Sierra Nevada Ovila Abbey Tripel

Today I'm tasting Sierra Nevada's Ovila Abbey Tripel, which is a collaboration with the Abbey of Clairvaux. I'm not sure if it was just released, or if it's hard to find, but I've only seen it in local SLC liquor stores once, so get it if you see it!

Sierra Nevada Ovila Belgian Style Abbey Tripel - Collaboration with Monks of the Abbey of New Clairvaux

BG Poured from a 12.7 fl oz cork & cage bottle into a stemmed tulip, 8.8% ABV, Packaged 08/06/14

A Light gold in color with a snow white head that consists of tight little bubbles. The lacing left behind is like tiny, close knit islands of white on a sea of glass. The beer is clear and free of any sediment.

A Tart apples, Belgian yeast, sweet and lightly roasted malt, a touch of spicy hops, lemons

T Perfect balance of tart yeast and bitter hops, and they play together quite harmoniously. Sour apple, fresh baked white bread, a little bit of barnyard funk

M Highly carbonated, creamy, light body, I can practically feel gritty yeast on my tongue - it has a tingling sensation almost like pop rocks - but I chew around and there’s nothing at all gritty about it. Very interesting!

A This is where the hop bitterness shines, with little lingering notes of tart apple, dry finish

C The bottle states this brew is born from “Monastic Inspiration” and “American Innovation”. This is my second go at an Americanized version of a Belgian style (I’ve also tried Deschutes Foray Belgian IPA), and I am quite a fan of the hybrid. In both examples that I’ve tried, the Belgian style sings beautifully with an overdose of hops that Americans have become so lovingly fond of. The 8.8% ABV is well hidden, and the bottle design is gorgeous. It’s balanced, it’s different, and it’s simply a really tasty beer. What more can you ask for?

FP Freshly baked Italian or sourdough bread with butter and perhaps some salty charcuterie, apple pie, pork tenderloin with bacon garlic mashed potatoes, tripels are widely renowned for pairing with almost any food, so get creative!

I also wanted to note that there's a Utah Brewers Guild Harvest Festival celebrating wet hop beers (beer brewed with fresh hops off the bine) on Sat 10/11 at Avenues Proper in SLC. $5 entry, $5 pints, and $2 4oz samples. Yum!