Tripel Karmeliet Celebrates Two Decades in America

The famous Tripel Karmeliet marks its 20th year of overseas travel and consumption. For all the details, see the release below:

Buggenhout, Belgium (April 5, 2017) –  2017 marks the 20th anniversary of Tripel Karmeliet’s entrance into the American beer market. Regarded as one of the world’s finest Belgian ales, Tripel Karmeliet (Dutch for "Triple Carmelite") is a golden beer brewed by Brouwerij Bosteels in Buggenhout, Belgium. Launched in 1996 to great acclaim, it is a Belgian Tripel (8.4 % ABV) brewed with barley, wheat and oats. 

“The success of Tripel Karmeliet over the years has been fantastic,” said Bob Leggett, CEO of Artisanal Imports, which has been importing Bosteels’ brews since the mid-90’s. “It has a beautifully sophisticated flavor profile, with a perfect balance – not too aggressive, but very complex, rich and easy to drink. It represents the high-end of quality and refinement in the U.S. consumer’s beer selection. But it’s about more than just well-made ale. The tradition, local heritage and experience behind Bosteels adds a dimension that’s hard to find anywhere else.”

Tripel Karmeliet has consistently garnered critical acclaim for its high standard of quality, generating an unrelenting demand that has spurred continuous growth of the brewery. The beer’s first medals came in 1998, when it won gold at the World Beer Cup and the World Beer Championships, followed by an “Exceptional” medal from the Beverage Testing Institute in 2000. In 2008, the beer won the title of “World’s Best Ale” at the World Beer Awards, leading to demand exceeding supply, and ultimately, an increase in production of over 30 percent.

This beer is still brewed according to an authentic beer recipe from 1679 derived from an old Carmelite convent in the East Flanders region of Dendermonde, before undergoing bottle-conditioning. It could even be considered a six-grain beer, as each of its three grains is used in their raw as well as malted form.

Tripel Karmeliet has a complex gold to bronze color, with a creamy, cumulous head. This is partly due to the cereals but also stems from the limited use of Styrian hops, which contributes to an abundant herbaceous and fruity aroma (banana and vanilla) of the bottle-conditioned yeast. This beer’s flavor is a masterful circuit of diversity, as it possesses not only the lightness and freshness of wheat, but also the creaminess of oats, along with a spicy, lemony dryness almost reminiscent of quinine.

Interested in selling Tripel Karmeliet at your restaurant, bar or retail store? Interested in becoming a distribution partner for Brouwerij Bosteels? Please contact Lanny Hoff with interest.

For interview opportunities with Brouwerij Bosteels CEO Antoine Bosteels or Artisanal Imports CEO Bob Leggett, or for more information about Tripel Karmeliet and its historic world-renowned Belgian brewer, please contact Lanny Hoff at +1 (612) 245-5433 or by email at [email protected].

About Brouwerij Bosteels: Brouwerij Bosteels is nestled in the village of Buggenhout, Belgium and is family operated. Located on the same site since 1791, it specializes in unique beers which don't necessarily align with "normal" Belgian beer styles. Bosteels is one of the best-known special brewers in Belgium with world acclaimed beers such as Kwak, Tripel Karmeliet and DeuS. Learn more about the brewery at www.bestbelgianspecialbeers.be.