Score: 98/100 – World-Class
From a 750ml bottle served at cellar temperature into a wine glass. Bottled on 20-08-21 – making this over 6 months old.
I picked up the beer from a local specialty shop along with many other brews from Robin after experiencing beerfection by their rum barrel-aged Polygone.
Triple is significantly higher in alcohol compared to the rest of their lineup. I’m looking forward to this with high expectations so let’s get to it.
Appearance 6/6
The beer pours a brilliant deep gold with less than 1cm of thin, bubbly, off-white head with no lasting power – gone in 60 seconds. Poor lacing and head retention. Attractive colour and clarity even if the head is slightly lacking (as expected).
Aroma 24/24
Moderate intensity with sweet-ish balance. The aroma is subdued yet layered with significant white wine and cider quality.
Pome-fruit forward with grounding oak, a splash of perfumy alcohol, low earthiness, and a hint of vanilla to round it all out. Mild hay-like character with farmyard funk and herbs. That’s when the beer hasn’t yet reached room temperature.
Once warm, the aroma amps up in intensity while adding layers of maple syrup, honey, and apricots which absolutely make all the difference in creating an extraordinary nose. The intensity transitions to medium-strong as the balance changes over to superb. Even though the additional layers are generally considered sweet, the overall balance seems to find equilibrium by snapping into place.
The dry nose is round and reminiscent of apple crumble pie, oak, and honey. Sublime.
Flavour 39/40
Medium-strong intensity with sharp-ish balance and pronounced perceived bitterness.
The palate opens up with vibrant white wine and cidery character rich in pome fruit, minerals, and alcohol. Consistent throughout, the center is reminiscent of white wine (pome fruit + oak + vanilla), apple cider vinegar, wet hay, alcohol, low herbs, and mild farmyard funk.
The medium-length finish is strong and balanced with notes of white wine, apple cider vinegar, vanilla, oak, spice, and cereal grain.
Just like the aroma, the flavour intensifies with gained temperature and adds layers of maple syrup, candy apples, and spiced pear. Incredible.
Mouthfeel 10/10
Medium-light body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is crisp and slightly puckering with restrained alcohol warming and a dry finish. Mild tannic astringency yet no harshness on the palate. Surprisingly dry for the hefty ABV.
Overall 19/20
Robin Bière Naturelle’s Triple is a world-class beer. It took me halfway to the glass to truly appreciate this and another quarter to realize just how exceptional it is. Tip: drink this warm as it only reveals its true beauty in room temperature.
At first I had to work for it, but the aroma is deeply gratifying with wonderful layers and a unique character. On the palate, the tasting notes become rather repetitive but that’s a testament to a consistent beer with exceptional flavour clarity. However rustic in character, this beer delivers a unique drinking experience with its vinous/cidery quality: it takes expertise to create that.
At times while sipping on Robin’s Triple, you forget you’re drinking beer. The creators take you on a journey different from every other one of their offerings. And with that in mind, Robin is quickly becoming my favourite Canadian brewery. Innovation, expertise, and a wonderful sense for flavour is baked into this brewery.
Grab yourself a bottle if you can find it. A near-perfect beer with my biggest issue/concern being the serving temperature.
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 