Duvel Tripel Hop

In the world of craft beer, few brews consistently excite and innovate quite like Duvel Tripel Hop. This unique Belgian Strong Pale Ale from the Duvel Moortgat Brewery in Belgium stands out by using three types of hops during fermentation, with the third hop variety changing annually. This creative approach results in a unique flavor and aroma profile for each release, perfectly blending Belgian brewing tradition with modern beer innovation.

The Origins and Philosophy of Duvel Moortgat Brewery

Duvel Tripel Hop was not the initial product of the Duvel Moortgat Brewery but rather a result of their commitment to experimentation and innovation. The brewery was founded in 1871 by Jan-Leonard Moortgat in Puurs, Antwerp, Belgium.

Duvel Moortgat Brewery is renowned for producing Belgian Strong Pale Ales with distinctive flavors and unique characteristics. The brewery's flagship beer is Duvel, which means devil in the local Dutch dialect. This name originated from a taster's comment in 1920, who described the beer as Nen echten duvel or a real devil, due to its intense flavor and high alcohol content of 8.5%. It's deceptively easy to drink, yet remarkably potent.

The Birth of Duvel Tripel Hop: A Blend of Artistry and Innovation

In 2007, Duvel Moortgat Brewery created a special edition beer named Duvel Tripel Hop. The distinguishing feature of this beer is the addition of a third hop variety to the original recipe, which typically uses two hops: Saaz and Styrian Golding. This third hop variety imparts a more complex flavor and aroma, achieved through the Dry Hopping technique. Dry hopping involves adding hops later in the fermentation process to extract intense aroma and flavor without excessive bitterness.

The inspiration for Duvel Tripel Hop stemmed from the rising global popularity of India Pale Ale (IPA) styles in the early 21st century. IPAs are characterized by their generous use of hops to create complex aromas and flavors. However, Duvel Moortgat did not simply aim to create another IPA. They were determined to integrate the unique character of Duvel Original with the intensity of hops, crafting a beer that flawlessly retained its Belgian essence while offering a distinct new dimension.

From Limited Edition Success to Core Product

The first Duvel Tripel Hop, released in 2007, featured the Amarillo hop variety from the United States. This version had a higher alcohol content of 9.5% and boasted a refreshing citrus fruit aroma. Upon its launch, it was met with overwhelming demand, selling out within just three days.

The novel flavor and prominent hop aroma, combined with the signature balance and drinkability of Duvel, led to Duvel Tripel Hop's immense popularity. This success underscored the potential of Duvel Tripel Hop and encouraged Duvel Moortgat Brewery to consider continuous production of this beer.

Following the initial success, beer fans worldwide clamored for Duvel Tripel Hop to be brought back into production. A Facebook campaign was launched, promising that if 10,000 supporters were gathered, the brewery would re-release the beer. In just a few weeks, over 17,000 supporters joined, prompting the brewery to decide to produce the second batch of Duvel Tripel Hop in 2010.

From 2010 onwards, Duvel Tripel Hop became an annual limited-edition release, with the third hop variety changing each year to offer new flavors to beer enthusiasts. Examples of hops used include

• 2010 Sorachi Ace - A Japanese hop with refreshing lemon and spicy notes.
• 2012 Citra - This hop variety is known for its vibrant citrus and tropical fruit aromas.
• 2013 Sorachi Ace - Like Citra, Sorachi Ace made a return in this year.
• 2014 Mosaic - This hop offers complex aromas of tropical fruit and berries.
• 2015 Equinox - This hop imparts notes of tropical fruit, lime, and pepper.
• 2016 HBC 291 (also known as Enigma) - This hop provides aromas of citrus and tropical fruits.
• 2017 Citra - Citra remained popular and was brought back again.
• 2018 Citra - Once again, Citra was selected as the third hop.
• 2019 Cashmere - This hop offers notes of lime, coconut, and cantaloupe.
• 2020 Cashmere - Cashmere was used again.
• 2021 HBC 472 - This hop provides aromas of oak, coconut, and vanilla.

The annual change in hop varieties makes Duvel Tripel Hop an exciting and intriguing beer for drinkers to anticipate. The wait for what aroma and flavor Duvel Tripel Hop will bring next year has become one of its charms, contributing to its sustained popularity.

Due to the continuous success of Duvel Tripel Hop as an annual special edition, Duvel Moortgat received overwhelming requests from drinkers worldwide to make this beer a core product available year-round. The most popular hop throughout the years proved to be Citra, with its refreshing citrus and tropical fruit notes that perfectly complemented the character of Duvel Original.

In 2017, Duvel Moortgat made a significant decision to integrate Duvel Tripel Hop Citra into its core product line, discontinuing the annual rotation of the third hop variety. This made Duvel Tripel Hop Citra a year-round offering, available alongside Duvel Original. This decision reflects the immense success and popularity of Duvel Tripel Hop Citra, widely acclaimed by beer enthusiasts globally.

The Unique Characteristics of Duvel Tripel Hop Citra

Duvel Tripel Hop Citra fully retains the distinctive qualities of Duvel, including its beautiful golden amber color, fine white foam, and 9.5% alcohol content. What it adds is the prominent aroma of Citra hops, delivering refreshing notes of grapefruit, orange, and tropical fruits, along with a perfectly balanced bitterness. This makes it a favorite among drinkers seeking complex flavors while appreciating Duvel's signature balance and drinkability.

A crucial factor contributing to Duvel Tripel Hop's prominent and complex hop aroma is the Dry Hopping technique. This process involves adding hops to the beer during the secondary fermentation or after the primary fermentation is complete. Dry hopping doesn't significantly increase the beer's bitterness but effectively extracts the volatile aromatic compounds from the hops.

In the case of Duvel Tripel Hop, Duvel Moortgat Brewery uses three hop varieties. The first two, Saaz-Saaz and Styrian Golding, are added early in fermentation to establish bitterness and a foundational aroma. The third hop variety, such as Citra, Mosaic, or Sorachi Ace, is added during the dry hopping stage. Since these hops are not boiled, their aromatic compounds remain intact, which is key to Duvel Tripel Hop's complex hop aroma and its clear distinction from Duvel Original.

Furthermore, Duvel's brewing process still employs a specific yeast strain that has been preserved for over 90 years. This is another factor contributing to the unique taste and aroma of Duvel beers. Additionally, bottle conditioning, the final stage where the beer continues to develop and remain lively in the bottle, results in finer, softer foam and adds complexity to the flavor profile over time.

Duvel Tripel Hop: A Symbol of Belgian Beer Innovation

Duvel Tripel Hop is not just a popular beer; it is a symbol of innovation and the courageous experimental spirit of Duvel Moortgat Brewery. The fact that this historic brewery dared to step beyond traditional boundaries and present a beer that blends classic Belgian character with new global beer trends is a commendable achievement.

Moreover, this beer has played a significant role in pushing the trend of Hop-forward Beers in Europe, particularly within the craft and specialty beer segments.

Currently, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra is one of Duvel's most popular beers, widely acclaimed by drinkers worldwide, whether they are craft beer enthusiasts or those seeking a distinctive Belgian beer experience.