By Kathy Chouteau
The Standard’s new series, “A Few of My Favorite Things” takes a quick look at some of this reporter’s most beloved treasures—be they food, drink, places or faces—from Richmond and beyond. First up: East Brother Beer Company’s Belgian Tripel ale.
When East Brother’s Rob Lightner told the Standard about the Belgian Tripel earlier this summer, referring to it as a “divinely blended” beer that pairs well with a variety of food, I had to taste it for myself.
On a recent visit to the craft brewery’s taproom, I found that Lightner’s words rang true when I ordered up the Belgian Tripel. Even at 8.6% ABV, this limited-release beer that’s part of the seasonal Freighter Series tasted “light” yet flavorful and went down smooth—all while pairing exceptionally well with my birria tacos from onsite food truck La Santa Torta. And while I’m a fan of a variety of East Brother’s beer, the Belgian Tripel—described by Lightner as having “complex notes of cloves, bananas and fresh dough with a delicious warm hint of alcohol”—is my favorite one to date.
If you want to taste it for yourself, don’t wait! According to Taproom Manager Kamal Otunba, East Brother finished off the last keg of Belgian Tripel recently, but still has 16 oz. four-and-six-packs of the “well received” tasty brew for sale via the taproom or online. He expects their supply to last through mid-August.
And don’t fret—if you don’t catch the Belgian Tripel this time around, Otunba said it’s an annual brew that will return next year. Read my earlier report on the Belgian Tripel rollout here.
East Brother’s family-and-dog-friendly taproom featuring indoor/outdoor spaces is located at 1001 Canal Blvd. in Richmond and is open Wed.-Fri. from 4-9 p.m.; Sat. from 12-9 p.m.; and Sun. from 12-8 p.m.
