By Julia Burke, Beer Editor

577440494_2050758889_558580298_1287405714158In the past I’ve found some of Brewery Ommegang’s Belgian-style offerings a tad hit-or-miss, but lately the Cooperstown brewery has been blowing me away.

I enjoyed a bottle of this Tripel Perfection at my resident beer geek watering hole and was immediately seduced by its buttery mouthfeel and head-to-toe class.

Tripel Perfection pours a gently hazy golden blonde into a goblet with a three-finger head that maintains throughout the drinking session with elegance.

The nose is apricot, pineapple and tangerine, and hints of clove and coriander, with a seductive leesy richness, giving way to a mouthfeel that is hedonistically creamy yet somehow weightless.

I love the balanced structure here: this doesn’t feel overly sweet or strong, it just glides over the tongue so effortlessly that I was halfway through the bottle before I realized I should probably be taking more tasting notes.

Pure luxury from start to finish, this is a lovely indulgence. Try it with lobster pizza or dip — or with some aged gouda for an edgier pairing.

Producer: Brewery Ommegang
ABV: 8.9%
Sample Size: 20 oz. bottle
Stemware: 10 oz. Belgian goblet
Price: $10
Availability: Specialty
Rating: A-