MONKSPELL

A Belgian Tripel style ale- “Tripel” is a term used in Belgium and the Netherlands to refer to a strong pale ale. The name is thought to identify the beers strength and is part of a hierarchy with “Singel” being the weakest followed by “Dubbel”, then of course “Tripel” and lastly the strongest “Quadrupel”.  The style was orginated by Brewmaster Hendrick Verlinden while brewing at Drie Linden(Three Lindens) in 1931 and was originally called “Witkap Pater”. Verlinden also brewed it for Westmalle, an Trappist brewery, under the name of “Superbier”. It wasn’t officially called Tripel until 1956 when it was rebranded and reformulated under the brewmaster, Brother Thomas.
Tripels should be pale and strong but, they are defined by their spicy character. This comes from the judicious use of hops combined with the fermentation character of the yeast. In some varieties, actual spices are used.