New Belgium Abbey

Brewed by New Belgium Brewing Company
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Fort Collins, Colorado USA

Even the most chiseled erudite can sit down for an episode of the Simpsons. Fine, Italian opera librettos are sophisticated, but Homer’s vernacular humor appeals to everybody, not just the upper crust of educated muckity-mucks. My mother once told me that a truly admirable man of intellect can speak to anybody, whether it be Walter Russel Meade or the janitor. New Belgium’s Abbey is much the same way. It may not be as “advanced” as some of its Strong Belgian Ale cousins found in the higher price refrigerator, but it has the same basic taste and it appeals to a broader audience. It’s not quite a “working man’s beer”, but the Abbey has a dusky, lowdown feel while keeping a high brow aura. It pours a dark auburn, with a fantastic off-white head. The foam is thick and looks welcoming to an eager lip. The beer feels very muscular as well and “full” on the first sip before fully developing its flavor. As per the tradition of Belgian ales there is a lot of fruit to be found, but mostly apple. The Abbey also seemed sweeter than other Belgian ales I’ve had. Most importantly, the beer provides that “fruits of the earth” taste, and seems to be appropriate for drinking in a low lit room. Not necessarily a tavern mind you, but a settled and cozy room. I do like this beer. It is, so far, my favorite from New Belgium.

Classic dubbel appearance. Yeasty aroma. Banana and bubblegum. Flavor is caramel, banana, fruit, bubblegum. Very tasty and sweet. Lots of flavor. Nice dubbel, and it’s fairly readily available at a good price. Cheaper doesn’t mean a lower quality brew in this case. I would honestly rather have this dubbel as any others that I’ve had. Including Chimay.

Pours amber brown with no head. Pleasant aroma of banana and raisin. Taste is similar, a bit of yeast, mild and fruity. Mouthfeel is good - not thick, not thin, and tiny bubbles tickle the tongue. Certainly worth picking up a 6-pack of this and giving it a try if you’re a fan of the Belgian styles. Thumbs up.

This brown ale poured with a large fluffy off-white head. There was a strong presence of roasted malt in both the aroma and the flavor, with noticeable banana esters and a slighty alcoholic finish. Overall, a very satisfying beer.

Bottle split with EDA many moons ago. Nice brown colored beer with decent numbers of floaties doing there thing. Fruity aroma, some bananna and yeast. Medium bodied. Flavor is full and rich in yeast and fruit. Quite well done.

Deep brown with flashes of red and a small head. Aromas of spicy fruits, bananas and yeast come through pretty strong. Soft malty base with a sugary sweetness and a complex fruit flavor. Quick, clean, roasted finish leaves a good taste behind. Seems to be slightly thin and more fizzy than usual for a dubbel, otherwise really good.

12 oz bottle Best before date 3/31/05. sampled on 8/27/05
Pours out opaque brown with a small tan head.
Aroma is fruity, (raisons, cooked banana) and a little doughy.
flavor is carmel, banana, prune, and some light hops.
tasty

Nose is fresh and fruity, with lots of banana and cherry presence. Also, fig and spice. Medium body creates a nice transport for more banana and plum. The body has a nice depth, soft carbonation, fruit yeastiness and somewhat roasty finish. Really good!