The Brewers Association started with 12 different styles of beer, according to The Audocity of Hops, but currently they identify over 120 different styles of beer. But a step back, what’s a beer style and why so many? Beer style is a generally agreed set of attributes that unify the naming convention. It’s a fairly modern construction going back to the 1970s roughly. So if I say pale ale you may think of Sierra Nevada’s pale ale. As brewers have gotten more experimentaland complex further categories and boundaries have been indexed.

I love Belgian beers if you ask the bartenders at the taproom what my favorite style is, they would likely say Belgian Tripel. Generally golden, but can range as deep as amber. It’s a strong beer at 7-10% but moderate body. Low hop aroma, but bright fruity notes including banana and sometimes a bit of clove. Because they are strong you may not find them in draft, but it’s a perfect beer to enjoy at home.

Style Examples

Lowes Foods Beer Den Belgian Tripel 9% ABV

Lowes has contracted with Foothills and they are making a great version of the beer.

Hugger Mugger Hastur, The King in Yellow 9% ABV

Great yeast character and to me a little more body than most examples.

New Belgium Trippel 8.5% ABV

Still in the market at grocery stores in 6 pack or in a mixed Belgian case, great boozy character to it. 

Victory Golden Monkey 9.5% ABV

Okay this is only local if you are in Charlotte and visit Brewers at 4001 Yancey, but you can find it in grocery store, they make variations, but the original is my preference.

Check back next Wednesday for another style with some local options.