Curieux

◎ Appearance

Curieux displays a deep golden hue with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent white head that clings to the glass with good lacing. The body shows bright, active carbonation that sustains throughout the pour. Light catches the ale with a warm, honeyed luminosity characteristic of well-crafted barrel-aged tripels.

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with inviting fruity esters layered beneath pronounced vanilla and coconut notes from the bourbon barrel aging. Subtle oak and caramel undertones emerge as the beer warms, alongside a whisper of honey and spice. The alcohol presence is integrated and warm, enhancing rather than dominating the complex aromatic profile.

◐ Taste

The palate enters smooth and full-bodied, with the blend of fresh and barrel-aged tripel creating a seamless interplay of fruit-forward sweetness and subtle oak character. Mid-palate reveals layers of honey and spice, while the restrained bitterness (25 IBU) allows the bourbon barrel vanilla to shine without harshness. The mouthfeel is rich and creamy, with an almost dessert-like quality balanced by gentle drying tannins.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with bourbon oak and vanilla lingering pleasantly on the palate. A gentle alcohol warmth and faint spice notes fade slowly, leaving a refined aftertaste of honey and toasted grain.

Serve at 10–13°C in a goblet. The yeast character and carbonation are the stars — cold would suppress both.

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.