Chimay Blanche / Tripel Yellow Label

The classic Tripel.

The photo's not done it justice in low light but it's a relatively high carbonated pour for an 8% abv but good looking. The nose is oh so sweet, notes of candied sugar and fairy floss, one of the most sugary smelling beers I can remember, and if you're like me this spells trouble.

Pleasingly however it's cloudlike on drinking: light, fluffy, and altogether very agreeable beer. There's a vinous sort of quality there somewhere in amongst the sweet malt, maybe just a faint edge of pineapple, good stuff whatever it is. Classic and would be lovely with something similarly light like chicken or fish. 8.5

Green Flash Le Freak

Wow this is a massive beer.

9.2% of Belgian Tripel forcibly crashed into a US-hopped Imperial IPA. It does not lack presence.

Bright pink label an inspired choice and I actually think the beer itself may carry just a hint of strawberry itself too? Beautiful head is frothy and solid; creamy.

The aroma here was always going to be a battleground and you do get both styles in there. Maybe the hops just edge it, if you had to pick a winner? I find the alcohol pretty evident in terms of bitey front of mouth flavours, but it's not bulky or heavy as such - just sticky and full bodied. It all comes together pretty well without becoming too tacky. I like.

I'm not sure I'd want to drink this style too often, but for what it is, it's good. I'm maybe not a fan just yet but you have to acknowledge the showcase nonetheless. 8.0

Little Creatures Single Batch: The Quiet American

The long awaited new single batch from the crew at Little Creatures, and an interesting one at that, combining American hops (Cascade, Chinook) with what is essentially a Belgian Tripel.

It's tough to get your head around and to be honest, a bit hard to get your mouth around to begin with too. Pours a little sticky and heavy, minimal head, low aeration.

The hops are apparent early, giving it a sweet character a lot like their eponymous pale ale. But from there things turn with a sweet sugary Belgian character with cloves and other spices comes to the fore. It's a little bit syrupy on the finish but pretty drinkable.

I think this beer will take a bit of time to get to know, so glad I picked up a few extra. In terms of rating.. I think Belgian beer fans will probably have a go at this as it's not to the level of authentic Tripels I'm sure. But I'm happy with this as something that is quite unique and what seems a genuinely ballsy attempt to take things forward. Good stuff. 7.5

Victory Golden Monkey

Right. I have to say I had no idea what was lurking in this bottle what with the label, name, and walloping 9.5% ABV.

And yet I was still pretty surprised by the lightness of this: the head, the body, and strangely the taste itself.

Given this in isolation I think I'd call it some sort of Belgian witbier, primarily lemon and wheat based flavours, slight candy, not a lot else. The label bangs on about this being spiced; but I didn't get too much of that. The strangest thing is there's very little indication of the alcohol here - just a slightly sweet finish.

In this then it's a pretty impressive effort. But given the relatively uninspired flavours around it, it's just not that enjoyable. 7.0