Westmalle Dubbel

Brewed by Brouwerij der Trappisten van Westmalle
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Malle, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass

Can’t believe I’ve not rated this. An old favourite. Almost opaque dark brown with persistent rocky head. Great aroma of malt, sultanas, yeast, caramel. Very smooth drinking. Love it.

Pale brown hear, large and thick. The aroma is fruity, making it very promising. The taste is very complew, with a fruity dominant. Slight alcoholic impression, but not overwhelming. Some bitterness but very well-balanced. I’d have this beer any time again !

330ml Bottle: Pours crimson-brown with a thick foamy head; incredible foam stability throughout here. Aroma is a beautiful blend of alcohol-soaked cherries, burnt caramel, and brown sugar. The flavour when cold is a muted combination of roasted malts, bitter apples, spices, and gentle hops. As it warms this turns from something great to something exceptional, an intricately crafted and balanced brandy-style beer with perfect creamy mouthfeel. Can’t wait to do it all over again.

UPDATED: MAR 25, 2010 Luxurious deep brown body capped with a creamy, marbled tan head. Grainy white sediment. Caramel and a surprising waft of Burton sulphur in the nose make me want to plunge right in. Sweet toffeeish maltiness balanced with some sourish, chocolate yoghurt notes. A distinctly hoppy, Orval-like dryness also. Yes, that’s right, sweet, sour AND bitter. And wickedly drinkable. Was saving a Rochefort 10 to initiate me into the 100 club, but this is more than worthy of the honour. A very sexy Dubbel. (Re-rate, 22/01/08) Was expecting to have to down-rate this slightly, but not a bit of it. Aroma and general yeastiness sourish, darkly fruity and slightly biting. A ringer for Westies 8 and 12. Sourish chocolate-smooth nuttiness, wholemeal, robust hop bitterness... and a lingering waft of freshbread in the aftertaste. Still top 10 material. (Another re-rate) Cannot be contained by karmeliet chalice. Blossoming yellow-beige over mahogany; nose noble, blood, choc yoghurt, hazelnut, biting yeastines like Westy. Poetically noseworthy with a complexity of bubblegum, cherry, alcohol, banana.Wincing, almost menthol hops and CO2 if you over-inhale. And you must. Mmm. 9. Flavour opens with blood, nuts, chocolate, freshly risen bread, hop cheesecake, nuts again, marzipan. Well integrated,very shrubby Germanic hop. There’s a hair’s breadth between this and Westy 8, and either could edge it on its day. Top 10 every time.

UPDATED: MAY 1, 2007 Dark brown color, good head. Chocolat and dark fruit in the aroma with a touch of alcohol. Dark fruit tastes carry into the body, finishes hoppily bitter. Nice warming alcohol. Overall this is a very nice beer, perhaps I expected more? Regardless, top notch.

Simply wonderful! I am admittedly not a hophead and this Ale hit the spot. This should be a benchmark experience in your adventure to beer appreciation. I loved the sweet malt unencumbered by the bitter backdrop of the hop. Excellent balance for a great and refreshing experience

Bottle at home, drank with Pieter. Very good flavourful beer. Smooth, not too much kick. Very tasty.

Pours deep brown, reddish notes with an enormous cream coloured head leaving good lace as it subsides. Spicy, bready gingerloaf and dry chocolate aromas. Nutty roastiness, dates and raisins as well. And then there’s licorice and butter, cloves and plum sauce. Lots going on. Initially there sourness and then a rush of ’all that tastes brown’. Chocolate sponge cake and astringent wine. Light sweetness going on along with generous bubbly mouthfeel. A lot to love about this beer.