Spring 2013
Spring Quartet
Vital Statistics:
Style: Belgian Strong Golden Ale
Undergoes re-fermentation in the bottle
Strength: 9.5% ABV
AI Value:* 10
Killer App: Brightens any day
Medicinal Qualities: Fountain of youth
Tasting notes: Sunrise on a crisp May morning
even if it’s raining!
Grey Scale Rating:** Platinum
Wt Relativity Index*** 9.99 (2012 Citra) 9.97 (2013 Sorachi)
Brew Basics
Origin
Duvel had its origin in the First World War. Interestingly it was inspired by English ales that Albert Moortgat – son of the brewery’s founder Jan-Leonard Moortgat – experienced during the hostilities. Albert was so impressed by these ales that he decided to create a beer based on the ‘English model’ using the finest ingredients. Post-war he visited Scotland to obtain a specific yeast, and the yeast used today continues to be cultured from that same strain.
What’s in a name
Originally the beer was to be called ‘Victory Ale’ (yawn) but an early taster of the brew is said to have exclaimed “nen echten duvel” (this is a real devil) and fortunately that’s the name that stuck!
What’s so special?
Duvel is traditionally brewed with two hop varieties, Saaz-Saaz & Styrian Golding.
Duvel Tripel Hop is brewed with three hop varieties and each year the third hop is changed to provide its own unique taste and aroma. The 2012 brew used Citra hops and was about one quantum away from being perfect. For 2013 Duvel’s brewers selected the exotic hop Sorachi Ace from Japan. Sadly the latter is not quite as invigorating, but nothing ventured nothing gained, and we look forward to trying next year’s surprise!
The result is an exceptionally crisp refreshing beer. Fresh as a spring morning! And (in the UK) as rare as a sunny day!
More info: Duvel Moortgat
Our original feature on regular Duvel
* AI, or Alcoholic Index is a key parameter in the temporal equation defining (perceived) Drink Time
Ref. ‘Quantum Qorner’ Alcohol Induced Time Dilation Effect
** The official GTG product review rating scale:
Coal (pants) Charcoal (bearable) Gravel (average) Ash (good) Platinum (ace)
*** Westmalle Tripel Relativity Index: higher resolution drink-specific rating comparing beverages to the benchmark Westmalle Tripel,
which itself rates the theoretical maximum of 10, with Platinum rated brews being in the range 9-10
For more information on the GTG reviewing system see Downtime Review Guide: Reviewing Principals and Ratings Systems
