humanodon - I've located a tripel that I can get nearby. But how do I prepare myself for la fin du monde? Seriously. I will be home alone.
I have a computer, a glass, and an opener.
What else do I need? oh also, I have no sense of smell. Will that affect my taste experience?
Lacking a sense of smell will make you taste less of it. If you have the glasses, there are ways to make it stronger. For example, using a goblet or chalice will make a much more even and open nose for flavor. When pouring the beer as well, do not tilt the glass. Pour it straight until full, let the head die down some, pour again until you have a nice amount of beer and a good sized head. This is a good, even way to open everything up. Some say it enhances flavor by doing so, with the interaction of the head and distribution of the yeast, but most likely the difference is negligible, but you do have a much thicker, richer head from doing it, and that should be involved with any beer. La Fin du Monde is a very big, very good beer. A good choice. The flavor is stronger than a lot of tripels, but it's a very balanced one. Really a good place to start. Start off with a medium sized sip to get a complete profile of everything, and then take a few smaller sips as well. Belgians have a lot of profiles in them, and taking different sips you might pick out different flavors. You're going to notice some spice to it, like a nutmeg type flavor, as well as a sharpness in the beginning. The finish will be a someone fruity flavor. In between, the comparisons of the different notes will be described differently by different people. Be sure to try to pick out as much as you can, because these are complex beers and there will be lots to take note of. Additionally, you may feel tipsier than you would normally with a smaller beer. That might be worth noting as well.
It sounds like you are well prepared. Do you mean that you can't smell at all, or that your sense of smell is not so sensitive? In any case, I'd be really interested to get your perspective on how the beer tastes. La Fin du Monde is fairly tasty, if a bit alcoholic tasting for me, but I enjoy it all the same. As Meriadoc mentioned, a goblet will work well, as will a snifter, or those Stella glasses you've got. Actually, any old glass will do if you're not so concerned about the smell. As mentioned elsewhere, tripels tend to be very strong in terms of alcohol and the best tripels are very drinkable so it's easy to go faster than one might intend.
I have no sense of smell. Will that affect my taste experience?
I had forgotten about that. You'll be able to discuss mouth feel at least and partake in the effects of the alcohol which, let's face it, is the best part.