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Trappist Dubbel
Brouwerij Westmalle
Beer Geek Stats
| Print Shelf Talker
- From:
- Brouwerij Westmalle
- Belgium
- Style:
- Dubbel
Ranked #3 - ABV:
- 7%
- Score:
- 93
Ranked #3,432 - Avg:
- 4.18 | pDev: 10.05%
- Reviews:
- 1,329
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 13, 2023
- Added:
- Nov 25, 2000
- Wants:
- 249
- Gots:
- 617
SCORE
93
Outstanding
93
Outstanding
Notes:
Westmalle Dubbel (7%) is a dark red-brown beer with a rich, complex taste thanks to re-fermentation in the bottle. You pick up touches of caramel, malt and fruity esters reminiscent of ripe banana. The beer pearls beneath a covering of dense, cream-coloured froth. A lovely lace pattern forms on the inside of the glass once emptied. The long, dry finish of this balanced, mild Trappist beer will stay with you.
Trappist or Dubbel?
In 1865 the monks of Westmalle started brewing a dark Trappist beer in addition to their table beer. They adjusted the recipe in 1926, doubling the amounts of raw ingredients to produce a new, stronger beer. Dubbel is a logical name for this doubled beer, though it is more often simply called ‘Trappist’. To this day, the 1926 recipe is the basis for Westmalle Dubbel.
Westmalle Dubbel: bottle and tap
We are all familiar with Westmalle Dubbel in 33 cl bottles. But around 150 carefully selected Belgian cafés and restaurants serve this beer on tap from barrels containing 20, 30 and 50 litres. In the barrel, this living beer evolves differently to emerge with a slightly sweeter taste.
Westmalle Dubbel can also be purchased in 75 cl bottles. The beer matures in a different way in a larger bottle to produce a noticeably milder finish.
Trappist or Dubbel?
In 1865 the monks of Westmalle started brewing a dark Trappist beer in addition to their table beer. They adjusted the recipe in 1926, doubling the amounts of raw ingredients to produce a new, stronger beer. Dubbel is a logical name for this doubled beer, though it is more often simply called ‘Trappist’. To this day, the 1926 recipe is the basis for Westmalle Dubbel.
Westmalle Dubbel: bottle and tap
We are all familiar with Westmalle Dubbel in 33 cl bottles. But around 150 carefully selected Belgian cafés and restaurants serve this beer on tap from barrels containing 20, 30 and 50 litres. In the barrel, this living beer evolves differently to emerge with a slightly sweeter taste.
Westmalle Dubbel can also be purchased in 75 cl bottles. The beer matures in a different way in a larger bottle to produce a noticeably milder finish.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon
4.34/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Look: Pours a reddish-brown and a sudsy head quickly forms and noisily recedes, leaving minimal lacing behind
Aroma: Plums, apple skins, dried figs, candi sugar, warm brown bread, raisins, light toffee, concord grapes, yeast, and some earthy notes
Taste: Light fruity esters led by apple dance quickly on the palate before being hit with a huge wave of malt flavors. Toffee, melanoidin, piloncillo, bread, toasted crust, and candi sugar all in play alongside the emergence of dark fruit that swirls in and out of the picture. Light earthy notes appear here and there and closes with malt sweetness, fruity esters, and dark fruit
Mouthfeel: Full, smooth, clean, medium-high carbonation, and soft and smooth on the finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. This is a really tasty and well-made Dubbel with great depth of flavors and aromas evident throughout. Not too sweet, not too fruity, everything is in harmony as it all comes together to form a beer that is greater than the sum of its parts. Recommended
Apr 23, 2023Aroma: Plums, apple skins, dried figs, candi sugar, warm brown bread, raisins, light toffee, concord grapes, yeast, and some earthy notes
Taste: Light fruity esters led by apple dance quickly on the palate before being hit with a huge wave of malt flavors. Toffee, melanoidin, piloncillo, bread, toasted crust, and candi sugar all in play alongside the emergence of dark fruit that swirls in and out of the picture. Light earthy notes appear here and there and closes with malt sweetness, fruity esters, and dark fruit
Mouthfeel: Full, smooth, clean, medium-high carbonation, and soft and smooth on the finish
Overall: This is delicious stuff. This is a really tasty and well-made Dubbel with great depth of flavors and aromas evident throughout. Not too sweet, not too fruity, everything is in harmony as it all comes together to form a beer that is greater than the sum of its parts. Recommended
Reviewed by scott451 from Canada (ON)
4/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured a 330ml bottle into a pint glass. A one finger bubbly white head on a cloudy brown. good head retention. Some patchy lacing.
Spicy yeast in the nose. Cinnamon. Nutmeg.
A mild hop finish.
Medium body and carbonation.
A fine Dubbel. a bit drier than most.
Apr 19, 2023Spicy yeast in the nose. Cinnamon. Nutmeg.
A mild hop finish.
Medium body and carbonation.
A fine Dubbel. a bit drier than most.
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
4.4/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.4/5 rDev +5.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Halfway thru the initial pour, I had already given it a 5 for the appearance: beautiful, large, off white head over a cloudy, mahogany colored body. Yeasty, dried fruit, lightly spiced aroma. Complex mouthfeel added to the enjoyment, with tastes that incorporated spices, a range of dark fruits, some sourness, some bitterness, and some tartness. A Dubbel done right.
Mar 13, 2023
Reviewed by tigg924 from Massachusetts
4.59/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.59/5 rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours opaque, dark brown in color with one inch head. Taste is dark bread and raisin. Light body, moderate carbonation, sweet. It is a classic for good reason. While I prefer other dubbels, this one certainly delivers. Excellent beer.
Mar 06, 2023
Rated by cmb
4.37/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.37/5 rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Draft beer in Westmalle glass at Aba-jour in Ghent, Belgium. Delish! Other reviewers can describe better than me, but I liked it very much.
Jan 29, 2023
Reviewed by Hamme from Netherlands
4.84/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.84/5 rDev +15.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Had this with Flemish stew and fries and drank a pint along with it, which is a Belgian custom. The Westmalle Double is reminiscent of a pint in a good way but much more complex flavored. I stirred the stew in two of these too.
Even though the brown red color makes you expect a strong beer, it is surprisingly refreshing and right up there with the Belgian blonds, but a bit better. What more can i say: try it with a Belgian stew and fries and it tastes twice as nice!
Dec 26, 2022Even though the brown red color makes you expect a strong beer, it is surprisingly refreshing and right up there with the Belgian blonds, but a bit better. What more can i say: try it with a Belgian stew and fries and it tastes twice as nice!
Reviewed by Lmc93
4.44/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours with a 4cm tan head receding nicely to a thin but persistent head.
Smells of fruit and sweet flowers mixed with undertones of dark malty goodness.
Tastes almost delicate with hints of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and maybe raisin hidden in a very drinkable brew. Tangy orange occasionally comes through, tastes bliddy great. Mild bitterness on the aftertaste which could be slightly more pronounced.
A little thin in the mouth but carbonation is on point
This may be my favourite go-to beer.
Nov 15, 2022Smells of fruit and sweet flowers mixed with undertones of dark malty goodness.
Tastes almost delicate with hints of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and maybe raisin hidden in a very drinkable brew. Tangy orange occasionally comes through, tastes bliddy great. Mild bitterness on the aftertaste which could be slightly more pronounced.
A little thin in the mouth but carbonation is on point
This may be my favourite go-to beer.
Reviewed by LanceBiggums from Canada (AB)
3.9/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.9/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a very dark opaque reddish brown, with three fingers of soft, heavy, creamy tan head. Great retention too despite the 7% ABV. Very pretty beer. On the nose, some must, big raisin, a whiff of toffee, a whiff of ethanol. Not huge aroma. Tastes delicious. Very fruity, a hint of chocolate, the ethanol is well blended, not obtrusive at all, which is usually my main gripe with the stronger Belgian beers. Goes down super smooth. Overall a solid Belgian double.
Oct 29, 2022
Reviewed by jjholmes from Australia
4.64/5 rDev +11%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.64/5 rDev +11%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
The benchmark for the style. Brown sugar. Booze-soaked currants, raisins, sultanas -- ie a fruit mince pie minus the pastry. Burnt toffee. Some banana. Green apple. Starts sweet. Ends dry with a perfect bitter twang. Creamy mouthfeel. Beautiful beer. Goddam I'll have another.
Oct 21, 2022
Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
4.02/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.02/5 rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
330ml bottle into a goblet. Bottled 1/4/22, so 9 months in the bottle.
Dark reddish brown body. Decent tan head shrinks to a fat collar and covering, some scattered lacing.
Malty dark fruit aroma.
On tasting, strong malty flavor, some plum, a slight apple core bitterness.
Mouth close to full, finish lightly bitter.
Overall, dubbels aren't usually my thing, but perhaps I haven't been drinking the right ones. This is a good beer.
Oct 21, 2022Dark reddish brown body. Decent tan head shrinks to a fat collar and covering, some scattered lacing.
Malty dark fruit aroma.
On tasting, strong malty flavor, some plum, a slight apple core bitterness.
Mouth close to full, finish lightly bitter.
Overall, dubbels aren't usually my thing, but perhaps I haven't been drinking the right ones. This is a good beer.
Reviewed by Braunmeister_1943 from Pennsylvania
4.77/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.77/5 rDev +14.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
On tap at Bierhaul in Thornton, PA. Served in a Westmalle chalice.
L- Very deep dark color.
S- Glorious Belgian aroma.
T- Fantastic Belgian Dubbel flavor.
F- Great fine carbonation!
O- Superb Trappist Dubbel!
Oct 16, 2022L- Very deep dark color.
S- Glorious Belgian aroma.
T- Fantastic Belgian Dubbel flavor.
F- Great fine carbonation!
O- Superb Trappist Dubbel!
Reviewed by KleinSchwein
4.82/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
4.82/5 rDev +15.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Belgian people seems to know how to make a good beer . Monks seem to know how to make beer .
Belgian monks should make great beer , stands to reason , right ? It worked out that way with Chimay and my goodness doe it work out that way with this .
Look :- Deep dark red , light doesn't break through the center of the glass . A large , domed head that leaves good lacing and a veneer of foam the whole way .
Smell :- Unlike any other beer I've had , deep and whatever the smell equivalent to flavourful is . Like a pot roast when all the flavours create a wonderful combined smell .
Taste :- Deep caramel,toffee, banana ,cream and alcohol, a natural sweetness then a pleasant bitterness and a dry finish that almost begs you to take another sip .
Mouth feel :- Thick , luxurious.
Overall :- A treat . There's fine wine and then there's fine beer and this is very much that . Moorish . I think I'd discover something new with every bottle . If I had the correct glassware this rating might well be higher .
Oct 07, 2022Belgian monks should make great beer , stands to reason , right ? It worked out that way with Chimay and my goodness doe it work out that way with this .
Look :- Deep dark red , light doesn't break through the center of the glass . A large , domed head that leaves good lacing and a veneer of foam the whole way .
Smell :- Unlike any other beer I've had , deep and whatever the smell equivalent to flavourful is . Like a pot roast when all the flavours create a wonderful combined smell .
Taste :- Deep caramel,toffee, banana ,cream and alcohol, a natural sweetness then a pleasant bitterness and a dry finish that almost begs you to take another sip .
Mouth feel :- Thick , luxurious.
Overall :- A treat . There's fine wine and then there's fine beer and this is very much that . Moorish . I think I'd discover something new with every bottle . If I had the correct glassware this rating might well be higher .
Reviewed by jlindros from Massachusetts
4.5/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottled 2020/09/24
Pours a large fluffy 2 finger off-white head with good retention, soapy lacing, dark mahogany brown color
Nose sweet caramelized sugar and malts, Belgian candi sugar, caramel toasted malts, rich grainy toasted sweet bread, nutty, toffee, molasses, lots of dark fruits, fig, date, candied banana, light potpourri phenol spices, perfumey pleasant alcohol
Taste brings lots more candi sugar, toasted grains, toasted sweet bread crust, plenty of caramel, toffee, some molasses, rich nutty toffee, a touch syrupy like, light herbal spicy hop, then dark fruit esters, fig, date, raisin, a little banana and cherry as well, more light potpourri floral phenol spice notes and smooth perfumey alcohol, mild sweet sticky finish, bit more smooth alcohol
Mouth is med to fuller bod, rich chewy like, med to higher frothy carb, light warming smooth alcohol
Overall solid Dubbel, basically epitome of the style. Don't know how I don't have a review for this
Oct 01, 2022Pours a large fluffy 2 finger off-white head with good retention, soapy lacing, dark mahogany brown color
Nose sweet caramelized sugar and malts, Belgian candi sugar, caramel toasted malts, rich grainy toasted sweet bread, nutty, toffee, molasses, lots of dark fruits, fig, date, candied banana, light potpourri phenol spices, perfumey pleasant alcohol
Taste brings lots more candi sugar, toasted grains, toasted sweet bread crust, plenty of caramel, toffee, some molasses, rich nutty toffee, a touch syrupy like, light herbal spicy hop, then dark fruit esters, fig, date, raisin, a little banana and cherry as well, more light potpourri floral phenol spice notes and smooth perfumey alcohol, mild sweet sticky finish, bit more smooth alcohol
Mouth is med to fuller bod, rich chewy like, med to higher frothy carb, light warming smooth alcohol
Overall solid Dubbel, basically epitome of the style. Don't know how I don't have a review for this
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
3.99/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.99/5 rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottled 6/23/21, best by 6/23/23
This is a classic that I’m not sure how I’ve skipped over for all these years. I enjoy a good Dubbel, and this one is literally always around, yet this is my first time trying it. There’s not much more to say about this one so let’s just get right into it
Pours a cloudy medium brown with 2 fingers of tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves nice lacing
The nose leans into more of an herbal/spicy character than most Dubbels I’ve had. I’m picking up on aromas of clove, burnt sugar, fusel alcohol, raisin, black pepper, caramel, and light baked apple
In taste it leans even further info this vibe, perhaps a bit too much which messed with the balance. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting black pepper, clove, burnt caramel, dark bread, golden raisin, light fusel alcohol, and plum. The swallow brings notes of black pepper, baked apple, burnt caramel, clove, brown sugar, light plum, and dark bread
A medium body pairs with moderate carbonation, resulting in a smooth and silky beer. Finishes a tad sticky but dries over time
I was expecting a bit more from this one, but even in the spicy realm it leans into, it’s good
Sep 30, 2022This is a classic that I’m not sure how I’ve skipped over for all these years. I enjoy a good Dubbel, and this one is literally always around, yet this is my first time trying it. There’s not much more to say about this one so let’s just get right into it
Pours a cloudy medium brown with 2 fingers of tan head that slowly fades to a thin cap and leaves nice lacing
The nose leans into more of an herbal/spicy character than most Dubbels I’ve had. I’m picking up on aromas of clove, burnt sugar, fusel alcohol, raisin, black pepper, caramel, and light baked apple
In taste it leans even further info this vibe, perhaps a bit too much which messed with the balance. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting black pepper, clove, burnt caramel, dark bread, golden raisin, light fusel alcohol, and plum. The swallow brings notes of black pepper, baked apple, burnt caramel, clove, brown sugar, light plum, and dark bread
A medium body pairs with moderate carbonation, resulting in a smooth and silky beer. Finishes a tad sticky but dries over time
I was expecting a bit more from this one, but even in the spicy realm it leans into, it’s good
Reviewed by HoppyBastard from Nebraska
4.21/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 1 pint 9.4 ounce bottle with cap into a St. Bernardus chalice style glass, "Bottled on" date 6-10-21, "Best by" date 6-10-23.
APPEARANCE: pours a very dark brown color with two-fingers tan head, excellent retention, the head slowly dissipated until a thin layer of small bubbles remained, there is heavy lacing on the glass, It's hard to see carbonation because it's a very dark color but the mouthfeel tells me it's higher than average carbonation.
SMELL: sweet caramel, bread and a roasted note.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet caramel and bread then a roasted note.
PALATE: full body and higher carbonation, somewhat creamy.
OVERALL: this is a great looking beer, I really like the the way it looks in the glass and enjoyed the mouthfeel, it's not as sweet as some other Dubbel's I have had, this is not my favorite Dubbel, I prefer Chimay but it's very good and I would be pleased to have it again, I would happily recommend this to anyone who enjoys the style.
Aug 14, 2022APPEARANCE: pours a very dark brown color with two-fingers tan head, excellent retention, the head slowly dissipated until a thin layer of small bubbles remained, there is heavy lacing on the glass, It's hard to see carbonation because it's a very dark color but the mouthfeel tells me it's higher than average carbonation.
SMELL: sweet caramel, bread and a roasted note.
TASTE: the taste follows the nose, initially sweet caramel and bread then a roasted note.
PALATE: full body and higher carbonation, somewhat creamy.
OVERALL: this is a great looking beer, I really like the the way it looks in the glass and enjoyed the mouthfeel, it's not as sweet as some other Dubbel's I have had, this is not my favorite Dubbel, I prefer Chimay but it's very good and I would be pleased to have it again, I would happily recommend this to anyone who enjoys the style.
Trappist Dubbel from Brouwerij Westmalle
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
3050 ratings
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