Belgian-style beers are pretty rare in Memphis brewery taprooms, so it was a treat to try the new High 5 Belgian Tripel on a recent visit to Crosstown Brewing Co.
This golden heavyweight, 8.1% ABV, was brewed to celebrate Crosstown’s fifth anniversary, and offers the spicy, bready and sweet notes associated with a Belgian.
Clark Ortkiese, Crosstown Brewing’s co-founder, said Crosstown had wanted to do brew something special for its 5th birthday.
“We knew we wanted to do a bigger beer, and we wanted to challenge ourselves,” Ortkiese said.
“We’ve never really done a big Belgian before. We’ve done a few saisons, but the Tripel really seemed like a fitting beer to commemorate a milestone anniversary with its big flavors and rich history.”
Ortkiese said the High 5 was brewed with Belgian pale malt and a little Munich and cane sugar. In addition, the brewers used Chimay yeast and, for bittering, German Magnum hops.
“It’s a really simple beer. Yeast selection and management, combined with quality ingredients, are the keys for us,” he said.
High 5 is available on draft in the Crosstown taproom and in four-packs of 16-oz cans to go for a limited time.
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