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Buyer's Guide for Beer Lovers

Continental Ales

Beer From Saints, for Sinners

Abbey Dubbel

Monastic, or abbey, ales are an ancient tradition in Belgium, in much the same manner as wine production was once closely associated with monastic life in ancient France. Currently, very few working monasteries brew beer within the order, but many have licensed the production of beers bearing their abbey name to large commercial brewers. These “abbey ales” can vary enormously in specific character, but most are quite strong in alcohol content, ranging from 6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) to as high as 10 percent. Generally, abbey ales are labeled as either “dubbel” or “trippel,” though this is not a convention that is slavishly adhered to. The former conventionally denotes a relatively less alcoholic and often darker beer, while the latter can often be lighter or blond in color and have a syrupy, alcoholic mouthfeel that invites sipping, not rapid drinking. The lowest gravity abbey ale in a Belgian brewer’s range will conventionally be referred to as a “singel,” though it is rarely labeled as such.

Interpreting the 100-point Scale

Consumers can translate the point score to the following quality bands:

Point Range Quality Band
96-100 points Platinum
90-95 points Gold
85-90 points Silver
80-84 points Bronze
Less than 80 Not Recommended
Legend
  • = Brewpub
  • ABV = Alcohol by volume
  • Date denotes the date on which the beer was tasted

94 Pere Jacques, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2011. 8% ABV (6/11)
Delightful aromas of honeyed fruit and nut cake, cola, and delicate spices with a silky fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a caramelized apple, melon, mineral and peppery-spice finish. A fantastic food beer.

93 Pere Jacques, Goose Island Beer Co. (IL) 2009. 8% ABV (4/09)
Luminous deep copper color with a lacy manila head. Tangy peach marmalade, orange blossom honey, and delicate date bread aromas follow through on a chewy, rich entry to a fruit-yet-dry medium-to-full body with peppery spice, cherry, roasted nut and caramel soufflé notes. Finishes with nice burnt sugar, mineral and nutshell-like astringency. A great “session” dubbel that will excel with grilled pork.

93 Ommegang Abbey Ale Dubbel, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 8.5% ABV (5/11)
Reddish mahogany color with a fine taupe blanket of foam. Intriguing aromas of licorice, kiwi crème brûlée and lemon curd on buttered rye toast with a supple, satiny dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a long, balanced spicy fruitcake, wheat grass and mineral finish. Deliciously rich and satisfying.

91 La Trappe Dubbel, Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven B.V. (Holland). 7% ABV (5/11)
Reddish mahogany color. Big circus peanut, golden molasses, and baklava aromas with a supple, silky medium-to-full body and a seamless, spicy golden plum, mint tea, gingerbread and radish sprouts-accented finish. Very tasty and effortlessly drinkable.

90 Belgian Freeze, River Horse Brewery (NJ). 8% ABV (4/09)
Deep copper mahogany color with a taupe head. Aromas of roasted nuts, buttery caramel and dried orange follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with mocha and pear tart notes. Finishes with a delicate singed bread crust, mossy stone and toffee fade. A pleasant, easy-drinking version of the dubbel style.

90 Dubbel Vision, Bastone Brewery (MI). 7.5% ABV (5/11)
Deep sunburst Stratocaster color. Aromas of banana taffy, gingerbread, and mocha nut fudge with a rich, frothy fruity medium-full body and a honeyed green apple, roasted carrot and mossy earth-accented finish with a great balance of spices.

90 Blue Apron, The Brooklyn Brewery (NY). 7.2% ABV (5/11)
Dark cloudy brown color. Subtle aromas of sorghum, dark roasted nuts, and chocolate gingerbread with a silky, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a delicate acacia honey, white strawberry, rhubarb, peppered kale and mineral-accented finish. A polished, elegant beer for the table.

89 St. Feuillien Brune, Brasserie St. Feuillien (Belgium). 7.5% ABV (5/11)
Deep reddish copper color. Aromas of papaya compote, nut toast, and mint gum with a round, fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body and a juicy, spicy, sweet mint tea, hominy and grassy earth finish. Nice vibrancy and refreshing mintiness.

88 Dark Abby, Devils Backbone Brewing Co. (VA). 6.8% ABV (5/10)
Aromas of sour apple candy, sourdough bread and poached egg follow through on a supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium body with mashed raisin and honey notes. Finishes with a tangy apple and orange skin, light molasses and mineral accents. A nice, easy drinking take on the dubbel style.

88 Phat Abbot Dubbel, Arbor Brewing Co. (MI). 8.4% ABV (5/11)
Dark teak brown color. Rich, milk chocolate, caramelized roasted nut, and raisin cake aromas with a satiny, fruity medium-to-full body and a lush, creamy mocha, frosted carrot cake, spinach and delicate spice finish. Remarkable rich, even and easy-drinking.

85 Abbey Brown Ale, Brouwerij Corsendonk (Belgium). 7.5% ABV (5/11)
Deep reddish mahogany color. Dense aromas of dark toasted pumpernickel, peach pie filling, ginger snap and Meyer lemon with a satiny medium-to-full body and wafer, raisin, nut skin, broccoli leaf and mossy stone-accented finish.

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