Dubbel

Brassiere du Rochefort, Dubbel

Rochefort 8 by Brassiere du Rochefort

Pour appears a hazy brown but once held to light reveals a dark red, same tan head as the Rochefort 6. Strong fruit aroma, subtle yeasty spiciness and malt sweetness. More body than the 6, flavor follows aroma with fruit spicy and malt, bitterness provides a good balance, finishes nice and dry. Balanced and very drinkable though you better not drink too fast as the 9.2% AVB is nowhere to be found. Much like a the 6, this dubbel is a little outside the lines typical to the style.

4 Stars.

3 Stars, Brassiere du Rochefort, Dubbel

Rochefort 6 by Brassiere du Rochefort

Pours a deep amber with a large tan head. Aroma is predominantly malty with fruit and subtle alcohol tones. Taste is strong of both fruit and malt, finishes slightly sweet and alcoholic. This is the oldest of Rochefort’s three beers and represents about 1% of their total output. Overall I would say this is a bit of a departure from your typical Trappist dubbel and that is not a bad thing at all.

3.5 Stars.

3 Stars, Dubbel, St. Bernardus

Prior 8 by St Bernardus

Pours murky brown with an off-white head. Aroma of toffee, malt, dark fruit. High carbonation, nicely balanced, slightly sweet, malty, dried fruit, some bitterness on the end. Overall a fine easy drinking beer, but to me, it is a thinner, less flavorful, version of Abt 12 and who wants that?

3.5 Stars.

2 Stars, Brouwerij der Sint-Benedictusabdij de Achelse Kluis, Dubbel

Achel Trappist Bruin Bier by Brouwerij der Sint-Benedictusabdij de Achelse Kluis

Poured a dull brown with a nice beige head. Sweet aromas of malt, caramel fig and fruit. Initially sharp on the tongue  but overall fairly mild. Predominantly sweet fruit flavors then bitterness takes over. One would think the sweetness and bitterness would balance out, but no.  Label may say bruin but this is a dubbel by another name. 

2.5 Stars.

3 Stars, Dubbel, Westmalle

Dubbel by Westmalle

Pours a clear bronze with a small amount of off-white head.  Amazing, full aroma, of malt, candi syrup, dark fruit.  I have to say I was headed down the typical path of Dubbel flavors, and so the taste begins, then Dr Pepper popped into my head and now that’s all I can taste. Somehow sweet flavors but finishes dry.  I would like to try another bottle just to confirm the Dr Pepper taste.

Not a huge Dr Pepper fan so 3 stars.

*Update 2/3/16* Had another bottle, velvety mouthfeel, still detecting Dr Pepper, though no where near the same level as before, some bitterness.

4 Stars, Brasserie Du Bocq, Dubbel

Waterloo – Double 8 Dark by Brasserie Du Bocq

Pours a dark brown with great clarity and one finger of creamy looking head.  A deep breath is not needed to pick up the warm alcohol aroma with strong candi overtones.  Ample carbonation, sweet and surprisingly light.  No alcohol punch to follow the smell.  Typical dubbel flavors abound, caramel, candi syrup, raisin and dates.  Solid beer, I could definitely drink a couple of these.

Interesting story on the label. “This 100% natural craft beer originated in one of the oldest breweries in Belgium, the “Brasserie du Marche” in Braine-L’Alleud (Waterloo), which was founded in 1456. In 1815, during the battle of Waterloo, the allied troops drank this beer, which was recognized for giving “Strength” and “Courage”… Waterloo, the Beer of Victory!”

4 Stars.

4 Stars, Dubbel, Westvletern

8 by Westvletern

Pours a beautiful dark amber with a long lasting beige head that clings to the side of the glass. Subtle classic Trappist yeast aroma; raisin, fig, candi sugar, fruit, spice. First thing you notice when taking a sip is the creamy head, highly carbonated (but not overly so), followed by a burst of flavor similar to aroma but more pronounced. Fades into a alcoholic, slightly sweet and mildly bitter aftertaste. No one flavor or aroma dominates the rest. You are going to find the bottom of the glass too quickly.

4.5 Stars