Corsendonk Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale)

Brewed By: Brouwerij Corsendonk in Turnhout, Belgium
Purchased: Single bottle (11.2oz) from a Corsendonk mixer from Friar Tucks in Urbana, IL; 2011
Style/ABV: Belgian Tripel, 7.5%

 

Brouwerij Corsendonk is a brewery based out of Oud-Turnhout, Belgium. According to Ratebeer, their beer is brewed at Brasserie Du Bocq, so I went digging for some history on the brewery.

 

According to Corsendonk's website, the Priory of Crosendonk was found in 1398, and included a brewery and malt-house. The Corsekndonk monks not only brewed beer, but copied books (this was before the printing press, yo), helped teach Latin, and helped teach the study of the Bible. In 1784, Austrian Emperor Joseph II shut down the Priory of Corsendonk; and in 1789 during the French Revoultion the Corsendonk properties were put up for auction. In the 19th century Corsendonk was born again, and post-1970 the Priory of Corsendonk was resotred. According to both Wikipedia and Ratebeer, the Corsendonk beers are brewed elsewhere, but it appears that the Priory is maintained. It appears that the actual Corsendonk beer is brewed at the Brasserie Du Bocq in Purnode, Belgium.

That's about all you need to know about Corsendonk. But the short version is that they are a Belgium brewery with a rich history, and they produces some well-respected Abbey-style beers. Corsendonk is most known for their Agnus (Abbey Tripel), Pater (Abbey Dubbel), and Christmas Ale (Belgian Strong Ale).

 

I happen to have all three beers in my possession, and tonight I am drinking their Agnus (Abbey Pale Ale/Tripel). I actually feel like an idiot now that I am looking over the bottle, it clearly states: "Brewed and bottled by Brewery Du Bocq." Here's a drink to getting the bottle out and looking it over before digging into the history of the beer! 

 

This is a bottle conditioned beer (according to the bottle, ha!) and reacts like one. When I cracked open the bottle a nice chimney of rising carbonation poked out the neck of the bottle. This beer looks a lot like a Tripel. The body on this one is a pale-golden yellow-orange/straw color; the body of this beer has a tea quality to it. The beer is slightly hazy with some yeast residuals floating around. There is a lot of carbonation as evident from the steady streams of rising bubbles. This is pretty effervescent, as a Triple should be. Lastly, there was a gorgeous 4-finger WHITE head when the beer was poured. The head is quite thick and creamy, and is leaving a bit of lacing on the glass.

 

I picked up this beer a couple months ago, and who knows how long it was sitting on the shelves. The bottle states that this beer is best enjoyed before 11/05/12, but how old is the bottle? I'm smelling a really nice candied orange note on the nose, some light lemongrass, a little pale malt, and maybe a hint of clove or spice. I'm also smelling that dusty-cardboard-old book note you get from beers that have spent some quality time in the cellar. The hops do smell slightly faded, but there is a really smooth candy-malt note. I've had some heated Tripels (I'm looking at you, Maredsous!) and this one smells quite mellow and balanced.  

 

Corsendonk "Agnus" Abbey Pale Ale (Tripel)

And indeed, this tastes absolutely sublime. There is no alcohol in here as far as taste is concerned. Tripels are supposed to sneak the alcohol into the beer. The alcohol is there in spirit and warming, but the style isn't really meant to be heated. I'm guessing the age of this beer factors into why it is so mellow, so keep that in mind if you are drinking a fresh bottle. There are really nice clove notes, candied orange and lemon notes, a hint of pepper on the back end, and some awesome pale malt notes. Big pale malts balance the candied fruits, and you pick up some yeast, pulls towards dough, and grain. Really nice. There is also a slightly dusty or aged quality going on. 

 

This is smooth, easy-drinking stuff. So easy-drinking you forget that this clocks in at a pretty damning 7.5% ABV. Proceed cautiously. This bottle I have right here is medium-bodied, smooth and mellow, has good depth on the palate, and features medium complexity. The front of the palate is creamy, carbonated, full of clove and candied oranges; the middle rolls into the big pale malts with some nice remnants of the candied fruits; the back of this beer is slightly peppery and finishes dry and dusty. This is slightly warming on the back-back end, but the alcohol is really non-existent in the taste. I love that. 

 

Rating: Above-Average

Score: 83%

 

This is just a step below the Westmalle Tripel. If it was a total palate-blaster like the Westmalle, it would surpass the Westmalle. But literally, a single step. This is an awesome, awesome beer.

 

I'm really impressed (and surprised) by how hidden the alcohol is in this beer. I really like the smooth, mellow, and sublime nature of this beer. The candied fruit notes are really tasty, and the spices are present but do not overpower the palate. 

 

Earlier in the summer I had Maredsous's Tripel. The beer was good, but heated. It was so heated that I put it on the back burner to let it mellow out for a bit. Tripels are supposed to pack a big alcohol punch, but the alcohol is supposed to be well-masked by the beer.

 

To conclude: The Coresendonk Agnus is one of the better Tripels I have had. This is a really balanced, smooth, and mature take on the Tripel style. I feel obligated to report back if I have a fresher bottle to see if the alcohol is as mellow as an older bottle. This beer is highly recommended, so cheers.