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Grimbergen Dubbel

Alken-Maes Brewery
Jumet, Belgium
Imported by: Scottish and Newcastle Importers
San Francisco, CA

Available: CA, GA, IN, KS, KY, LA, MN, MO, OH, PA, WI

The monks of the Grimbergen Abbey, which was founded in 1128, passed production of their beers to the Maes brewery in 1958. The Grimbergen beers are termed abbey beers, even though they are not brewed at the abbey.

Alcohol (wt.): 5.2
Alcohol (vol.): 6.5
Color: n/a
Bitterness: 22.6
Gravity: 1059

• Fred Eckhardt

  The spectacular deep mahogany color begs for attention, backed by an almost clocklike clicking head that leads the drinker gently into this fine, dark treasure with its lovely Belgian character. My enjoyment was marred only by memory of the even better draft version of this beer common in northern France, The Netherlands and Belgium. If you find this beer on tap, don't hesitate.

• Garrett Oliver

  This beer has an interesting orangey-amber color, edging into brown. The fluffy head is tan, and there’s no sign of yeast. The nose is spicy, with clove and hop notes. On the palate, the beer is surprisingly sweet, with restrained bitterness balancing. Caramel combines with raisiny acidity in the center. The finish is short and steely. An interesting interpretation of the dubbel style, but lacking in complexity and depth. A pleasant foil for game sausages or roast duck.

• Michael Jackson

  Rocky, cream-coloured head. Dark amber-brown. Smooth body, but not as rich as might be expected. Slightly carbonic. Sweetish, vanilla-like, rummy, with a suggestion of berry fruits. Caramel and dusty dryness in the finish. Light-bodied, fruity and sweet for the style.