Westmalle Tripel is widely credited as the original tripel, first brewed in 1934 by the Trappist monks of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Westmalle, Belgium. It is one of only a handful of beers allowed to carry the Authentic Trappist Product logo, meaning it is brewed within the monastery walls under monk supervision.
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Westmalle Tripel Review: Taste, Ingredients, and Where to Buy It at a Glance
| Style | Belgian Trappist Tripel |
| ABV | 9.5% |
| Brewery | Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle, Belgium |
| Price | $14.49 for a 750ml bottle on Saucey |
How It Tastes
Westmalle Tripel pours a hazy golden color with a dense, rocky white head. The nose brings clove and ginger spice from the yeast, ripe melon and a touch of tart apple, all sitting over a lush, honeyed malt sweetness. At 9.5% ABV the alcohol is there but well hidden behind the spice and fruit, and the finish is dry enough to keep you coming back for more.
Cloves with ginger spices, melon fruit, hints of sour apple and lush toffee notes.
- The original, benchmark example of the tripel style
- Complex spice and fruit character from the house yeast strain
- Genuine Trappist provenance, brewed by the monks themselves
- 9.5% ABV means it is not a session beer
- 750ml bottle and higher price point than a standard six-pack
FAQs
What makes a beer a Trappist beer?
It must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery, under the supervision of the monks, with profits going to the monastery and charity. Westmalle is one of the small number of breweries certified to use the Authentic Trappist Product logo.
What is the ABV of Westmalle Tripel?
9.5% ABV.
What is the best glass for Westmalle Tripel?
A wide, footed Trappist chalice, which lets the head build and concentrates the aroma, is the traditional serve.
Who owns Westmalle?
Westmalle is owned and run by the Trappist monks of the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, a non-profit religious community, not a commercial brewing group.
What kind of beer is Westmalle Tripel?
A Belgian Trappist tripel, the beer style Westmalle itself originated in 1934, a strong pale ale with spicy, fruity yeast character.
How many calories are in Westmalle Tripel?
About 290 calories per 11.2oz (330ml) serving, which is high for a beer but typical for a 9.5% ABV tripel.
Does Westmalle Tripel have sugar or carbs?
About 16g of carbohydrates and 1g of sugar per 330ml serving. If you want something lighter, our best non-alcoholic beers guide has options under 100 calories.
What does Westmalle Tripel taste like?
Clove and ginger spice, ripe melon and a touch of tart apple over a honeyed malt base, with the 9.5% ABV mostly hidden behind the spice and fruit. See the full tasting notes above.
What country is Westmalle Tripel from, and where is it brewed?
It is Belgian, brewed within the walls of Westmalle Abbey in Westmalle, Belgium. See our best Belgian beers guide for more from the same country.
What is Westmalle Tripel made of, and how is it brewed?
Water, pale malt, sugar, hops and the abbey’s own yeast strain, which is responsible for most of its spice and fruit character. It is bottle-conditioned, meaning it continues to carbonate and mature in the bottle after leaving the brewery. See our best Belgian beers guide for more Trappist and abbey styles.
What is a good alternative to Westmalle Tripel?
For a different Trappist style from the same country, our Chimay Blue review covers a Trappist dark strong worth comparing it against.
How much is a 12-pack of Westmalle Tripel, and where can I buy it?
It is not sold in packs at all, only as a single 750ml bottle for $14.49 on Saucey. Check availability on Saucey.
How do I open Westmalle Tripel without a bottle opener?
Since it is a standard pry-off cap, the same tricks apply, a lighter, a key or another bottle cap. See our full guide to opening a beer without an opener.
