Straffe Hendrik Tripel 33cl 9%vol

De Halve Maan brew in the centre of Bruges and famously pipe their beer two miles under the medieval streets to a bottling plant outside the city, because there was nowhere left to expand. Straffe Hendrik means strong Henry, and the Tripel earns it: nine percent, hazy gold, bottle conditioned. Pale despite the strength, because tripel gets its alcohol from candi sugar rather than dark malt. Ripe pear, banana, clove, a firm bitterness and a dry, warming finish. Serve at 8-10C in a chalice, and respect the strength.