In a blind tasting by BJCP trained experts, this beer rated

82

Victory Brewing Company Golden Monkey

Aroma: “Coriander, pickled ginger, and very lemony—lemoncello—even a bit minty. Toasty caramel malt, too. Light fruity Belgian esters like pears and other tree fruits, but the spicy yeast notes that you’d expect in a tripel aren’t really there.”

Flavor: “Sweet toasted-caramel malt, big sour lemon-drop candy, moderate medicinal phenol, and assertive alcohol character without being hot, followed by a long finish that fades into a pleasant back-of-the-tongue bitterness. A bit heavy, but not unpleasantly so.”

Overall: “This could be a unique (and potentially innovative) beer, but it lacks a few of the keynotes of a Belgian tripel that make them enjoyable to drink, such as a dry finish and spicy yeast notes. Additionally, the malt presence is just a bit too sweet.”

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