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Updated Review 01/08
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New presentation with a black foiled neck and a new, updated label. Still in the corked & caged, dimple-bottomed, champagne style, heavy green glass bottle. Cork says bottled 06/2007.
Beer seems a tad less aggressive. Still listed as 11.0%, but much less obvious. Also not so sweet, and not so alcoholic. A more subtle experience than before, not sure I like it quite as much.
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Original Review 09/05
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Nice presentation in the large 750 mL green bottle with the corked, caged and gold foiled top. Quite champagne like in its external appearance.
Aroma is a little spice, but mainly alcohol. Very typical for the style and for a Belgian in general.
Pours with that classic golden yellow pour, a rocky head and a lot of excellent lacing. This is typically Belgian Tripel, with the distinctive yeast taste, the warm and high alcohol feel, and the mild spice. As it warms the spice becomes increasingly apparent.
Carbonation is very nice, but the mouthfeel is slightly below excellent (only just), but does have a reassuring slickness as it warms. The bottom-scored Duvel tulip helps the retention of the thin filmed head.
In fact, this benefits as it warms in more than one way.
DUPLICATE LISTING? – Reported 12/10
I believe this is the same beer as;
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/212/44892
Van Honsebrouck website only lists one, 11.0% ABV Tripel