In trying this beer, and Grand Rapids Michigan earning the shared title of Beer City USA for 2012 this week, we have concluded that Michigan has some of the best beers in the country, nay, the world. In short Tuesday-Nights and Michigan craft beer enthusiasts are likely spoiled by the variety and quality beers made right here in the state. No matter in or out of Michigan, we will continue to enjoy beer drinking and sharing our perspective to further promote the beer industry that we all truly love!

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Slàinte!

Brewery Vivant has a passion for all beers Belgian and this new release is no exception. The Tripel is a traditional Belgian style that is said to have procured it’s name based on the strength of the beer: X, XX or XXX for the strongest. Ergo, Tripel. One thing you should know about this beer, and other tripels, is that they are typically higher in alcohol content (around 9%). Enough with the facts, onto the beer in question, Vivant’s Tripel.

Tripel-ly

When we first cracked the can open and started pouring , we quickly realized it would take a few minutes. The cloudy golden beer had an enormous foamy head. While we were pouring out this glorious beer, the aroma of a traditional wheaty Belgian beer lingered to our noses.  At first sip we noticed that it was only slightly carbonated; with the taste dancing lightly upon our tongues. The flavor matured in our mouths into a beautiful wheat bouquet balanced nicely with a hint of malt. It seemed to be lighter on the malt than other tripels making it less on the sweet side, which isn’t necessarily bad or good. Just different. One thing we knew for sure is that Vivant’s Tripel, with it’s 9.25% abv, did not have a strong alcohol kick to it.  This beer is incredibly mellow and easy to drink, but we knew if we weren’t careful we’d be on the floor watching the ceiling turn into a Pink Floyd-esque laser light show.

In the end, if you have an affinity for wheaty Belgian beers, you’ll thoroughly enjoy Vivant’s Tripel. It’s easy to drink, leaves no lingering aftertaste and will surely leave you wanting more. The only real problem with this wonderful libation is that it’s only a limited release, and you may not be able to find it. Bummer.

In a six hour time frame he drank 119 bottles of beer.   This averages out to about a bottle every 3 minutes.  Please don’t try this, he was 7’4″ tall and over 500 pounds!

Sun is shining, plants are growing...get me another beer!

Now that the weather teases us with warmer temperatures (even if it plummets the next day), we long for the summer seasonal beers. Zaison is one of those seasonal beers. Brewery Vivant has made an imperial saison ale with a little extra kick. Saison beers are brewed with a special yeast that produces peppery phenols (that’s science talk for spicy) that give the beer a unique but gentle bite. Zaison is a limited release beer that adds Tellicherry Black Peppercorn and Orange Peel in the brewing process to add to the natural flavors made by the yeast in fermentation.

When we poured the Zaison, we were pleased by its cloudy golden color. The inviting aroma was complex and robust with hints of malt, hops, orange and pepper. When the beer first hits your tongue you get that typical Belgian wheat taste and quickly changes to orange and pepper as it warms in your mouth. Don’t get me wrong, the balance of flavors is mixed perfectly. With an even flow all the way around, it ends with a slight bitterness like orange peel. The best part is the subtle bite of pepper that makes it go well with many foods. In fact, the brewers specifically designed this beer to compliment most types of food (even with Frosted Flakes – Larry). As with most saison ales, this would be perfect on a summer day. But be careful, the alcohol content is 9% and it hits you fast. It tastes so good and goes down so smooth, you don’t realize the alcohol is in it until it’s too late. Consider that a warning. Zaison is a great, flavorful beer that is only available in limited supply. Get some while you can.