Duvel Tripel Hop

Duvel has been both the template and the high water mark  for Belgian Strong Pale Ale since the 1920′s.  The company has expanded  greatly since then, acquiring other breweries in Belgian and the United States. The core remains the Duvel brand.

The brew hews very close to the traditional Duvel profile. A head like a fluffy Lhasa Apso, with a beautiful crisp golden body.  The pale malt, the granny smith apple, the lemon oil, and the clove, these are all elements of the class Duvel.

The difference is very much in the Citra hops in this bottling. Grapefruit and grassy notes, along with some fresh pine notes brings this a layer of complexity. Is it better than the original? No. Is it a fun variation of a classic? Sure is.