Allagash Dubbel Reserve

Brewed by Allagash Brewing Company
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Portland, Maine USA

Bottled (12 oz). Mahogony pour, tan bubbly head. Lacy. Fruity nose--cherry, alomnd, yeast. Flavor is malt, cherry, cinnamon, yeast, spice. Dry finish. Medium, soft mouthfeel.

Everything about this beer just seemed weak. Aroma was decent with light citrus coming through. Pour is a basic amber with an off white head. Watery and thin feeling citrus flavor that ended with a sharp bite.

(Bottle). Fruity aroma. Dark red with small off white head. Flavor is pleasant enough, with fruits and sugar, but nothing special in the Abbey Dubbel category. There are a great many better choices

750ml bottle. Pours a dark hazy brown. Smells of banna, malt and faint smell of alcohol. Flavor is sweet with a tangy finish.

12oz. Pours an unclear brown with a tiny head. Ripened dark fruit, caramel malt, molasses, and alcohol aroma. Flavor is a good sweetness with some unexpected sour tanginess in there. Not bad but surprising. Goes down smooth and dry with low carbonation. Not too bad.

On tap @ Brick Store. Had a huge frothing white head. Poured a deep plum color. Nose of strong malts and dark fruits. Upon first taste I am impressed with the balance of sweet fruits and smooth drinkability. The menu said this was 7.5%, but the alcohol was well concealed beneath a blanket of fruit sweetness. Delicious, and I’ll certainly try it again!

Bottle sampled at NFB&WF ’08 at Martha Clara Vineyards. Pours a hazy amber. Very musty aroma; reminds me of a basement in an old house. I’m wondering if this bottle has been laying around for a while. Flavor is a bit better. Still some mustiness, but also sweet with some brown sugar and malt. Disappointing, but worth revisiting down the road.

Bottle @ Brewery and Draught @ Dogfish Cafe. Very sweet with fruit flavors predominating. Raosted malts and coffee astringengy present is backgraound. Very drinkable and well worth seeking out.