The Bruery - Trade Winds Tripel

East meets West?

I've had a few craft brews from The Bruery before. I must say, I haven't been disappointed yet. Their Mischief golden ale earned a perfect BeerGuyPDX rating when I reviewed it earlier this year. These folks in Placentia, CA brew some mighty fine beer!

Today, I'm enjoying a bottle of The Bruery's Trade Winds. It's a Belgian-style tripel brewed with rice and Thai Basil. It comes with an ABV of 8.1%. The label advises that the beer is unfiltered and bottle-conditioned.

Trade Winds poured into my tulip snifter a hazy, golden, orange color with a huge, fluffy, off-white head. That head rose up to more than two fingers thick and dissipated slowly. Copious amounts of clumpy, frothy lacing was left behind.

Aroma was tropical and stone fruit with Belgian yeast and spices. Lemon peel. I didn't pick up the scent of basil, but there was a distinct herbaceous aroma in the background.

Taste was sweet, bready malt. Belgian yeast. Coriander.  Again, my taste buds didn't get the specific flavor of basil, but there were lots of interesting herbal notes. Not too sweet. An interesting creamy coconut flavor mixed in with pleasant, indistinct citrus. Very Tasty.

Medium mouthfeel with excellent carbonation. slightly creamy finish. I was wanting a little heat at the end, which tells me this brew really would go well with Thai food. Pad Kee Mao. I need some NOW.

This is a tasty, tasty beer. I'd definitely spring $10 for another 750ml bottle. I'm giving Trade Winds a BeerGuyPDX rating of 3 1/2 crushed cans our of 4.