Boulevard Long Strange Tripel
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Tasting Notes
The aroma opens with yeast-driven notes of ripe banana, clove, and a touch of orange peel, with a faint floral quality from the hops. On the palate it's full and rounded, leaning into honeyed malt sweetness balanced by spicy phenolics and a mild bitterness that keeps things from going cloying. The body is substantial without being heavy, a common feat for well-made tripels that disguise their alcohol. The finish is dry and gently warming, with the fruity esters trailing off cleanly.
About the Brewery
Boulevard is based in Kansas City, Missouri, and has been operating since 1989, making it one of the larger craft breweries in the Midwest. They're widely known for their Smokestack Series of specialty and experimental releases, of which Long Strange Tripel is a part. The brewery has a strong regional footprint and has consistently pushed into Belgian-influenced and barrel-aged territory alongside their more approachable flagship lineup.
Food Pairings
Roast chicken works well here because the beer's spicy phenolics and fruity esters cut through the richness of the skin while complementing herb seasoning. A sharp aged Gouda echoes the beer's caramel malt character without competing with it. Mussels steamed in white wine are a classic Belgian pairing — the brine and brininess contrast cleanly against the beer's sweetness. Spiced pork dishes, particularly those with apple or mustard, find a natural counterpart in the tripel's yeast-forward fruitiness. A simple honey cake or tarte tatin can also work, with the beer's dry finish preventing the combination from becoming too sweet.
Style Guide
Belgian Tripel is a strong pale ale originating from Belgian Trappist brewing tradition, most famously codified by Westmalle in the mid-20th century. It's characterized by a high ABV range — typically 8–10% — built on pale malt and a significant addition of simple sugars that ferment out fully, keeping the body lighter than the gravity suggests. What sets it apart from a Belgian Dubbel is its pale color and emphasis on fruity esters and spicy phenolics over dark fruit and caramel, and from a Belgian Strong Pale Ale by its more pronounced yeast-driven complexity and slightly heavier body.