Dominus Vobiscum Double
Microbrasserie Charlevoix


Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Dubbel
Ranked #22 - ABV:
- 8%
- Score:
- 88
Ranked #11,692 - Avg:
- 3.96 | pDev: 9.6%
- Reviews:
- 88
- Ratings:
- From:
- Microbrasserie Charlevoix
- Quebec, Canada
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 8
- Gots
- 21
SCORE
88
Very Good
88
Very Good


Notes:
Reviews: 88
| Ratings: 165
| Log in to view all ratings and sort
TooManyGlasses from Canada (AB)
3.96/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Well aged beer - bottled 2014. Deep reddish brown/mahogany pour with finger creamy beige head.
Aroma of dark fruits, raisin, caramel malt, sherry notes.
Taste of plum, raisin, brown sugar, sherry notes with a touch of tartness.
Briskly carbonated medium mouthfeel with slightly sharp finish.
Jun 01, 2019
3.96/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Well aged beer - bottled 2014. Deep reddish brown/mahogany pour with finger creamy beige head.
Aroma of dark fruits, raisin, caramel malt, sherry notes.
Taste of plum, raisin, brown sugar, sherry notes with a touch of tartness.
Briskly carbonated medium mouthfeel with slightly sharp finish.
Jun 01, 2019
Poljazz22 from Canada (QC)
4.09/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 17--03-14 drank on 18-05-22
Pours an almost opaque dark brown with a beige persistent ring.
Smell of molasses, dark dried fruit.
Tastes of Christmas fruitcake (no citrus overtones) with Belgian peppery yeast. Dark sugar and molasses but not overly sweet. The alcohol is well hidden.
It is easy on the throat and is quite filling. Lots of complexity. Great sipping beer! Quite easy to find here in Montreal and well worth the $5 can. per 500ml.
May 22, 2018
4.09/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 17--03-14 drank on 18-05-22
Pours an almost opaque dark brown with a beige persistent ring.
Smell of molasses, dark dried fruit.
Tastes of Christmas fruitcake (no citrus overtones) with Belgian peppery yeast. Dark sugar and molasses but not overly sweet. The alcohol is well hidden.
It is easy on the throat and is quite filling. Lots of complexity. Great sipping beer! Quite easy to find here in Montreal and well worth the $5 can. per 500ml.
May 22, 2018
StonedTrippin from Colorado
4.49/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
i just had a bottle of this from 2010 off the vintage beer list at bull and bush, really fair pricing too on this, considering its age and now rarity. i really enjoyed it, its like a big chewy liquid molasses cookie, gingersnap or something, not sure if this is actually spiced or not, but it sure tastes like it is. deep copper colored, past rust to a dark caramel color, just redder than brown. lots of body and a frothy tan heady with outstanding retention. brown sugar, molasses, dried ginger, honey, loosely belgian yeast, fruitcake, booze, maple, even clove present themselves in the nose and taste of this, it really does have a fresh baked wintery cookie vibe to it, mild banana in there, tons of molasses, rich and sweet and full bodied, but with considerable more depth than most belgian dubbel types or even barleywines that i have known. its downright impressive really, warm and comforting, filling in just the right way, still active in feel, nothing like it out there that i am at all aware of. surprised to see others have not liked this more, but i suppose six years in the bottle has allowed it to evolve quite a lot. do yourself a favor and pick up an extra one for the cellar, this is one of the best aged beers i have ever had. world class, this should be hyped up. never even heard of this brewery before...
edit: has another bottle from 2010 this weekend, two additional years older than the original review, and its still drinking incredibly well. i get a ton of molasses and maple, a really cool ale yeast still cooking away, and a now effervescent texture, this has definitely taken on even more carbonation over this time. i like the booziness as it warms, and reckon this is one of the best beers in its style anywhere. i wish i could get more beer from these guys, this one has now blown my mind twice!!!
Jul 08, 2016
4.49/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
i just had a bottle of this from 2010 off the vintage beer list at bull and bush, really fair pricing too on this, considering its age and now rarity. i really enjoyed it, its like a big chewy liquid molasses cookie, gingersnap or something, not sure if this is actually spiced or not, but it sure tastes like it is. deep copper colored, past rust to a dark caramel color, just redder than brown. lots of body and a frothy tan heady with outstanding retention. brown sugar, molasses, dried ginger, honey, loosely belgian yeast, fruitcake, booze, maple, even clove present themselves in the nose and taste of this, it really does have a fresh baked wintery cookie vibe to it, mild banana in there, tons of molasses, rich and sweet and full bodied, but with considerable more depth than most belgian dubbel types or even barleywines that i have known. its downright impressive really, warm and comforting, filling in just the right way, still active in feel, nothing like it out there that i am at all aware of. surprised to see others have not liked this more, but i suppose six years in the bottle has allowed it to evolve quite a lot. do yourself a favor and pick up an extra one for the cellar, this is one of the best aged beers i have ever had. world class, this should be hyped up. never even heard of this brewery before...
edit: has another bottle from 2010 this weekend, two additional years older than the original review, and its still drinking incredibly well. i get a ton of molasses and maple, a really cool ale yeast still cooking away, and a now effervescent texture, this has definitely taken on even more carbonation over this time. i like the booziness as it warms, and reckon this is one of the best beers in its style anywhere. i wish i could get more beer from these guys, this one has now blown my mind twice!!!
Jul 08, 2016
VbolieuV from Canada (QC)
4.27/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Cloudy dark brown with red hue under light with a small off-white head and lots of carbonation.
Aromas of dark fruits, malts and some caramel. You can also smell some of the yeast.
The smell is really underwhelming compared to the taste. Lots of flavors, mostly of dark fruits, sweet malts, caramel, some spices also. Really really good.
Nice feeling on the tongue, lots of carbonation.
Mar 31, 2016
4.27/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Cloudy dark brown with red hue under light with a small off-white head and lots of carbonation.
Aromas of dark fruits, malts and some caramel. You can also smell some of the yeast.
The smell is really underwhelming compared to the taste. Lots of flavors, mostly of dark fruits, sweet malts, caramel, some spices also. Really really good.
Nice feeling on the tongue, lots of carbonation.
Mar 31, 2016
HopsAreDaMan from Missouri
3.57/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
(Review a day later) 500ml bottle, dated Feb 2010 (5.5 years old to date). As soon as I opened it (at a beer club), it gushed foam all of the place, spilling out nearly a third of the beer. What I was able to salvage, and taste, was good (I also got some good feedback from those who tried it): very smooth, with definitive dark fruit flavors. I'm glad I tried it, but I wouldn't want to buy another, as I don't want to risk having to waste much of the beer all over again.
Oct 03, 2015
3.57/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
(Review a day later) 500ml bottle, dated Feb 2010 (5.5 years old to date). As soon as I opened it (at a beer club), it gushed foam all of the place, spilling out nearly a third of the beer. What I was able to salvage, and taste, was good (I also got some good feedback from those who tried it): very smooth, with definitive dark fruit flavors. I'm glad I tried it, but I wouldn't want to buy another, as I don't want to risk having to waste much of the beer all over again.
Oct 03, 2015
johnnnniee from New Hampshire
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from the brewpub sampled in the hotel room.
Rich chocolate caramel and fruit notes. Paired great with the raspberry brownie ice cream I had for desert.
Jul 10, 2015
4/5 rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bottle from the brewpub sampled in the hotel room.
Rich chocolate caramel and fruit notes. Paired great with the raspberry brownie ice cream I had for desert.
Jul 10, 2015
thebeers from Pennsylvania
3.87/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Reddish brown with tons of bubbles up the sides of the glass and a bubbly off-white head that's quick to disappear with zero lacing. Smells strongly of currants, raisins and other dark fruits, some cherry cola and even a little maple syrup. Definitely malt forward in taste, with some of the same flavors as in the aroma, but surprisingly dry. Nice amount of hop bitterness in the background for balance, as well as a tiny herbal aroma and flavor in there too. Sort of a scraping bubbles, cleansing mouthfeel. Decent, but still not as great as the classics.
Mar 11, 2015
3.87/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Reddish brown with tons of bubbles up the sides of the glass and a bubbly off-white head that's quick to disappear with zero lacing. Smells strongly of currants, raisins and other dark fruits, some cherry cola and even a little maple syrup. Definitely malt forward in taste, with some of the same flavors as in the aroma, but surprisingly dry. Nice amount of hop bitterness in the background for balance, as well as a tiny herbal aroma and flavor in there too. Sort of a scraping bubbles, cleansing mouthfeel. Decent, but still not as great as the classics.
Mar 11, 2015
Haydn-Juby from Vermont
4.65/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A: about two fingers of a slightly beige head. Slightly higher than moderate rates of carbonation are visible. It's a dark auburn sort of color, raisin would be an accurate descriptor of color.
S: Dark fruits, some darkly caramelized sugars, a bit of some spicy phenols.
T: This is great, absolutely great. Initially I was hit with some dark fruit , think in the vein of raisin or grape, followed up with some slight spiciness. I also get just a bit of star anise, which is great because usually i find spiced beers overly spiced. The star anise really just adds another complex layer to the beer. Maybe a bit of a bready/munich malt type flavor. When it was warming up I even got a bit of a sweet milk chocolate.Overall, very complex.
F: Carbonation is good. Not overly fizzy, as I find many brewers hear belgian and go overboard, but well done. Mouth feel is not overly thick making the beer extremely drinkable.
O: This is an amazing beer! Highly recommend it. It easily competes with the greats and IMO beats out Chimay and Maudite. Even though it's a bit strong to be a Dubbel, it makes for a fantastic dark strong. This is good stuff!
Jan 25, 2015
4.65/5 rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A: about two fingers of a slightly beige head. Slightly higher than moderate rates of carbonation are visible. It's a dark auburn sort of color, raisin would be an accurate descriptor of color.
S: Dark fruits, some darkly caramelized sugars, a bit of some spicy phenols.
T: This is great, absolutely great. Initially I was hit with some dark fruit , think in the vein of raisin or grape, followed up with some slight spiciness. I also get just a bit of star anise, which is great because usually i find spiced beers overly spiced. The star anise really just adds another complex layer to the beer. Maybe a bit of a bready/munich malt type flavor. When it was warming up I even got a bit of a sweet milk chocolate.Overall, very complex.
F: Carbonation is good. Not overly fizzy, as I find many brewers hear belgian and go overboard, but well done. Mouth feel is not overly thick making the beer extremely drinkable.
O: This is an amazing beer! Highly recommend it. It easily competes with the greats and IMO beats out Chimay and Maudite. Even though it's a bit strong to be a Dubbel, it makes for a fantastic dark strong. This is good stuff!
Jan 25, 2015
NeroFiddled from Pennsylvania
4/5 rDev +1%
Microbrasserie Charlevoix "Dominus Vobiscum Double"
500 ml. brown glass bottle, "Bottled on 14/07/08 9:10"
Hazy ruby-accented dark russet brown body beneath a frothy head of light tan. A bit of zesty carbonation is common for the style so that makes sense, and the quick rising bubbles help to bolster the head, giving it great head retention. The aroma displays dark skinned fruits and spiciness with a little bit of brown sugar and caramel thrown in to round it out, and the flavor follows suit, simply adding a touch of grassy (and perhaps spicy...?) hops to the background. The fermentation seems clean, other than producing the brilliant dark fruitiness and (some) spice; and it's well-balanced by a moderate to median bitterness (it's kind of hard to tell with the carbonic bite of the CO2). Not a lot of brewers are producing this style of beer right now, and certainly not to this quality. This is also a very fresh bottle, and I think that a few months of aging might soften it and open it up a bit to reveal a greater depth of maltiness. Impressive. I'm going to have to seek out more offerings from this brewery.
Oct 03, 2014
4/5 rDev +1%
Microbrasserie Charlevoix "Dominus Vobiscum Double"
500 ml. brown glass bottle, "Bottled on 14/07/08 9:10"
Hazy ruby-accented dark russet brown body beneath a frothy head of light tan. A bit of zesty carbonation is common for the style so that makes sense, and the quick rising bubbles help to bolster the head, giving it great head retention. The aroma displays dark skinned fruits and spiciness with a little bit of brown sugar and caramel thrown in to round it out, and the flavor follows suit, simply adding a touch of grassy (and perhaps spicy...?) hops to the background. The fermentation seems clean, other than producing the brilliant dark fruitiness and (some) spice; and it's well-balanced by a moderate to median bitterness (it's kind of hard to tell with the carbonic bite of the CO2). Not a lot of brewers are producing this style of beer right now, and certainly not to this quality. This is also a very fresh bottle, and I think that a few months of aging might soften it and open it up a bit to reveal a greater depth of maltiness. Impressive. I'm going to have to seek out more offerings from this brewery.
Oct 03, 2014
Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
4.09/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 3/13/2013 at 45 degrees into goblet
Aroma of malt, figs, and a hint of alcohol
Head large (6 cm), light brown, creamy with rocks, very slowly diminishing to
Lacing from initial pour poor – a few small islands with both large and small bubbles. However subsequent pours give thick rings with stalactites.
Body dark brown, opaque
Flavor begins with the heavy sweetness of dates and figs, followed by a quickly receding stomach burn – the alcohol doesn’t show in the flavor. The flavor ends quickly leaving only a slight sweetness. No diacetyl, no hops.
Palate medium, creamy, lively carbonation
This is a very good beer, very similar to Unibroue’s Le Terrible, just slightly rougher. It looks good, smells great, and is very flavorful.
Jun 09, 2014
4.09/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottled 3/13/2013 at 45 degrees into goblet
Aroma of malt, figs, and a hint of alcohol
Head large (6 cm), light brown, creamy with rocks, very slowly diminishing to
Lacing from initial pour poor – a few small islands with both large and small bubbles. However subsequent pours give thick rings with stalactites.
Body dark brown, opaque
Flavor begins with the heavy sweetness of dates and figs, followed by a quickly receding stomach burn – the alcohol doesn’t show in the flavor. The flavor ends quickly leaving only a slight sweetness. No diacetyl, no hops.
Palate medium, creamy, lively carbonation
This is a very good beer, very similar to Unibroue’s Le Terrible, just slightly rougher. It looks good, smells great, and is very flavorful.
Jun 09, 2014
Lordhelmit from North Carolina
2.42/5 rDev -38.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
Appearance is your typical dark amber. Nothing significant. Had a good head upon pouring.
Smell was great - had high hopes. Smelled like...pomegranate vineyard type stuff. Fruity. Pleasant.
taste - like vomit. i could not finish but half of the pint i bought. the taste was miserable. literally tasted like i was drinking someone's vomit.
mouthfeel - thin body. watery. not good.
overall - not impressed, for $4 a pint. will not buy again.
May 13, 2014
2.42/5 rDev -38.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.25
Appearance is your typical dark amber. Nothing significant. Had a good head upon pouring.
Smell was great - had high hopes. Smelled like...pomegranate vineyard type stuff. Fruity. Pleasant.
taste - like vomit. i could not finish but half of the pint i bought. the taste was miserable. literally tasted like i was drinking someone's vomit.
mouthfeel - thin body. watery. not good.
overall - not impressed, for $4 a pint. will not buy again.
May 13, 2014
mountdew1 from New Hampshire
3.79/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Best Buy April 13, 2014
Poured into tulip glass. A medium brown in color with plenty of reddish tint. Slight head, left a ring around the collar, light brown in color. Aroma was very fruity, a bit like a fig or plum, maybe a hint of grapes, small note of pepper. Taste was slighty malty, then shifted to a bit of sugary sweet with some fruit notes as well. Strange mouthfeel, no real coat, almost left the mouth dry. Not bad, but seemed drier than I would expect.
Mar 14, 2014
3.79/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
Best Buy April 13, 2014
Poured into tulip glass. A medium brown in color with plenty of reddish tint. Slight head, left a ring around the collar, light brown in color. Aroma was very fruity, a bit like a fig or plum, maybe a hint of grapes, small note of pepper. Taste was slighty malty, then shifted to a bit of sugary sweet with some fruit notes as well. Strange mouthfeel, no real coat, almost left the mouth dry. Not bad, but seemed drier than I would expect.
Mar 14, 2014
Fader from Canada (AB)
3.77/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A - Very dark brown, slight amber, average head, fades away with some lace left.
S - Deep rooted strong caramel, toffee like, not overly exciting.
T - Stays true to the nose, but enriches the flavors further, very nice toffee almost smoky.
M - Some carbonation, pretty smooth for such a rich beer.
O - Not my favourite style, but very good beer, the brewer does not disappoint.
Feb 23, 2014
3.77/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A - Very dark brown, slight amber, average head, fades away with some lace left.
S - Deep rooted strong caramel, toffee like, not overly exciting.
T - Stays true to the nose, but enriches the flavors further, very nice toffee almost smoky.
M - Some carbonation, pretty smooth for such a rich beer.
O - Not my favourite style, but very good beer, the brewer does not disappoint.
Feb 23, 2014
kaufmaal from Alabama
4.39/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 4/13/11.
Dark brown pour, toasted oat colored head that disappeared to a thin line. Ripe fig smell with some caramel, browned butter, raisin, black cherry soda. Wonderful carbonation - very clean tasting. The flavors have mellowed a bit, and everything is slightly muted, flavor wise: rum raisins, dark brown sugar, vanilla bean. There a bit of boozyness to the aftertaste, and just the right amount of sour, like overripe bananas. I'd gladly search this one out again.
Jan 20, 2014
4.39/5 rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Bottled on 4/13/11.
Dark brown pour, toasted oat colored head that disappeared to a thin line. Ripe fig smell with some caramel, browned butter, raisin, black cherry soda. Wonderful carbonation - very clean tasting. The flavors have mellowed a bit, and everything is slightly muted, flavor wise: rum raisins, dark brown sugar, vanilla bean. There a bit of boozyness to the aftertaste, and just the right amount of sour, like overripe bananas. I'd gladly search this one out again.
Jan 20, 2014
byronic from Canada (ON)
3.7/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a very dark brown, nice thick two fingers of head which fades slowly leaving lacing in white puffy clouds.
Strong aroma of fig, raisins and hints of brown sugar. Overall a great smelling beer.
Tastes of malt and fruits with a sweet finish. When the sweetness starts to fade the alcohol is quite present in the aftertaste.
A nice creamy drink with a dry (alcohol) finish. Fairly lively (medium?) carbonation for a dubbel.
A nice enjoyable take on a dubbel. Only downside seems to be aging. I've tried two with just over a year of age, this particular brew seem better fresh.
Dec 05, 2013
3.7/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Pours a very dark brown, nice thick two fingers of head which fades slowly leaving lacing in white puffy clouds.
Strong aroma of fig, raisins and hints of brown sugar. Overall a great smelling beer.
Tastes of malt and fruits with a sweet finish. When the sweetness starts to fade the alcohol is quite present in the aftertaste.
A nice creamy drink with a dry (alcohol) finish. Fairly lively (medium?) carbonation for a dubbel.
A nice enjoyable take on a dubbel. Only downside seems to be aging. I've tried two with just over a year of age, this particular brew seem better fresh.
Dec 05, 2013
One2Remeber from Florida
4.29/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Dirty brown, deep dark amber hue. Real lively, bubbles shooting up. Moderate head, fizzy/fades quickly, dark off-white, light beige color.
S: Apple, figs, cider. Hint of booze. Brown sugar undertone. Extremely clean.
T: Light coco, toffee. Sugary sweet. Slightly meaty (umami) yeast flavors. Hint of black pepper spice on the back end, lingering with crisp flavors.
M: Smooth, balance of creamy (upfront) and dry (finish). Mild carbonation, not faint or overpowering.
O: Very clean interpretation. For dubbel drinkers this a must try. Well-put together, pronounced flavors, complex yet easy to drink. Water/yeast characteristics similar to a Unibroue product.
Jun 02, 2013
4.29/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
A: Dirty brown, deep dark amber hue. Real lively, bubbles shooting up. Moderate head, fizzy/fades quickly, dark off-white, light beige color.
S: Apple, figs, cider. Hint of booze. Brown sugar undertone. Extremely clean.
T: Light coco, toffee. Sugary sweet. Slightly meaty (umami) yeast flavors. Hint of black pepper spice on the back end, lingering with crisp flavors.
M: Smooth, balance of creamy (upfront) and dry (finish). Mild carbonation, not faint or overpowering.
O: Very clean interpretation. For dubbel drinkers this a must try. Well-put together, pronounced flavors, complex yet easy to drink. Water/yeast characteristics similar to a Unibroue product.
Jun 02, 2013
TheDoctor from Canada (QC)
3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A:
Pours a slightly cloudy brownish amber, with a thick, brownish red head and really active carbonation. Takes a couple pours. Head is airy and scummy and maintains really well. Great retention big, gloppy lacing.
S:
Really sweet and yeast-heavy. Some malt with lots of fruity banana tones from the yeast. Also has a persistent "beery" smell due to the high ABV (I assume).
T:
Thick with a pervasive hop feel. Really strong caramel notes and the tiniest tinge of dry hoppy bitterness.
M:
Chewy and soft just like caramel (which is exactly what it tastes like). Pretty warm and boozy but not enough to elicit a shudder. Muddy hop flavors give way to rising malt tones and a long caramel-drench, yeast-tinged finish.
O:
Good beer. It is unified and neither overly nor underly complex. A lot going on but nothing to distract. A little sweet for my taste but the welcome balancing presence of the hops does wonders. Probably won't become a staple or anything but I could have a couple without getting burnt out on it. Would drink again.
May 27, 2013
3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A:
Pours a slightly cloudy brownish amber, with a thick, brownish red head and really active carbonation. Takes a couple pours. Head is airy and scummy and maintains really well. Great retention big, gloppy lacing.
S:
Really sweet and yeast-heavy. Some malt with lots of fruity banana tones from the yeast. Also has a persistent "beery" smell due to the high ABV (I assume).
T:
Thick with a pervasive hop feel. Really strong caramel notes and the tiniest tinge of dry hoppy bitterness.
M:
Chewy and soft just like caramel (which is exactly what it tastes like). Pretty warm and boozy but not enough to elicit a shudder. Muddy hop flavors give way to rising malt tones and a long caramel-drench, yeast-tinged finish.
O:
Good beer. It is unified and neither overly nor underly complex. A lot going on but nothing to distract. A little sweet for my taste but the welcome balancing presence of the hops does wonders. Probably won't become a staple or anything but I could have a couple without getting burnt out on it. Would drink again.
May 27, 2013
Misanthropy_Sipping from Nebraska
4.88/5 rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Had this a few years ago and remember really enjoying it. Saw a few on clearance and bought the last three. So, I have been cellaring these for maybe a year and a half now. Cracked one open tonight.
Pours a really nice crimson brown, ruby edges and maybe a bit tan in the thinnest spots. Very thin bubbly head that dissipates quick with bubbles that hang around edges and a few in the center for most of the drinking experience. Really nice. Just what I would expect out of a dubbel (double, whatever). Pretty for a dubbel I should say.
The smell is really gentle. Very gentle... kind of floral sweet with red plum tones, maybe a bit of light honey... kind of a cola scent. Not mass production cola, but the herbal cola you can still get in health food stores... or Whole Food sometimes. Almost this sort of damp vegetation scent... pleasant though, like a field after a rain kind of sweet damp, veg.
I think a little time has done this some good. Went from really good to really great for me.
Heads with a gentle sweet earthiness and then plunges fast into almost a ginger bread, ginger christmas cookies sort of spiciness. Definitely a lot of warm spice. Really helps balance the booze, which my bottle says is 9%. I taste hints of fresh figs, and then comes a surprise. Dark cherry, the kind you get that if that sat for another day they would be rotten. Sweet, but not too sweet. Mellow, but flavorful. This comes with the next interesting thing. The herbal cola taste that the smell puts off. I've had several herbal colas (if you never have, try one, hunt one down). This is not a Coca-Cola or Pepsi... non of that. Very herbal, slightly floral, and the spiciness lingers a bit with it. Maybe hints of port? Vanilla? Settles out just the slightest bit bitter... and I mean SLIGHT. This beer would appeal to people who want very little hop bitters. The booze finds its way and warms up the end just a tad. A bit of the bitter is probably from the booze as well.
Through all this, it is very clean... surprisingly clean. It is just a bit sticky at the back of the mouth. The carbonation helps to lighten it up. It has a medium body. But the carbonation helps out a lot.
Overall, the smell was surprisingly quiet. But this was exceptionally balanced and, I felt, pushed to the limits. If this beer had more spice, if it had more malt, more sweetness, more carbonation, more of anything! It would have felt overdone. But this was great. This was really great. Kind of a dream dubbel for me. I've had dubbels from Belgium and Trappists that have nothing on this. A great interpretation to the style. I will be getting this again in the future without even a second thought.
Apr 23, 2013
4.88/5 rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Had this a few years ago and remember really enjoying it. Saw a few on clearance and bought the last three. So, I have been cellaring these for maybe a year and a half now. Cracked one open tonight.
Pours a really nice crimson brown, ruby edges and maybe a bit tan in the thinnest spots. Very thin bubbly head that dissipates quick with bubbles that hang around edges and a few in the center for most of the drinking experience. Really nice. Just what I would expect out of a dubbel (double, whatever). Pretty for a dubbel I should say.
The smell is really gentle. Very gentle... kind of floral sweet with red plum tones, maybe a bit of light honey... kind of a cola scent. Not mass production cola, but the herbal cola you can still get in health food stores... or Whole Food sometimes. Almost this sort of damp vegetation scent... pleasant though, like a field after a rain kind of sweet damp, veg.
I think a little time has done this some good. Went from really good to really great for me.
Heads with a gentle sweet earthiness and then plunges fast into almost a ginger bread, ginger christmas cookies sort of spiciness. Definitely a lot of warm spice. Really helps balance the booze, which my bottle says is 9%. I taste hints of fresh figs, and then comes a surprise. Dark cherry, the kind you get that if that sat for another day they would be rotten. Sweet, but not too sweet. Mellow, but flavorful. This comes with the next interesting thing. The herbal cola taste that the smell puts off. I've had several herbal colas (if you never have, try one, hunt one down). This is not a Coca-Cola or Pepsi... non of that. Very herbal, slightly floral, and the spiciness lingers a bit with it. Maybe hints of port? Vanilla? Settles out just the slightest bit bitter... and I mean SLIGHT. This beer would appeal to people who want very little hop bitters. The booze finds its way and warms up the end just a tad. A bit of the bitter is probably from the booze as well.
Through all this, it is very clean... surprisingly clean. It is just a bit sticky at the back of the mouth. The carbonation helps to lighten it up. It has a medium body. But the carbonation helps out a lot.
Overall, the smell was surprisingly quiet. But this was exceptionally balanced and, I felt, pushed to the limits. If this beer had more spice, if it had more malt, more sweetness, more carbonation, more of anything! It would have felt overdone. But this was great. This was really great. Kind of a dream dubbel for me. I've had dubbels from Belgium and Trappists that have nothing on this. A great interpretation to the style. I will be getting this again in the future without even a second thought.
Apr 23, 2013
Beelzebeer from Canada ()
4.55/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle, bottled on Nov 11/11, making it a little less than a year
A - Dark brown, approaching black. Dense thick head, with nice lacing. Looks delicious.
S - Dark bread, malt, raisin, some apricot, plum
T - Malt, brown sugar, a little leather. Carmalized sugars at the end.
M - Dense yet easy to roll. Goes down extemely well.
O - One of the niced dubbels I've ever had.
Oct 13, 2012
4.55/5 rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle, bottled on Nov 11/11, making it a little less than a year
A - Dark brown, approaching black. Dense thick head, with nice lacing. Looks delicious.
S - Dark bread, malt, raisin, some apricot, plum
T - Malt, brown sugar, a little leather. Carmalized sugars at the end.
M - Dense yet easy to roll. Goes down extemely well.
O - One of the niced dubbels I've ever had.
Oct 13, 2012
papat444 from Canada (QC)
3.53/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to Seany for this.
Poured from a 500ml. bottle, bottled 2012/01/12.
Appearance: A good half of the glass is filled with a light toffee colored heady that has a patchwork of tiny air bubbles and leaves lots of lacing. Dard brown with red wine tinges in the body.
Smell: Citrus mixed with brown sugar and also a candied sugar. Strong yeast presence gives it a nice aroma as does some spices.
Taste: Toffee at first with candy plums and fresh herbs. Good flavors but hard to pick out because the....
Mouthfeel: is very carbonated. I've had worse but it unnecessarily distracts. Better after about half an hour but damage is done.
Overall: This would rate much higher if it wasn't for the carbonation issues. Glad it's local so i can keep trying.
Sep 13, 2012
3.53/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Thanks to Seany for this.
Poured from a 500ml. bottle, bottled 2012/01/12.
Appearance: A good half of the glass is filled with a light toffee colored heady that has a patchwork of tiny air bubbles and leaves lots of lacing. Dard brown with red wine tinges in the body.
Smell: Citrus mixed with brown sugar and also a candied sugar. Strong yeast presence gives it a nice aroma as does some spices.
Taste: Toffee at first with candy plums and fresh herbs. Good flavors but hard to pick out because the....
Mouthfeel: is very carbonated. I've had worse but it unnecessarily distracts. Better after about half an hour but damage is done.
Overall: This would rate much higher if it wasn't for the carbonation issues. Glad it's local so i can keep trying.
Sep 13, 2012
endovelico from Portugal
3.73/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Creme, spongy head that soufflés out, leaving no lace. The brew is mahogany with reddish highlights and low perceived effervescence.
Aroma: Medium low in intensity. Chocolate-y, ashy with strong caramel notes.
Taste: Candy sugar, alcohol warmness, some higher alcohols, some raisins, some fig, spices.
Palate: Medium to medium full. Low to medium carbonation. Low bitterness. Kinda soapy and flat texture.
Overall: A decent Dubbel, but too conservative in my eyes. Severly low in depth, it's more protuberant quality is the alcohol play. The carbonation, ABV and residual sugar ratio proves effective and very enjoyable in allowing for a smooth buzz, that pervades without much notice.
Sep 11, 2012
3.73/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Appearance: Creme, spongy head that soufflés out, leaving no lace. The brew is mahogany with reddish highlights and low perceived effervescence.
Aroma: Medium low in intensity. Chocolate-y, ashy with strong caramel notes.
Taste: Candy sugar, alcohol warmness, some higher alcohols, some raisins, some fig, spices.
Palate: Medium to medium full. Low to medium carbonation. Low bitterness. Kinda soapy and flat texture.
Overall: A decent Dubbel, but too conservative in my eyes. Severly low in depth, it's more protuberant quality is the alcohol play. The carbonation, ABV and residual sugar ratio proves effective and very enjoyable in allowing for a smooth buzz, that pervades without much notice.
Sep 11, 2012
mick303 from Canada (ON)
4.28/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice creamy tan head of one finger that lingers around forever, good to see such a solid retention and lacing on a non-Euro Trappist-style. Colour is really dark, a dark/blackish chestnut brown.
Aroma is very fragrant and picks up some of the spices used in the brew. Light and fresh esters overtop of a big body of boozy malt fruitiness. Intoxicating.
Taste is very rich, some dark fruitiness, caramel malts. Great complexity, spices are just present enough to give an interesting flavour kick without getting in the way of the beer. Finish is nice and full, with maltiness that lingers, beer warms all the way down.
Mouthfeel is really full. I find it quite well balanced, theres a slight bitterness, and the alcohol is quite well hidden, very warming.
Was quite impressed with this example, seems to stack up with some of the better examples of the style. The balance and complexity of this are solid and it makes a very drinkable and interesting beer. Worth seeking out.
Jul 13, 2012
4.28/5 rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a nice creamy tan head of one finger that lingers around forever, good to see such a solid retention and lacing on a non-Euro Trappist-style. Colour is really dark, a dark/blackish chestnut brown.
Aroma is very fragrant and picks up some of the spices used in the brew. Light and fresh esters overtop of a big body of boozy malt fruitiness. Intoxicating.
Taste is very rich, some dark fruitiness, caramel malts. Great complexity, spices are just present enough to give an interesting flavour kick without getting in the way of the beer. Finish is nice and full, with maltiness that lingers, beer warms all the way down.
Mouthfeel is really full. I find it quite well balanced, theres a slight bitterness, and the alcohol is quite well hidden, very warming.
Was quite impressed with this example, seems to stack up with some of the better examples of the style. The balance and complexity of this are solid and it makes a very drinkable and interesting beer. Worth seeking out.
Jul 13, 2012
LiquidAmber from Washington
4.12/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Review from 11/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a semi opaque, somewhat muddy red-orange amber. Thick, aggressive head (foamed out of the bottle), leaving light lacing; lasts a long time. Sweet caramel malt and very spicy aroma. Taste is sweet malts, raisins, dark fruit, brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon, complex. Middle and finish are lighter versions of the start, almost seems a slight let down that there is not a burst of flavor at the end. Still a complex, but subtle flavoring. Quite different. I would like to try other ales from this brewery.
Jul 12, 2012
4.12/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Review from 11/2010 notes. Poured into a Nostradamus flute glass. Pours a semi opaque, somewhat muddy red-orange amber. Thick, aggressive head (foamed out of the bottle), leaving light lacing; lasts a long time. Sweet caramel malt and very spicy aroma. Taste is sweet malts, raisins, dark fruit, brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon, complex. Middle and finish are lighter versions of the start, almost seems a slight let down that there is not a burst of flavor at the end. Still a complex, but subtle flavoring. Quite different. I would like to try other ales from this brewery.
Jul 12, 2012
drpimento from Wisconsin
3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Good beer. Poured at a good temperature with a smallish, foamy, tan head that soon settles to a self-replenishing island and ring and no lace. Color is a hazy/cloudy amber copper with some tiny bubble trails. Aroma is malt, fruit, spice. Flavor is like nose plus sweet up front, followed by carbonic tang, little bitterness. Body is full and round and has the right carbonation to cut the sweetness. Finish is like flavor, average length, and boozy.
Jun 02, 2012
3.94/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Good beer. Poured at a good temperature with a smallish, foamy, tan head that soon settles to a self-replenishing island and ring and no lace. Color is a hazy/cloudy amber copper with some tiny bubble trails. Aroma is malt, fruit, spice. Flavor is like nose plus sweet up front, followed by carbonic tang, little bitterness. Body is full and round and has the right carbonation to cut the sweetness. Finish is like flavor, average length, and boozy.
Jun 02, 2012
csiewert from Oregon
3.75/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - deep garnet color with a finger of head that retains well and laces well as well... So many wells
S - spices... Coriander, orange peel, banana eaters and dark fruit
T - starts with the spices... coriander and maybe some sweet orange peel. Then has a hint of dark fruits and candi sugars. Any malt characteristics are hidden to me.
M - slightly slightly cloyingly sweet... Not bad though... Carb could be a little higher.
O - a good beer to pick up and give a try, you might like it a lot
May 30, 2012
3.75/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
A - deep garnet color with a finger of head that retains well and laces well as well... So many wells
S - spices... Coriander, orange peel, banana eaters and dark fruit
T - starts with the spices... coriander and maybe some sweet orange peel. Then has a hint of dark fruits and candi sugars. Any malt characteristics are hidden to me.
M - slightly slightly cloyingly sweet... Not bad though... Carb could be a little higher.
O - a good beer to pick up and give a try, you might like it a lot
May 30, 2012
Dominus Vobiscum Double from Microbrasserie Charlevoix
Beer rating:
88 out of
100 with
165 ratings
0 characters. We love reviews! Turn your rating into one with ≥ 150 characters.
Explain why you're giving this rating. Your review must discuss the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) and your overall impression in order to indicate that you have legitimately tried the beer. Nonconstructive reviews may be removed without notice and action may be taken on your account.
Close