Westmalle Tripel vs Wild Heaven Invocation: Which Should You Drink?

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Westmalle Tripel

Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle

Belgium · Belgian Tripel

hopIQ rank #283

72%

Overall similarity

side by side, across 56 flavour tags

Wild Heaven Invocation

Wild Heaven Beer

HOPIQ TAKE

Westmalle Tripel if you want a structured, almost wine-like experience with genuine monastery craftsmanship, Wild Heaven Invocation if you want something rounder and more approachable that still hits Belgian complexity. Both are strong golden ales, but Westmalle is the reference standard—it's what brewers study and what you taste when you want to understand the style. Invocation plays with the formula in a friendlier, less austere way. The ABV difference is small, but the *feel* isn't.

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WHEN TO CHOOSE WHICH

Pick Westmalle Tripel when…

→You're studying beer styles or want the canonical version of Belgian Tripel
→You want complexity that rewards sipping slowly over time
→You prefer restraint and elegance over immediate fruit sweetness

Pick Wild Heaven Invocation when…

→You want Belgian character without the austerity—something drinkable at social pace
→You're new to strong Belgian ales and want a gentler entry point
→You're drinking casually and don't want to overthink it

SIDE BY SIDE

	Westmalle Tripel	Wild Heaven Invocation
ABV	9.2%	8.5%
Bitterness	Noticeably bitter	Lightly bitter
Colour	Amber	Pale gold
Style	Belgian Tripel	Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Origin	Belgium	United States

WHAT IT TASTES OF

9 shared · 2 distinct

Both beers

fruityspicydryyeastyboozyhoneycrispclovebanana

STRUCTURE — HOW IT'S BUILT

Westmalle TripelWild Heaven Invocation

Bitterness

Body

TASTING NOTES

Westmalle Tripel

FruitySpicyDry

Westmalle Tripel has this crystalline quality that catches you off guard for a 9.2% beer—it drinks deceptively dry, almost chalky on the finish. The fruit notes are restrained and refined, more pear and dried citrus than the jammy sweetness you might expect. There's a peppery spice backbone that feels architectural, like it was built to last in your mouth. It's the beer that makes you sit up straighter.

Wild Heaven Invocation

DryFruitySpicy

Wild Heaven's Invocation is softer from the jump—you get honey and stone fruit without any sharp edges, and the alcohol warmth is present but integrated, not sharp. There's a creamier mouthfeel than Westmalle, almost like they're cushioning the strength. The finish is cleaner than you'd expect for a golden strong, and that lower IBU count lets the grain character breathe. It's a beer that doesn't demand your full attention to be good.

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