Photographs by Richard Forbes.
Over block break I visited Trinity Brewing, located on Garden of the Gods Road, about a 10-minute drive from campus. From the parking lot, the building looks small, but once inside it feels expansive. You have the option to sit at the bar, a group table, or on an outdoor patio. If you want to bring your dog along Trinity is dog-friendly but don’t forget: man’s best friend is not an acceptable designated driver.
Trinity has a great selection, especially on beers brewed in house. Currently, they have 19 house beers and five guest beers on tap. Trinity specializes in Saison-style ales. Saison is broadly defined as a Belgian Ale characterized by fruity and spicy flavors, high carbonation, and high alcohol content. Saisons currently make up half the menu with 12 different brews offered. If Saison isn’t your thing, don’t shy away, they have plenty of other options but I highly encourage you to try this Trinity specialty.
The “Pappy Legba, Cerise Saison Regal” was my favorite beer I tried during my visit. Coming in at a hefty 13 percent ABV, Pappy isn’t messing around. The beer is brewed with just a touch of flaked maize for a seductive and creamy texture. After the beer is fermented, it is aged in a barrel with pie cherries, lending it an interesting crimson color.
With the high alcohol content I was expecting much more of a bite than I got with the first sip. The fruity flavors and intense carbonation make the beer seem very session-able. However I think you would quickly be on the floor if you had more than a few of these.
If you’re an IPA lover, try the “Slap Yer Mammy, Double IPA”. At 125 IBU’s they claim it’s one of the hoppiest beers ever brewed. It has nine varieties of hops, nine types of malt, and comes in at 10.5 percent ABV. In sum, it will knock your socks off.
If you’re looking for a beer with lower alcohol content I recommend the ‘Chi, Belgian Pilsener’. At 5.1 percent, it’s much more session-able, and they claim it’s their most versatile beer. You can drink it any time of day and any time of the year, and it pairs well with all of their food.
Hold up. Speaking of food, Trinity has some great eats for a brewery. Normally, breweries have pretzels, beer soup, and any other recipe they can work their beer into. Trinity is different. Their menu features poutine, a selection of mac and cheeses, salads, chicken and beef sliders, pork rib bites, fried shishito peppers, and an unique take on bacon, among other things.
Overall, Trinity is a great brewery and if you haven’t been yet it should be at the top of your list. Did I mention on Tuesday afternoons they give out a complimentary strip of smoked, thick-cut bacon with every pint you buy? Stay thirsty.