New Belgium Honey Orange Tripel 6Pk

New Belgium Honey Orange Tripel 6Pk is a bottle-conditioned Belgian-style tripel at 10.0% ABV, sold as a six-pack of 12 oz bottles. Scoring 90 on BeerAdvocate across over 200 ratings, this expression distinguishes itself through two standout ingredients: wild honey sourced from Africa's Bronze Honey Company and freshly ground Seville orange peel prepared just 24 hours before each brew day.

Quick Facts: ABV: 10.0%  |  Origin: Fort Collins, Colorado  |  Style: Belgian-Style Tripel  |  Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company

Production & Heritage

New Belgium Brewing Company was founded in 1991 in Fort Collins, Colorado, and has grown into one of America's most recognized craft breweries. The Honey Orange Tripel builds on the brewery's standard Trippel recipe but introduces two distinctive additions: wild honey from the African Bronze Honey Company — a certified B-Corp and member of the Fair Trade Federation — and Seville orange peel freshly ground by the Old Town Spice Shop, located less than one mile from the Fort Collins brewery. The beer is bottle conditioned, meaning a secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle, contributing to its complex yeast character and natural carbonation.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Honey and ripe banana greet the nose first, followed by warming spice and a distinct Seville orange citrus note. The Belgian yeast character adds a subtle phenolic layer underneath.

Taste: The entry is noticeably sweeter than a traditional tripel, led by honey and bready, cookie-like malt. Mid-palate, Belgian yeast phenols emerge alongside light clove spice and hints of orange peel. Bitterness remains restrained, allowing the malt and honey sweetness to carry the profile through to the peak.

Finish: The finish lands on the sweeter side, with lingering honey and a gentle warmth from the 10% ABV. Residual bread and orange notes taper gradually, leaving a rounded, slightly sticky impression.

How to Drink Honey Orange Tripel

Pour into a tulip glass or Belgian chalice at around 45–50°F to let the aromatics open fully; this beer rewards slow sipping given its potency and complexity. A Bee's Knees Shandy works well here — the existing honey character amplifies the classic lemon-honey combination. Try it in a Tripel Spritz, blending a few ounces with sparkling water and a twist of orange for a lower-intensity warm-weather drink. For a bold approach, use it as the base in a Belgian Michelada, where the orange and spice notes complement tomato, lime, and hot sauce.

Best For

• Sharing with craft beer enthusiasts exploring Belgian-inspired American ales
• Holiday dinners where a strong, aromatic ale can stand up to rich courses
• Gifting to someone who appreciates ethically sourced, ingredient-driven brewing
• Slow evening sipping as a dessert beer alongside cheese or pastry

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Honey Orange Tripel taste like? It drinks sweeter than a classic Belgian tripel, with prominent honey and bread flavors, light clove spice, and a subtle Seville orange presence throughout. The Belgian yeast adds phenolic complexity without overpowering the honey-forward profile.

How does Honey Orange Tripel compare to Westmalle Tripel? Westmalle Tripel is drier, more traditionally bitter, and relies on classic Belgian yeast character without adjunct additions. New Belgium's version leans decidedly sweeter and more aromatic due to the wild honey and orange peel, making it a more accessible but less austere interpretation of the style.

Is Honey Orange Tripel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — at 10.0% ABV with bottle conditioning and layered flavors, it is designed for slow, contemplative drinking from a proper glass rather than casual consumption.

Where is Honey Orange Tripel made? It is brewed at New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, a brewery founded in 1991. The Seville orange peel used in the recipe is freshly ground at the Old Town Spice Shop, located less than a mile from the brewery.

What foods pair well with Honey Orange Tripel? Aged Gouda or Gruyère cheeses complement the honey sweetness and malt backbone. Roasted chicken with herbs mirrors the spice notes. Orange-glazed duck creates a citrus echo. Crème brûlée or flan aligns with the beer's caramel and honey finish. Spiced charcuterie boards offer enough salinity to balance the residual sweetness.

What sizes does Honey Orange Tripel come in? The standard format is a six-pack of 12 oz bottles.

Is Honey Orange Tripel worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium craft offering, priced in line with other high-ABV Belgian-style American ales. The ethically sourced wild honey and fresh-ground Seville orange peel justify its place above standard tripels in value.

Why Honey Orange Tripel?

What separates this beer from the crowded field of American-brewed tripels is ingredient sourcing with genuine intention. The wild honey comes from the African Bronze Honey Company, a certified B-Corp and Fair Trade Federation member — an uncommon commitment for a production-scale craft brewery. The Seville orange peel is ground fresh within 24 hours of brew day at a local Fort Collins shop, preserving volatile citrus oils that would fade in dried or pre-processed peel. With a 90-point BeerAdvocate score and over 35,000 ratings on Untappd, it has proven durable with both critics and everyday drinkers. For anyone looking beyond the standard Belgian-inspired ale, this is a bottle-conditioned tripel that backs up its ingredient story with genuine complexity in the glass.