Bornem Dubbel

Brewed by Brouwerij Van Steenberge
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Ertvelde, Belgium

Bottle. Poured a clear dark brown with a thick eggshell head. Aroma had notes of sugar and molasses with a slight bitter undertone. Flavor was very sweet with notes of caramel, molasses and candy. Very smooth but also very thick on the tongue.

11.2 oz bottle. dark brown pour. fizzy, light. slight raisiny taste. watery.

Bottle. Big, large, frothy, lightly brown head, fully lasting. The body is hazy, dark brown. Pleasant aroma of raisin, overripe plums, clove, licorice, mildew, caramel and chocolate. The flavor is moderately sweet and lightly bitter. It finishes lightly to moderately sweet and moderately bitter with light acidity. Strong malty taste of toasted grain and licorice with flavors of raisins and plums. Medium to full body, chewy turning velvety texture and lively carbonation. This is a rich, thick dubbel, much more so than most others I have had. Not as much sophistication and separation of aromas and flavors as others as well. But this was still a pleasant drinker.

750 ml caged and corked bottle. Served in a goblet, the beer pours a murky brown/red color with about an inch tan head. Lacing is good, head retention is excellent. The aroma is malty, it smells like dark fruit (raisin, cherry), caramel, and a bit of peppery spice. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there’s also some molasses noticable and a bit of a tart/sour taste which surprisingly works well for this brew. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it has high but soft carbonation which lessens some as the beer warms up. Drinkability is good, it’s easy and enjoyable to drink. I think this is a good overall beer, I’d try it again in the future.

330ml Bottle: Aroma of malts, light brown sugar, light yeast, and slight caramel. Poured brown/mahogany in color with a medium to large-sized, rocky, dense, tan head that diminished but lasted throughout. Cloudy. Very sparkling. Full of tiny particles throughout. Flavor is slightly sweet and lightly bitter. Tastes of malts, cocoa, light coffee, slight roasting, and slight hops. Medium body. Tingly, lightly dry texture. Lively carbonation make my mouth blow up like a balloon. Malt, cocoa, and slight hop finish is slightly dry. 8%ABV it undetectable.

Pours a deep ruby-amber wiith a small ivory head. Aroma is of generic malts and plums. Flavor has sweet dark malt, brown sugar, light hops, and molasses. Medium viscosity and carbonation, average mouthfeel. Overall, good.

Pours a cloudy apple cider brown. Generous, meringue-y jiggling head that retains well. Nose is a slightly old white wine from the refrigerator, right when the vinegaryness starts to set in. Maybe Riesling? The nose betrays the appearance. On the palate is a Sprite soda like citrus character that melds well with an overall sourness to the whole palate. Finish is short and not very appetizing. Where’s the finish? I can’t taste the finish!?!

Bottle from a 6-pack of Van Steenberge brews. Dark brown, nearly opaque, with a full tan head. Sweet banana, candy sugar, and definitely some yeast on the aroma. Flavor is predominantly sweet fruity notes, accompanied with a pleasant spiciness and a notable presence of hops. Also found chocolate notes. Caramel in the finish. Bright and almost sharp carbonation, which suits the style. I liked this one - it’s a bit sweet, but that’s appropriate for a dubbel.