Written by The Brasserie (brewery) du Bocq is situated in the Bocq valley, in the ‘The Condroz’, an area of Belgium I’ve not encountered before; south east of Brussels about half-way to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
This is the French speaking part of Belgium and while the area is perhaps less well known for its brewing – compared to, say, northern Belgium the area has a reputation for fine foods – not least the rich paté from Ardennes.
The brewery was founded in 1858 by Martin Belot, and it remains a family concern, now in the sixth generation. They contract brew some Belian Ales for Tesco (Britain’s largest supermarket chain) which can’t do any harm.
Triple Moine? Well, the word ‘Moine’ is French for ‘Monk’ (as in Des Moines, Iowa – originally ‘Fort Des Moines’ – the Monks’ Fort) so I guess this makes it an Abbey Triple beer? Kinda.
It’s a bottle conditioned ale, so there’s been some secondary fermentation in the bottle, there’s certainly some sediment so I’ll make sure I pour it carefully, particularly with the rather fancy cage holding the cork in place.
It soon becomes apparent that this is a pale beer, I just get used to pouring dark beers from these large bottles. There’s not a lot of head, and what head there is vanishes with unseemly haste. Not looking good guys…
The nose, well it’s kinda bready in a damp cardboard sort of way; yes there are fruity hints lurking in the background, maybe unripe pears or pineapple, but not much.
The flavour?
Yes, those fruity hints are in there, maybe with a hint of spice, but any subtle flavours are blown away by candy sugar and alcohol; this seems to be one of those brews that’s brewed for the strength with little concern for the flavour.
This just doesn’t do it for me and, to the astonishment of my wife, after one small glass, this went down the drain.
Sorry guys this gets a lone star from me.
Rating: 
Bob the Brit
Copyright © The Brewclub
Yikes! A sink-pour? Seems like one-star was being generous!