St. Bernardus Tripel 750ML is a Belgian abbey-style tripel brewed at 8% ABV by Brouwerij St. Bernardus in Watou, Belgium. This expression earned Best Belgian Style Tripel at the Brussels Beer Challenge and a 94/100 score from Craft Beer & Brewing, cementing its reputation as one of the finest tripels available outside Trappist walls.Quick Facts: ABV: 8% | Origin: Watou, West Flanders, Belgium | Style: Belgian Tripel | Brewery: Brouwerij St. BernardusProduction & HeritageBrouwerij St. Bernardus traces its brewing lineage to 1946, when brewmaster Mathieu Szafranski brought propagated strains of the original Westvleteren St. Sixtus yeast to the Watou brewery. When the monks of Westvleteren later switched to Westmalle yeast, St. Bernardus became the sole keeper of that historic strain — a distinction that defines the character of every beer in its lineup. The Tripel is brewed using high fermentation with well water, barley malt, Kent Golding aroma hops, Hallertau Magnum bitter hops, candy sugar, and yeast, resulting in a golden abbey ale with uncommon depth and complexity.Tasting NotesAroma: The nose opens with a slightly sweet rosewater quality, followed by layers of citrus peel, fresh bread yeast, and gentle clove spice. Banana and peach esters emerge as the beer warms in the glass.Taste: The entry is rich and wheaty, recalling hearth bread spread with honey and orange marmalade. Mid-palate, mango and lemon zest brighten the sweetness, while candy sugar lends body without cloying. The balance between fruity sweetness and a measured hop bitterness from the Hallertau Magnum is precise and harmonious.Finish: Medium-long with orangey, grassy Styrian hop character and a delicate dryness that keeps the 8% ABV remarkably drinkable. Lingering notes of spice and light floral bitterness invite the next sip.How to Drink St. Bernardus TripelPour into a tulip glass or chalice at 46–50°F to fully release its aromatic complexity; this beer rewards patient sipping on its own. For cocktail-curious drinkers: use it in a Belgian Beer Shandy with fresh lemon juice and a touch of honey to amplify its citrus notes; try a Tripel Spritz blended with elderflower liqueur and sparkling water for a refreshing aperitif; or mix a Flanders Flip with a whole egg and maple syrup, shaken and strained, to highlight the bread and spice character.Best For Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who appreciates abbey-style brewing traditions Hosting a Belgian beer tasting alongside dubbels, quads, and saisons Pairing with a holiday dinner featuring roasted poultry or baked ham Celebrating a milestone with something more distinctive than mainstream craft lager Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does St. Bernardus Tripel taste like? It presents a rich, honey-laced wheat bread character layered with citrus peel, mango, banana, and clove spice. A balanced hop bitterness and candy sugar sweetness merge into a harmonious, fruity-dry finish.How does St. Bernardus Tripel compare to Westmalle Tripel? Westmalle Tripel is widely regarded as the style's benchmark, with a leaner, drier, more peppery profile and slightly higher ABV at 9.5%. St. Bernardus Tripel tends to be rounder, more fruit-forward, and bread-rich, partly due to its use of the original Westvleteren yeast strain rather than the Westmalle yeast that most other Belgian breweries employ.Is St. Bernardus Tripel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its complexity, moderate carbonation, and layered fruit and spice character make it ideal for slow, contemplative drinking from a proper Belgian glass at cellar temperature.Where is St. Bernardus Tripel made? It is brewed at Brouwerij St. Bernardus in Watou, a village in the West Flanders province of Belgium near the French border. The brewery has operated at this location since 1946 and draws from its own well water source.What foods pair well with St. Bernardus Tripel? Creamy washed-rind cheeses like Chimay or Époisses mirror its yeasty richness. Roasted chicken with herbs complements the bread and spice notes. Mussels in a white wine broth echo its fruity, slightly briny minerality. Citrus tarts or crème brûlée harmonize with the orange marmalade sweetness. Charcuterie boards with pâté and grainy mustard provide a savory counterpoint to the candy sugar sweetness.What sizes does St. Bernardus Tripel come in? The standard retail format is a 750ML bottle, which is the traditional Belgian sharing size; smaller 330ML bottles are also widely available.Is St. Bernardus Tripel worth the price? It positions as a premium Belgian abbey ale, sitting above everyday craft tripels but well below rare Trappist releases. Given its Brussels Beer Challenge win, 94/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing, and the distinction of carrying the original Westvleteren yeast lineage, it represents strong value within its tier.Why St. Bernardus Tripel?The single most compelling reason to seek out this tripel is biological: St. Bernardus is the only brewery still propagating the original Westvleteren St. Sixtus yeast strain, a living link to one of the most revered brewing traditions on earth. That yeast imparts a fruit-and-bread complexity that separates this beer from tripels built on the more common Westmalle strain. Critical recognition backs up the pedigree — a Brussels Beer Challenge Best Belgian Style Tripel win, a 2024 World Beer Awards Silver medal, and a 94/100 from Craft Beer & Brewing all confirm what the glass already tells you. In a category crowded with competent imitators, St. Bernardus Tripel carries genuine historical authority and the flavor to prove it.
