Brasserie Dubuisson - Scaldis Tripel

The Dubuisson Scaldis Tripel is a strong Belgian golden ale that offers a complex and rich tasting experience. It pours a deep golden color with a slight amber hue. As it is poured, it forms a thick, creamy white head with excellent retention, leaving fine lacing on the glass. The nose is fragrant and inviting, with prominent fruity notes of ripe apples, pears, and bananas. We also detect subtle floral hints, alongside a gentle spiciness from the Belgian yeast, complemented by soft honey and caramel undertones.

Dubuisson Scaldis Tripel opens with a bright, fruity sweetness dominated by stone fruits like apricot and peach, paired with hints of citrus zest. The floral notes abundant in the nose carry over to the palate as delicate white flowers and citrus blossom. There is also a noticeable malt backbone providing mild caramel and biscuit-like sweetness, which balances the beer’s fruitiness. The Belgian yeast adds layers of complexity with its peppery spice and clove characteristics. An underlying note of anise rises to compliment the spice flavors. Despite its 10.5% ABV, the alcohol warmth is well-integrated and does not overwhelm the palate.

The Dubuisson Scaldis is medium-bodied with a smooth, slightly creamy texture. The carbonation is lively but not overpowering, giving the beer a refreshing feel despite its strength. The finish is dry and crisp with lingering fruity notes and a touch of bitterness, balancing the sweetness upfront. The alcohol warmth comes through gently in the aftertaste, but the overall finish remains clean. Dubuisson Scaldis Tripel is a bold yet well-balanced beer, delivering a harmonious mix of fruit, spice, and malt. Its strength is tempered by its smooth drinkability, making it a refined Belgian Tripel that offers both complexity and refreshment.

Dubuisson Scaldis Tripel will continue to mature nicely with some time in your cellar, amplifying this beer’s floral yeasty notes, stone fruit and citrus notes, and lightly caramelized malt structure. For food pairings, we’d look to dishes such as roasted turkey with all the trimmings, double and triple cream cheeses, and charcuterie with cured and smoked meats. For dessert the Dubuisson Scaldis Tripel will be great right alongside Dutch Apple Pie or peach cobbler. Cheers!

Brasserie Dubuisson, originally founded as the brewery of the Domaine de Ghyssegnies estate, just across from its current location, has been brewing continuously since 1769. To give some perspective, this was long before Belgium became a nation and before the rise of the famous Trappist breweries. The Dubuisson family has owned the brewery since at least the 1890s. The name "Dubuisson" translates to "bush" in English. After World War I, a British battalion liberated the brewery, and as a gesture of appreciation, the brewery adopted the English spelling of their name for their beers. At the time, the English spelling of “bière” was commonly used in Belgium, leading to the creation of the alliterative name “Bush Beer” in 1933. While the name may not evoke thoughts of high-quality, artisanal beer for American consumers, given its similarity to Busch Beer, a widely known light lager, in Belgium, Bush is recognized for its excellence and strength—often at 12%–13% ABV. However, when Bush Beer was introduced to the U.S. market, it faced legal complications with Anheuser-Busch, leading to a rebranding as "Scaldis" in the U.S. and other export markets. The new name comes from the Latin spelling of Belgium’s Schelde River.

Today, under the leadership of Hugues Dubuisson, the eighth generation of the family to manage the brewery, Brasserie Dubuisson remains in Hainaut, Belgium's most fertile agricultural region. It is no surprise that Scaldis beers are known for their complex orchard-fruit aromas and nutty, crisp malt flavors. Despite recent growth, Dubuisson remains committed to quality and its deep historical roots.

Hugues Dubuisson also co-founded the Belgian Family Brewers Guild, an organization that promotes the contributions of independent brewers and helps consumers distinguish between authentic, independent Belgian beers and those merely claiming to be “Belgian.” For the past 30 years, Brasserie Dubuisson has worked to prevent confusion, whether it is clarifying the difference between “Busch” and “Bush” beers or standing apart from larger corporate Belgian breweries. In doing so, they have helped shape the global beer scene, offering high-quality, distinctive brews.

Their Scaldis Tripel, featured this month, exemplifies their tradition of excellence—and we are sure you’ll love this Belgian favorite. This beer, along with its counterpart this month, the Scaldis Caractere, was bottled and imported in 750ml bottles specifically for the Rare Beer Club and will only be available through the Rare Beer Club. It is extremely limited, so it’s wise to stock up before they’re gone.