Ovila Abbey Dubbel - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

SportsandJorts

Michigan

3.74/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Type: on-tap
Glass: tulip
From: Ashley's in Ann Arbor
Price: $6.50

Appearance: black in color with a tan lacing along the sides when I got it. opaque.

Smell: dark fruits and belgian yeast

Taste: Same as the nose. well brewed but nothing special or interesting.

Mouthfeel: smooth and medium bodied.

Overall: a good Belgian dubbel certainly drinkable but I was expecting something bit more special

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 20:55:37 | More by SportsandJorts

ChBass

Texas

3.73/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Served in a tulip at the Hay Merchant in Houston.

Color is dark brown with a little bit of red when held up to the light. It's crystal clear, with a think, creamy head that takes its trime to subside.

The nose is slightly boozy, followed by some dark fruit.

The flavor builds on the nose, adding some dark maltiness. It finishes clean, but has some booziness throughout. I know it's 7.5%, but the booziness is still surprising.

It feels lighter & less viscous than it should, given the fullness of flavor.

Overall, a nice beer, but I don't love it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2012 23:16:05 | More by ChBass

Con-a-sewer

4.7/5  rDev +23.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: dark ruby poured into sniffer no head little lacing

S: raisen fig slight booze bourbon

T: malt, raisen ripe fruit, awesome bourbon

M: smooth, clean crispness easy to drink

O: I like this a lot it's smooth and rich I like the aged taste it makes me feel sophisticated at least until I hit the floor lol

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2012 01:34:26 | More by Con-a-sewer

Philousa

California

2.63/5  rDev -31%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Imbibed on tap at The Rose & Crown 5/25/2012.

Opaque chestnut, rust color with a ring of delicate bubble around the rim. Nothing covers the bald top. Good amount of Belgian dark malt. Nutty and a little bit of metallic penny aroma. Solid, but not complex. Very nutty and creamy flavor. Some candied sugar is evident but not annoying. No bitterness from hops, but malt bitterness lingers nicely/smoothly. A bit watery, this beer finishes dry.

Not very complex, but much more smooth than other Dubbels I've tried. Many times there will be an annoying flavor accompanied with an itching in the back of my throat when having a dark Belgian, but none of that with this beer (I think they toned down the candied sugar). Solid, but I'm not intrigued enough to try this one again.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2012 04:34:59 | More by Philousa

denver10

Colorado

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a dark brown with a healthy off white head. Yeasty, sweet, fruity aroma. Flavor is on the sweet side of things. Taste is bready,, some banana, some carmelized brown sugar, maybe some other fruity flavors there too. Nice active moutfeel. The more I drank of this, the more it grew on me. First couple sips had me in doubt but by the end I was ready to order another.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2012 05:08:32 | More by denver10

jjboesen

Maryland

4.4/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This reveiw is based on a goblet quaffed at Max's Taphouse in Baltimore (a goblet that they let me keep!).

It pours out a thick and spongy head, one that slowly sinks into a filmy crown of lace atop a mysterious russet body; this one retains little lacing throughout. The nose gets a few whiffs of cinnamon and raisin with a few specks of vanilla thrown in for good measure. The palate initially is blanketed with plum; following this, comes a swift rush of brown sugar. This boasts a superb balance, one that makes for a comfortable mouthfeel.

While this is not a true Belgian dubble, it does make for an accurate (and highly drinkable) rendition of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-18-2011 23:45:05 | More by jjboesen

CampusCrew

Florida

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This was one of the beer I had at the Sierra Nevada beer dinner at Kickbacks. It was a big body for the dubbel style. roasty, deep dark brown from what I could tell. creeping BSDA. loaded with apple and caramel. Was a great night. Had amazingly paired food with one of my all time favorite breweries. I would love to have this beer again as well as others from the night.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2011 20:54:22 | More by CampusCrew

Jadjunk

Georgia

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

#124. Served at Taco Mac Decatur.

Served in an 11 ounce snifter.

(Appearance) Medium to dark brown color with minor surface cover. Light shines through the top and thin edges. There's not a lot of activity in this beer. It's quite calm. Minimal lacing. 3

(Smell) A mild fruity aroma. Very distinct dark grape fruit aroma. Almost like a dark wine, but the grape aroma is the most pronounced aroma I got in the smell, perhaps even like raisins. It's a really nice aroma but quite subtle. 4

(Taste) More mild grape flavor, lightly rounded out. Equal bitterness and sweet properties. A subtle but enjoyable taste. 4

(Mouthfeel) Mild and slick smooth. There's a medium body and a well concealed alcohol presence. 4

(Overall) Quite pleasant. A shameless take by Sierra Nevada on the tricky Dubbel. I'm glad I tried it. 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2011 02:49:58 | More by Jadjunk

koopa

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From Notes - Sampled on draft at the Copper Mine 8/7/11

Appearance: Pours a dull and slightly hazy caramel tinged orange with a 1/2 finger white crown that displays moderate retention and lace.

Smell: 4.3 so I'm rounding up a bit....Nice yeast profile (soft young brett over a slightly fruity malt) that dominates.

Taste: Same as the nose sans the fruity quality. Minor hop notes and a small honey/toffee like malt sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Decent.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 20:37:04 | More by koopa

OttoPeeWee

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Finally, a SN brew I really enjoy. This brew is spot on for the style in every regard except for the appearance as the head doesn't have the (almose bizzare) sustain like its Belgium counterparts.

Looks red brown with a thin head and some lacing. Smell is wonderful like dried cherries or dried rasberry. The taste is malty sweet almost candy like grape jam with plum and light carbination. Subtle hops. Warming subtle alcohol. Very different that other SN brews in that there is no piney (cascade?) hops to speak of. If you like dubbels this is a good one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-21-2011 13:08:19 | More by OttoPeeWee

OneDropSoup

Pennsylvania

3.2/5  rDev -16%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

On tap at Carnivore's in Oakmont, PA.

Poured into a shaker: Thin tan head that quickly drops to a dusting over a deep amber body, barely transparent.

Smell is a nice cooked strawberry at first, with a malty sweetness like light baked goods (pie crust?). Not very intense & can just make it out with a good, strong whiff, but good nonetheless.

Taste is dark fruit soon overtaken by booze & dryness, kind of a medicinal quality. Gains a little honey & bread sweetness, but still not great.

Medium body with a kind of metallic tang.

Man, another mediocre American-made dubbel. I can count on one hand how many decent American dubbels I've had. I finished the glass, but can't say there's really much noteworthy about it.

Serving type: on-tap

07-23-2011 00:54:15 | More by OneDropSoup

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Color is a nice dark amber with a touch of tan colored head. Looks kind creamy.

S - Kind of muted actually. Maybe some slight dark fruits and touches of rum soaked bread.

T - Wow is this smooth. I guess as far as Belgium Dubbel's go this one is the smoothest. I get some plum but what mostly seems like rum soaked raisin's, but no traceable alcohol to detect. Kind of watery but smooth at the same time with very little bittering yeast or hops.

M - Best part of this brew. It's alcohol is very hard to detect but clocks in at 7.5%

Overall it was very interesting to grab this on my flight of samples, and I almost grabbed another pint of it but went onto other things. Kind of a lackluster entry for some but it me it came off as a low ABV dubbel with rum notes. Would have it again if it's at the pub next week.

Serving type: on-tap

07-22-2011 03:59:28 | More by DrDemento456

BeerNemesis

New York

3.98/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ovila Abbey Dubbel | on-tap | 7.5% ABV | 2011

Brewer: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Style: Dubbel
Glass: tulip

Appearance:
Muted amber with a receding khaki head. Somehow I remember it being much more vibrant from the bottle. Interesting how lighting conditions make such a difference.

Aroma:
Sweet bready malt up front with brown sugar and fermenting dark fruits.

Taste:
There's a very nice light maltiness to this beer augmented by caramel and dark fruits. But it's all quite subtle, so even the light spicing provides adequate balance.

Mouthfeel:
Medium bodied and smooth, with just enough carbonation.

Harmony:
Ovila dubbel is a nice ale. It's balanced and it has some sophisticated flavors. I think this is good in a tripel.

Would I get it again?:
Yes (I've already had it in the bottle).

Bottled: on-tap at The Stag's Head (July 15, 2011)
Served: July 15, 2011

Price = $7.00 at The Stag's Head (NYC)

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 14:14:32 | More by BeerNemesis

dgilks

Australia

3.55/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear amber colour with some red highlights. Good creamy offwhite head with some good lacing. Nice.

Big fruity yeast aroma with a dose of liquorice. Nice spiciness.

This tastes distinctly like Chimay yeast with a big dose of malt sweetness and then some spicy yeast and a lot of raisins. Good.

Medium body with moderate carbonation. Nice.

A good dubbel with nice flavour and well handled yeast. Solid.

Serving type: on-tap

07-17-2011 05:18:33 | More by dgilks

barleywinefiend

Washington

3.28/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A: Poured a brownish color with ruby highlights, good white cap with some bubbles...appeared a bit thin

S: Yeast with some dark fruit and sugary sweetness

T: Dark fruit, yeast a sugary sweetness followed by a a sharp booziness. Pretty average.

M: Medium body, dry, sweet

O: Not my favorite of this style but its a pretty good beer overall.

Serving type: on-tap

07-13-2011 02:50:33 | More by barleywinefiend

mltobin

Connecticut

4.1/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Holy Smoke.

Appearance is a medium brown with an off-white head. Ovila has a very pleasant aroma, with some brown sugar, dark fruits, different spices. Its` taste has malts, caramel, belgian yeast, clove, a good balance of the different flavors. MF is medium, some nice carbonation. This is a nice dubbel and I look forward to trying the next beers in this series.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2011 23:58:58 | More by mltobin

smulkowski

Idaho

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pint poured at Enoteca, Post Falls, Idaho.

A: Prodigious head, light beige, quickly dissipating. Toffee brown/very dark honey/copper color.

S: Some spice, golden raisins, sweet malt, doesn't kick you in the face with that Belgian funkiness.

T: Relatively low funkiness from years, rich malts, a bit sugary, golden raisin and fig comes through strong.

M: Somewhat heavily carbonated, makes this creamy and silky.

O: Malty, complex, this is a tasty beer, and a great first run for a new brewing project, although probably not particularly representative of the style with low esters and funkiness.

Serving type: on-tap

07-02-2011 02:12:49 | More by smulkowski

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had on tap at Union Ale House--served into a pint glass

Appearance: minimal head, clear, caramel in color, moderate carbonation

Smell: figs and bread

Taste: bread, figs, dark fruit, apple, and some Belgian spices

Mouthfeel: sweet with a nice amount of spice and some bitterness in mid-swallow, low carbonation, medium bodied.

Drinkability: A good dubbel that is both parts bready and spicy. I could have several glasses of this. The fruit pops more in this one than other examples of the style. An enjoyable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-30-2011 12:58:53 | More by tigg924

nukem5

Pennsylvania

4.22/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a rich coffee color looks very delicious with it tan cap which slides down the entire glass.

S: Definitly sweet malts and dark fruits.Lots of fruits and some spices like clove which is pretty hefty on the nose followed by some and some raisin as well.

T: Fruity , malty , slightly boozy .Sweet malty character and some carmel flavors as well as some fruity bits like cherries and raisins.

M: Medium bodied and slightly alchohol taste and feel.

O: Very nice and will have to find a bottle or two to stash for later in the year, very much like the style of this and taste as well.

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2011 01:28:39 | More by nukem5

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.9/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a brownish amber color with red highlights. Head retention is fairly decent and lacing is adequate. Don't get a whole lot on the nose, just some light brown sugar, light spice and some ranier cherry. The flavor profile replicates the nose pretty closely, but there's a bit more too this beer on the palate. The spice component is much more noticeable, and helps to buoy the brown sugar, modest chocolate and cherry flavor. Mouthfeel is medium bodied at most, with a moderately long, slightly sweet, spice infused finish. Alcohol is completely unnoticeable in this beer, which I consider a big plus. This beer drinks like a 6% abv. or lower beer.

Nothing extraordinairy here, but a nice enough beer nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 22:08:34 | More by johnmichaelsen

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

(Served in a chalice)

A- The beer glows with a dark brown body with hints of garnet at the base and a thin creamy film on top that last for a good bit. The beer is clear but a bit too dense to see any carbonation except for a few bit bubbles gliding up the side of the glass.

S- The mellow blended brown malt aroma has some cream and toffee hints to it with a faint coffee malt note in the finish that is dry.

T- The soft toffee flavor has only a slight sweetness to it and a fruity prune note to follow with some roasted malt and melanoidin notes underneath. The finish is a bit dry and a soft malt note lingers a bit.

M- This beer has a medium mouthfeel with a soft alcohol heat that grows as the beer warms.

O- This beer has some nice dubbel characteristics with some interesting support from darker malts in the background. The alcohol adds a nice warming touch and supports the malt nicely.

Serving type: on-tap

06-14-2011 13:02:58 | More by rhoadsrage

benclimbs

California

3.85/5  rDev +1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

looks area bit lacking as it has no head or lacing, a bit dull

the nose is typical dubbel character a mix between fruity esters and rich bready malts

taste is more of the same, wasn't very sweet or wierd...good but not excellent, this wouldn't be something i would order over other dubbels, but it is definitely a good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

06-06-2011 05:50:04 | More by benclimbs

glid02

Georgia

4.03/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at the Brick Store.

Pours a clear brownish-amber color with a one-finger cream-colored head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving thick lacing.

Smells of dark malts with large amounts of sugar-dusted medium and dark fruits – pears, plums, and hints of dates.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Mildly dry medium to dark malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by slightly boozy dark fruits. Midway through the sip the flavor profile sweetens with the addition of dark candi sugar, carrying through to a crisp ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It’s got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is also good. I didn’t have a problem finishing my glass and could have another.

Overall I wasn’t blown away by this beer but it’s very solid for the style. Worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 16:07:43 | More by glid02

angelogarcia3

New York

4/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A very good beer with a tan thin head. Light mahogany color with effervensce on the sides of the glass. Very light malt aroma does not prepare you for this flavorful beer. This sweet raisiny fruity beer finishes with a crisp cleansing taste. Had it at Sapsuckers in Huntington, NY.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2011 20:17:33 | More by angelogarcia3

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.13/5  rDev -17.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Sierra Ovila on tap at The Blind Tiger, NYC, served in a 12-oz snifter and pricey at $8 ($7 during happy hour).

Appearance: A whitish head dies almost right away, leaving a rim and an island, like an atoll in the South Pacific where the French throw nukes while accusing us Americans of being nuclear. Color is a mysterious copper, sort of barleywine style.

Smell: Some honey, cloves, spice. Yeast and glue. Smashed prune, raisin extract. A faint, underwhelming nose. Mellow sweetness. Picture the Heartland on a sunny, glorious day. Scattered bees pollinating bright-yellow flowers. Artificially flavored bubblegum.

Taste: Follows nose, with a sticky sweetness, brulee sugars and artisanal honey. Watery, thin finish that hurts the overall. A tad of dry hops at the end of the sip. Soda, sparkling water.

Mouthfeel: Again, thin and watery. Incomplete. Low carbonation and body, medium flavor. Spicy prickly finish.

Overall: Drinkable for sure, but SO boring! Ovila on a bottle was a very good beer. On tap, a disappointment.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2011 03:06:12 | More by DoubleSimcoe