Allagash Dubbel Reserve

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

12oz bottle. Another nice brew from Allagash. Pours a beautiful chocolate brown with a nice off-white/tan head. I got strong notes of dried fruit (raisin and perhaps dates). Strong coffee and toffee flavors. The coffee may have been just a touch overdone, but it mellowed a bit as the beer warmed up. A nice malty offering. Recommended highly. I have a world of respect for the Allagash family of beers and this did nothing to change that opinion.

Hearty, full, and even. It’s smooth with clean tones. Almost a nutty flavor to it. I think you’d want to drink this with a hearty meal - a meat and potatoes kind of thing. But hey...that is just my immature palate’s wild guess. I know Allagash makes a lot of different stuff, so I would be quicker to try the others before coming back to this one.

A nice attempt at a Belgian. I say that because, unlike other NA makers of Belgian ales (Ommegang and Unibroue particularly), you don’t forget with this one that you are NOT drinking a "real" Belgian. The beer poured with a HUGE foamy head that was impressive. The mouthfeel was a tad on the carbonated side and the aroma was spicey. The taste was good...not overdone on Belgian sugary goodness...but a little lacking in complexity and fullness compared to the "real deal". A funky yeasty taste was also noticeable...with mild hops and spices discernible.

Mahogany with good, foamy head / Nose of malt, raisins, and caramel / Full, creamy body with great, lingering finish / Big flavors of toffee, coffee, chocolate, raisins, vanilla, and sour malt / Pretty much a textbook example of an excellent Belgian.

Pours a light golden amber. Smells of nuts and sports a light foamy head. The sweet malt flavor finishes vy smooth without an overly alcoholic taste.

Date: 10/19/1997
Mode: Draft
Source: Great Lost Bear, Maine

dark amber, whispy head, sweet estery malt aroma, rich malt flavor, excellent example of the style

Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 5/10; Flavor: 5/10; Palate: 5/10; Overall: 10/20
Rating: 2.7/5.0
Score: *4
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I give this dubbel high marks...dark and rich yet silky smooth, it is as good as some of the Belgian imports yet more affordable. Raisin and chocolate flavors dominate. This gets better and better each time I drink it.

Pours a blood amber with a small whitish head. Aroma is hoppy and malty with dark fruit. It has a darker fruit taste that is almost smoky with a slightly bitter and spicy finish. Easy drinking.