French Broad Flanders Abbey Ale

Brewed by French Broad Brewing Co.
Style: Belgian Ale
Asheville, North Carolina USA

From notes 5/17/05: Pours a golden amber color with a slightly creamy white head. Lacing was one consistent sheet of foam coating the glass all the way down. Aromas of bubblegum and cotton candy. A sweet candy air. Some yeastiness rears its head as it warms up some more. Sweet malt flavors; fruity yeastiness; more candi sugar and cotton candy melting on your tongue. No harsh undertones or rough edges here. Aftertaste involves sweet bread dough and, again, cotton candy. Thinner in the feel than I hoped, but I guess it had to be done to keep it under 6%. Drinkable and enjoyable on a Tuesday afternoon reading a good book at the bar.

Date: 01/19/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Asheville Winter

Appearance: clear amber, fine beige head, bits of lace,
Aroma: sweet malt aroma with a fruity sweetness balanced by floral hops,
Body: thin body,
Flavor: sweet candy malt flavor, lots of fruity esters add to the sweetness, touch of alcohol, light earthy character for balance,
-------- /> Date: 04/11/2008
Source: brewery
Score: 3.3 to 3.7

Appearance: hazy orange, creamy beige head,
Aroma: sweet fruity aroma with a bold spicyness and a touch of citrus,
Body: big creamy body,
Flavor: rich fruity flavor with lots of estery sweetness, touch of candy character, light balancing spicyness,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 7/10; Overall: 15/20
Rating: 3.7/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: **4

On tap at the brewery. It’s hard to be a dubbel under 6%! Nice fruity tones, nice appearance in the glass. The problem is not being able to let these beers go during fermentation (I think). I like French Broads attempts at recreating the complex Belgian flavors, but they always seem a little watery. When the stupid 6% law gets changed shortly to 15% maybe the brew master can let these mature a little more.

On tap. Nice orange color but very thin white head. Floral aroma with a hint of apple. Slightly bitter with a lingering cinnamon taste. Mouthfeel is a little too fizzy for my liking much like all French Broad beers. Very enjoyable local beer.

winter warmer festival, Asheville on tap. pours a clear amber with off white head. sweet yeast and candy througout. very sessionable and the sweet candy quality.

Pours a deep orange-gold with a pale head. Has a spicey aroma of corriander (similar to that of a Belgian White beer). Nice flowery, fruit flavor. I’ve never had an Abbey Dubbel before. Honestly I wasn’t expecting to find any in NC with the 6%ABV cap on beers. I can’t wait to taste more.

Tap. Heavy yeast and wheat, malt aromas. Pours copper with a foamy white head; excellent lacing. Flavors of yeast, apple and pear. Medium bodied and fizzy palate.

draft. Hey for N.C. I think they did a nice job mimicking a belgian dubbel, allthough obviously much is lacking. very fizzy which is reminescent of the style indeed, has the right characteristics. I really enjoyed this beer, very refreshing, clean and nice. I would have it again.