Last night I bought a bomber of Duvel for the first time in quite a while. I noticed that It had a standard cap rather that what I remembered being a cork and cage. I poured it and initially it seemed to be what I usually get, a thick head with strong small bubbles. I was surprised though that the head mostly dissipated within about a minute. The beer wasn't flat but it definitely was less carbonated than I am accustomed to. So has anyone else noticed this. Could it be due to the packaging change or maybe did I just get and old bottle?
no I never was a fan of Duvel. its decent but its always been geared to the hoppy crowd. I would think the cork would seal better, but some of these big guys are going cheap.
I poured a bottle with the cap and it was the same voluminous head that I was used to in the past (wish I could say that bolded part applied to my real life, but I digress)
Wonder why the title of this thread was changed? It wasn't "flat" It was just more pilsner like and not as thick of a head as it should have been
I saw that they changed from corks n cages to caps and it made me sad because popping a cork was worth atleast 2-3$ to me lol
I've noticed no carbonation or head retention issues with any of the Duvel I've had. Could it have been a "dirtier" (slight soap or oil residue, etc) than usual glass? I have no idea what you're getting at other than just piling on for a different beer. Don De Dieu has literally nothing to do with Duvel other than being the same style.
I drink Duvel all the time and I have never had a flat bottle. That is so strange. I'm no expert, but I would buy into the dirty glass theory as well, or something went wrong in the "bottle conditioning" phase. Who knows, but it certainly isn't normal
Not Duvel but I've had this problem with Van Steenberge's Piraat. Both with the Cork and Caged and Pop Cap. While I enjoy that beer when the carbonation is right. Yet with those two were not as poppin, I'm guessing they were too old. I've had it since and it's popping great. Don't let that bad bottle sway you from enjoying that brew.
I think this is very rare. I have never had a flat Duval and every time I had it it had that large ice cream head that never seems to disappear.
I've drank a shit ton of it and never had that happen to me. The head is what makes it so unique. For what it's worth, Duvel is what got me into the fine mess I'm in now...years ago.
Let's just say it's a lot I've got a couple in the fridge right now, but it's their Triple Hop and you would not drink it (even though it's not really that hoppy). I think you would enjoy the original, however. Cheers!
OP had a problem with Duvel. It sucks that you had a problem with Don de Dieu, but it has nothing to do with OP's problem.