Westmalle Dubbel

bottle. small off-white fizzy head (dissapated as soon as poured) into dark reddish brown body with sediments present. aromas of ripe dark fruits, light sugared candy, light hops, caramel (though I don’t see the banana that others have noted?). flavor is lightly bittersweet throughout. well balanced. watery texture. above average carbonation. moderate finish duration.

11.2 oz bottle. Pours a dark mahogany color with a fluffy tan head. Good carbonation. Nose of chocolate covered bananna, caramel and yeast. This is an interesting beer, caramel figured prominently in the beginning, unusual for a trappist. Followed by hints of raisin and fig and a dash of chocolate and a very delicate hoppiness at the finish. At the very end of the finish the caramel comes back and hangs around with a light bit of bitterness. Crazy complex for a dubbel, this is probably one of the best of the style that I have had.

Pours opaque dark brown with a thick tan head. Very fruity aroma. Nice creamy body with a ton of fruit and caramel. A hint of alcohol too. Very nice beer.

Bottle, best before April 11, 2009. Pours a rather dark brown with ruby hues and a nicely formed head even in the wide Trappist glass. Aroma is vinous with delicate hints at ripe fruits, licorice, mild clove, raisins, and light spices. Hm. This is a bit lighter on the palate than I was expecting, but in a refreshing and subtly nuanced way. Light sweetness forms the foundation for an array of fruity and spiced notes. The finish is light and pleasing with some faint rough esters coming up every now and then. I even get a bit of hop character in the form of something like wood. This is really nicely done.

Pours ruby with mostly receding tan head. Aroma of caramel, raisins, bubble gum and tropical fruits. Mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with lush carbonation. A very nice and elegant beer.

After several drain-pours, I have finally picked a winner. Reddish brown, and a little cloudy (not that you can tell.) The head is big and creamy. The smell was rather nice, but I had to read other people’s reviews to figure out what that smell was. Banana. It has a nice fruity banana and caramel aroma. But I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that it has a hint of lavender too. Next, the flavor is mild and rather pleasant. It is still fruity, and that caramel aroma comes through in the flavor. Smooth and slightly bubbly finish. One of the best beers I have had in a while.

Bottle 0.33 l. Bought Humletorvet Slagelse. Color hazy dark brown with large soft light brown head. Aroma more fruity (banana) than malty. Taste sweet, malty with very taste soft head. Carbonation excellent. Motto of the Bendictian monks is "Ora et labora". This trappist ale works well with the motto.

From 33cl bottle. Brown hazy body with a large puffy beige head lasting and leaving a good lacing. Nice nose with roasted malts and banana yeasts. Plum sweetness at first approach in mouth, develops into a burned caramels and then a dark chocolate bitterness at finish. Nice complexity and great mix. Creamy and rich body with a low carbonation all fitting to the flavours of this ale. A wonderful dubbel which sets a standard.