Double Barrel Dubbel
Brewery Ommegang

"Double your pleasure, double your fun" seems like a slogan better meant for this beer than some cheesy 1980's bubblegum ad. But as the notion of "double" permeates the Ommegang brewery, a double oak treatment of both brandy and bourbon barrels stacked on top of a formidable Belgian styled dubbel ale seems like a challenge just waiting to happen.

Russet brown and with a tawny bronze haze, the firmly capped Double Barrel Dubbel strikes the nose with brandy and bourbon force. The boozy aromatics are strong while wrapped in a soothing blend of stone fruit and caramelized malts. Medium sweet on the front of the tongue, a steely caramel flavor brings about suggestions of pecan, light cocoa, light coffee and brown sugar.

The middle palate shows a quick recession of sweetness where the remnants of toast, peanut skins, pepper and cola-like flavors to persist. Mild coffee and cocoa continue to roll into the barrel spices of brandy, bourbon, red wine, strong peppercorn, cinnamon and a bold tannic property. Savory with notions of port, sherry and madeira keep the spices supported in a sweet, spicy and savory late palate.

Medium full on the tongue, the beer's hefty set of flavors have the mind trending richer in taste and texture, but the barrel spices, booze and vinous tartness of the underlying ale all play a more moderate tone. A long linger of savory, sweet and spicy complexities have the beer rewarding the tastebuds like richer, fuller ale.

Mahogany color. Medium-sized, off-white head . Toasted malt, dark fruits, vanilla, and oak in the aroma. Moderately sweet, well-balanced taste . Notes of bourbon/brandy in the aftertaste.

 

 

 

12 oz bottle, born on 7/22/20, poured into an Omme Gang tulip glass at 49 degrees F:
L - caramel in color with a hazelnut head that lingered
S - roasted malt, toffee, bourbon
T - wonderful blend of bourbon, brandy, toffee, roasted malt
F - medium mouthfeel and carbonation
O - very good, great taste and flavor

 

On tap at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, NY.

This one pours a reddish brown color, with a small head, and not much lacing.

This smells like vinous dark fruit, caramel, simple syrup, vague spices, and bourbon.

This has a lot of potential to it, but it seems the brandy (cognac?) barrels on this have lent a bit too much fruity sweetness to this one, offsetting the balance for me a bit. There is some nice caramel and chocolate here, with a touch of spice, but there's just just too much dried fruitiness here.

This is medium bodied, with no real booziness to it, and a decent enough drinkability.

I wanted a bit more out of this one, but I still enjoyed it and was happy to have ordered it.

Tawny reddish amber pushing brown pour with slight haze from dregs - scant khaki head.
Toffee, dark fruit, slightly vinous nose - nutty, molasses, spice round out aroma.
Sweet caramel malt, dark fruit, nutty with molasses and just a touch of vinous tartness; bourbon warms at back.
Full sweet mouthfeel - moderate carbonation - warming mildly boozy sweet end.

 

Nice, Enjoyed this a lot. Poured into an Averbode large Tulip.
Big Flavour, Big Colour, and I drank it in a Big Glass.
Verging on a Tripel, with the richness, the thickness and colour, but immensely great to drink. The barrel flavours take away some of the sweetness I would expect with Belgians, but that is a delicate balance and they have succeeded IMO.
All around, would grab a case if I could but at 7.00/btl (Can) it will be an infrequent treat.

 

 

 

2019 release, drank 1/2021. Deep mahogany with lingering half finger tan head, nice lacing. Nose is full of dark fruits, raisins, and touch of coco powder. Taste up front is blast of raisins, dates that are drizzled in bourbon which fades into a nice caramel and soft cocoa, ends with a slight citrus zest and spice with a cool dryness. Cocoa remains on the palate with a long, and i mean long finish with maybe just a touch of ash. Medium body. Excellent beer, barrel is not in your face by any means, but instead adds to the complexity.