Belgian Dubbel
Northbound Brewpub

750ml crowler

Pours an extremely fizzy light brown head into a mason jar. Retention is very bad and the head fades in less than a minute. Initial lacing looks poor as well. Body is a deep amber, almost mahogany. Looks poor so far.

The nose however, is lovely. Huge esters of clove, stone fruit, and banana. Underlying notes of caramel malt. Wonderful.

Malt comes through much more on the flavor, to a surprising degree. Chocolate and bread are very prominent. Stone fruit on the back end, with clove coming out as well over time. Malts have noticeable depth, which I suppose is on-style, but I don’t recall them being this noticeable over the esters in past examples; I feel like it was the other way around on draft as well, which I had yesterday. I can’t help but wonder if it might be the smallest bit oxidized because of the slight malt overshadowing, but who knows. Regardless, this is nice, enjoyable, though probably better on draft.

Carbonation is on the higher side. Body drinks pretty light. A touch of sweetness, but finishes pretty dry, as it should. Bitterness is low. Small alcohol presence. Mouthfeel is good.

Drinkability is a little rough at times with the slight alcohol tinge.

Appearance turned out poor, zero lacing, as was true with the draft version.

Overall this is fine, but I’m being a little generous because I know the draft version was better. This has an odd grainy flavor to it that sometimes comes across as a nice deep maltiness, but as time goes on it comes across as more of an oxidized graininess.

draught
Medium dark caramel color, with a tiny amount of orange highlights. Almost completely clear. Mellow on the dark caramelized malt aroma, with a tiny whiff of clove. Some brightness at first taste. Medium roasted barley flavor with an effervescent bite. Doesn't have the dubbel flavors, but good they are.

IBU: 20

 

these guys are making some really tasty belgian style stuff right now, and this is a fine example of a dubbel, even if its a bit lighter, less complex, and lower in alcohol than many of them out there, its a nice fall drinker and a very well balanced and well refined ale overall. deep caramel color with some bronze hints to it, pretty head but it doesnt quite hold like a belgian should, great clarity though. aroma here is nutty and a little sweet, with chestnut and almond notes, toffee and brown sugar, and some white peppery and vinous character from the yeast, somewhat understated for the style, but nice. the flavor is somewhat more complex, with neat great layers, dark fruits and baked bread, that chateau malt richness but its fermented drier than a lot of these are which is neat, especially since the yeast never really takes over the beer. this has a wonderful autumnal complexion to it, a smoothness in the feel, and quite active carbonation, as i like in the style. there is a light candied note, some fig and raisin, and some light metallic thing that seems to actually make the finish a little cleaner. mellow almost session type take on the style, real well done!