Despite it’s typically dark color, the Belgian dubbel is one of mildest Belgian strong ales both in terms of flavor and alcohol content. I happen to think this makes it most suitable for late summer or early autumn, when eyes turn towards roasted and spicy flavors, even though it is still too warm for especially heavy beers. After all, the dubbel is sort of a younger brother (or maybe just a warm-up) to the richer, weightier Belgian strong dark ale.

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‘6’ – ROCHEFORT – Dubbel – 7.50% ABV (Eye Choir’s Top Choice)

Appearance: Poured a moderately dark, earthen orange-brown with a two-finger, long-lasting light beige head. The body is somewhat hazy, but some moderate carbonation can still easily be seen. 5/5

Smell: Very complex, with a solid underlying malt character that has aromas of toasted biscuits along with notes of toffee and carob. Yeast character displays a wonderful assortment of fruit including boozy overripe bananas, cherries, and concord grapes. This is contrasted by further aromas of spice (especially clove and licorice) as well as a distinct leathery yeast funk that anchors the rest of the aromas together alongside a suggestion of an earthy hop character. Supremely complex but not to the detriment of balance or structure. 5/5

Taste: Sweetness is mild to moderate, which brings forward a candied note that mixes well with the distinctly fig-like fruit flavors. This is balanced with an austere combination of oak and vanilla with overtones of other phenolic spices. There is very little tartness, though, which leaves ample room for a mild but sweeping bitterness to provide balance. Along with the distinct yeast character and hops, this imbues notes of tobacco or hay. Strangely, the malt manages to penetrate well into the finish, leaving a mild roastiness. Otherworldly goodness and balance. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Surprisingly light body, with only a touch of carbonic tartness that allows a mellow, smooth mouthfeel with only a touch of alcoholic heat to match the moderate malt character. Altogether easy to drink, leaving sufficient room for the full flavors of the beer to go unimpeded. 4.5/5

Overall: The centerpiece of this beer is a very unique yeast flavor, which is counterbalanced and illuminated by lots of other well-crafted flavors that are subtle yet vibrant. All the while, manages to be surprisingly down-to-earth and not even challenging to drink. Extraordinary. 5/5

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ABBEY DUBBEL – FLYING FISH – Dubbel – 7.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a dark, yet still transparent, reddish-brown with a less than one-finger, light-tan head. There is no apparent haze, and despite the dark body, mild to moderate carbonation is visible. 3/5

Smell: Funky yeast character with a phenolic streak with strains of spice and even band-aids as well as notes of plum and black cherry around the edge. However eventually drowned out by an excessive caramel malt character that features chocolate in the aftertaste. A faint trace of grassy hops works its way into the aroma as well. A little unbalanced and overall actually less intense than expected. 2.5/5

Taste: Moderate tartness sweeps the palate first, bringing out the tannic acidity of the dark fruit flavors as well as helping them unite with the heady yeast. Sweetness arises gradually, and though it is only mild to moderate, it stays long into the finish, where the roasted malt flavors are accentuated by a touch of sweet booziness. Only mildly bitter, with no significant hop character beyond the simple grassy aroma. The acidity helps integrate the mismatched malt and yeast profiles, though the beer is way off the mark of a traditional dubbel. 3.5/5

Mouthfeel: Light body, with a surprisingly thin mouthfeel that focuses on the average carbonation, which enhances the tartness, as well as a smooth alcoholic heat. Not bad; an interesting match for the flavors, if a little strange. 3.5/5

Overall: Does not live up to the expectation of being a purported ‘abbey’ dubbel, with over-bearing malt flavors as well as a lack of balance and body. Still, the pairing of roasted notes with the spicy funk of dark Belgian styles is at least somewhat interesting and still provides perfunctory enjoyment. 3/5

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‘PREMIÈRE (RED)’ – CHIMAY – Dubbel – 7.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a dark vermillion-brown with a two-finger, moderate beige head. The body is quite hazy, with fine particulate sediment being noticeable. No carbonation can be observed. 4/5

Smell: Very rich malt character, with a deep roasty molasses aroma that features hints of cocoa. This is blended with a banana and clove-like spiciness from the yeast, along with boozy fruits which run the gamut from raisin and fig to tropical fruits. A vaguely earthy funk is balanced by subtle herbal hop note that can be detected in combination with the spices. Quite intricate. 4.5/5

Taste: Mild to moderate sweetness, though the balance turns from the malt to the fruit as a moderate tartness sweeps in. This mixes orange peel, cassis, and plums with a heady phenolic yeast with notes of licorice and even nutmeg. The malt character as a backbone uses toffee and ginger snaps to balance the spice well into the mildly bitter finish, where the nutty, lightly earthy yeast character takes over. Very complex indeed, but a little difficult to fully comprehend due to the wide variety of flavors. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium body, with a slightly syrupy mouthfeel that goes along with a moderate yet smooth alcoholic heat. This, along with a mild to moderate carbonic bite serves to alternately bring out the fruit and spice flavors quite nicely. 4/5

Overall: Extremely complex, with a large variety of flavors, though at times they seem to lack organization and it can be difficult to figure out what’s going on. Nonetheless, a very intricate, cerebral beer that is enjoyable even when drunk casually. 4/5

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DUBBEL – ALLAGASH – Dubbel – 7.00% ABV

Appearance: Poured a dark ruby-brown with a two finger, tan head. There is a moderate fine haziness that contributes to the opacity of the body, but surprisingly vigorous carbonation is still visible. 4.5/5

Smell: Surprisingly funky barnyard smell from the yeast, with strong musty and medicinal phenolics to which only a comparatively mild dark fruit flavor plays contrast. Solid roasted malt character balances the heady yeast with notes of toffee and amaretto nuts. A slight herbaceous hop aroma can also be detected. A little unusual, but all the components play together with surprising ease. 4/5

Taste: A mild to moderate sweetness is the first impression, which pushes the malt to the forefront, elevating hints of caramel and creamy milk chocolate. Along with a mild to moderate tartness, it also helps highlight the fruit details of the yeast, showing off baked apple and cherries from the back of the yeast funk. A mild cleansing bitterness arrives in the finish, where the leafy earthiness of the hops helps evoke notes of anise. Quite complex and despite how unusual at times, still reasonably balanced and certainly very satisfying. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, with a soft, mouth-coatingly creamy mouthfeel where the carbonation does more to enhance to the smoothness than to provide a bite, which enhances the sweet malt aspects of the drink. And as with the very minimal alcoholic heat, a little surprising for the style. 4.5/5

Overall: Well-crafted Belgian style that eludes expectations with unique yeast aromas and rich malts which still manage to work together in an odd way. Quite fascinating and equally enjoyable. 4/5