Val-Dieu Tripel

The Sample Man came 'round again, and this time he brought me a good ol' beer I haven't had in a long time. Val-Died Tripel. Took notes on a 750 ml bottle way back, almost 11 years ago, in late November of 2004. Let's take a look at those notes:

Right now, I'm in desperate need of relief from an excrutiating night at work, and this bottle just so happens to wait in the fridge. Let's hope it does the trick!

Untwisting the wire cage, almost there, and POP!, goes the cork with no effort or urging at all! Someone could have gotten hurt that way!
It's a foamy gusher, too, the suds filling the glass immediately, and spilling out of the sides, soI'll take time to admire the appearance, while it dwindles down. Hazy golden color, gorgeous, lace-weaving head, crystalline, pure white, fluffy as they come.

Aroma: light and angelic, a sublime sweetness, distinct candi sugar, a little fruity, spicy, ethereal and ultimately uplifting.

Now, to taste: very sweet, candy-ish, with fruit notes, peach, apricot, and orange, in attendance as well. Light in body, but long in flavor, with the sweetness profoundly impacted upon the palate, stays on board and tickles the senses for a few sweet seconds, then lightly drifts off. Flavor gets lemony, more spicy, prickly and sticky, near the end of the first glass, but let's not forget, this is a full 750ml bottle I'm exploring.

I consider what uses and occasions are ideal for this brew, and they can only be times when you need to bring up the happiness in your life, (like now, for weak and weary me), or when you're already happy, but could stand a little extra joy, what the hell. It's here in this bottle, just watch the cork, and get ready to slurp up some foam!