St.Feuillien Dubbel

Rating:

“This brown ale has a marked ruby brown colour with a generous and lasting head. It has a distinctive aroma reflecting the wide range of ingredients used in its production. The fruitiness resulting from its fermentation blends harmoniously with a dominant liquorice and caramel flavour. The body is decidedly malty. The bitterness is the result of a complex alchemy between the fine hops and special malts used. These give St Feuillien Brune a typical dark chocolate appearance.”

Glassware: Trappist Chalice.

Appearance: Light brown with deep ruby red hues. A bit of a gusher…we had to pour straight away to avoid spilling it everywhere! It builds a huge four finger crown which retracts and settles to a bubbling egg shaped island. Laced very well.

Aroma: You just can’t beat a traditional Belgian brewed Dubbel. The balance they hit is incredible considering the amount of syrupy sweetness it offers. Caramel, toffee and butterscotch for days with the yeast esters (banana, clove, bubblegum) backing up. Kind of a dank herbal accent too…reminds us of spearmint or coriander. A bit of aniseed which introduces a hint of cola to the party as well. Gorgeous!

Flavour: Bang on point. Uber sweet caramels and toffee with a hint of earthy spice and candi sugars. A very faint touch of chocolate and toasted malt also balancing out. Dark fruits, yeast esters, brown bread and Noble hop-like herbals all band together and go on for an eternity.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and sticky yet well carbonated. Medium-full body. The 8.5% ABV is ridiculously well buried.

Overall: We haven’t had a Dubbel of this quality for yonks! The non-Belgian examples simply don’t have the depth and balance or character. We guess that’s what 900 years of perfecting your recipe will do. Brilliant.