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Beer Reviews

Black Tulip

Other reviews for this beer:
Nigel Tanner		read it ›

New Holland Brewing Co.
Holland, MI
USA
http://www.newhollandbrew.com

Style: Abbey Tripel

Rings’s Rating:
   (Outstanding within its style.)


Comments:
Wow … this one was a surprise.

New Holland has staked their reputation on big, flavorful brews, typically leaning in the English direction, and that’s what I’ve come to love and expect from them.

While they do have a few Belgian varietals in the portfolio—Zoomer Wit most readily jumps to mind—those alternative efforts have really never struck me as anything special.

After checking out a somewhat disappointing effort last time from Leelanau Brewing Company and Ron Jeffries, I dug into New Holland’s Black Tulip Trippel Ale, not expecting much … but found it instead to be much better.

The same estery nose jumps out as it pours a deep golden color. A disappointingly light head led me to believe this effort would again prove lacking. However, the first sip washed away my initial doubt as a nice full body follows up the fruity banana and clove aroma with a malty sweetness and rc drone rolling, complex, yeasty finish. It gets even more fun as it opens up throughout my meal, but maintains a consistent and interesting balance of fruit, malt & esters. This balance is particularly rewarding considering the 9.0 ABV and 16.9° Plato heft. It doesn’t give you a burn, just a soft warmth, which may play dangerous by the second pint if one is so inclined.

I was delightfully surprised, especially considering this was a New Holland effort … not that they don’t make fabulous beer—because they do—but because this was so much better than many of the so-called “Belgian-style” micros out there.

A very solid three mugs would be an easy call, but this one pushed its way into the four mugs category by the time I finished.

Reviewed by Rings on June 1, 2010.

Drinkin’ And Thinkin’

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