Belgian beer fans may recognize Brasserie Lefebvre as we’ve previously had beers from them such as Hopus and the Babar range. They are a family brewery dating from the late 1880’s, with the 5th generation of the family now in charge.
Tripels are probably the most common beer style on the Belgian market, so they come in various forms, but even for this caried style this one is a little different.
It pours much darker than a traditional tripel (think Westmalle or Karmelliet), and looks more akin to an amber ale.
Both the aroma and flavour have a definite fruit note of banana as well as orange, which is a bit unique for a tripel. Sweet caramel malt provides the backbone, and while the beer is cold it is probably a bit sweet. As it warms though, the spicy bitterness comes out with a real peppery note in the finish.
The name of this beer translates as ‘Mother Superior’ in Flemish, though I’m really not sure of the connection here. Does anybody know?