La Trappe Dubbel (Koningshoeven / Dominus) - Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven B.V.

RaphaelSC

Brazil

4.5/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Dark brown caramel with high carbonation and a one finger caramel head, with low rentention.

S: Has a earthy smell with some sweetness notes and some toasted malts that resemble caramel.

T: A light woody flavour, dry wine and toasted malts that bring a softly coffee flavour. The high carbonation does not disturb the flavour and only make the beer more refreshing.

M: The high carbonation make a spicy feel, that cover the dry feel common in Dubbel style with in this case make the beer more refreshing and drinkable in hot days particulaly.

O: A different dubbel, less bitter than Westmalle Dubbel and other dubbels, but still a great beer. La Trappe dubbel is different from its sisters because it not resembles to wine like other which makes that dubbel quite unique. To me La Trappe Dubbel is another must have beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 20:55:04 | More by RaphaelSC

chinchill

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Aged 750 ml bottle served in a St. Bernardus snifter.

Pours more-or-less clear, dark ruby-mahogany in color, with a nice fluffy cream colored head. The head initially leaves nice lacing on the glass, but it has poor retention and soon reduces to a thin ring.

Aroma: rich and complex, but gentle aroma of dark fruits and spices, with suggestions of raisins, dates, figs, toffee, brown sugar, banana, flowers, brown bread, cinnamon, chocolate and some earthy yeast. Fantastic aroma!

Taste: rich, dynamic and complex; mildly bitter/sweet with suggestions of raisins, dates, figs, toffee, brown sugar, banana, brown bread, chocolate and some spicy yeast. Lingering notes of dark fruits, chocolate, dark malts and light spicing.

Medium carbonation and medium+ body. Slightly harsh; about as expected with 7% ABV.

Overall: this excellent Dubbel lives up to its reputation. Great balance and complexity Alcohol is partially hidden but with light warming. Exceptionally enjoyable flavor and aroma.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 22:42:54 | More by chinchill

FLima

Brazil

4.09/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Brown color with a two finger head with low retention.
Aroma of prunes, malt, Belgian yeast, raisins, brown sugar and notes of pears.
It brings a very interesting sensation, spicy, refreshing and tingling-effervescent. Complex and flavorful, taste of earthy hops, Belgian yeast, oak, brown sugar and condiments. Also full of fruity notes, raisins, bananas, oxidized apples and alike. Dry and bitter aftertaste. Medium body with a good carbonation.
Great beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 21:31:50 | More by FLima

superspak

Michigan

4.2/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle into chalice, 07/10 printed on the cork. Pours very hazy and cloudy dark ruby red color with a nice 1-2 finger dense and fluffy cream colored head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Spotty foamy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big raisin, pear, apple, caramel, brown sugar, light banana, pepper, floral, clove, brown bread, candi sugar, and earthy yeast spiciness. Fantastic aromas with great complexity and balance of fruity/spicy esters with malt sweetness. Taste of raisin, apple, pear, caramel, brown sugar, pepper, clove, light banana, floral, herbal, brown bread, candi sugar, and earthy yeast spiciness. Lingering notes of light fruits, caramel, brown sugar, light banana, pepper, clove, brown bread, floral, herbal, and earthy yeast spiciness on the finish for a bit. Damn nice balance and complexity of fruity/spicy ester with malt sweetness; with great robustness and zero cloying sweetness present after the finish. Medium-high carbonation and medium bodied; with a smooth, fairly slick, and lightly prickly mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a highly excellent Dubbel! Great balance and complexity of malt and fruity/spicy esters; and very smooth and crisp to sip on. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 05:16:04 | More by superspak

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml Trappist-embossed brown bottle purchased from Steve's Cool Booze in Kingsford.

Pours a deep ruby-brown colour, quite hazed, but light enough to ensure the red filters through when held to the light. Head fizzles up in a beige-crest to begin with, but settles down to a minimal film of small bubbles. Body looks very light and a little thin, No lacing to speak of. Overall, it's decent, without being particularly captivating.

Nose is pleasant, with rounded Belgian esters providing some banana and dried fruits, and spicy pepper characters giving a rich Christmas pudding note. Some background notes of red wine and oak come through pleasantly as well, making a deeper complexity possible. It's really quite nice.

The taste is slightly thinner, but where this leaves some of the round, sweet characteristics behind, it allows the spicy, phenolic spicy characters to rise up. There's pepper, cinnamon spices on the front, with some boozy, slightly astringent characters towards the end: tannic red wine and slightly charred oak finish up. There's a bitterness towards the back too, but more from the booze and the astringency than any real hop character. It's more like the bitterness that comes from a little too much spice.

Feel is light, but helped along by some of the flavours, which have quite a textural element to them.

Overall, this is very decent stuff. I tend to be quite a fan of dubbels in any case, but I'm happy to say that the La Trappe's Dubbel is the best of their standard range I've yet had (with the Quad to come). Nice stuff.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 03:53:34 | More by lacqueredmouse

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

3.91/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured into a wine glass, this produced a rather sizeable tan toffee cream head, with nice retention and excellent lacing with a decent film. Colour is a really dark brown, some visable carbonation.

Smell has apricots and a big malty presence. Sweet buttery caramel, slightly boozey dark fruits. Malts are a bit roast, and predominantly dark with a good deal of sweetness and a bit of spice. Some citrus hops in there too, with a bit of a foresty yeast.

Taste has big dark malt meshed together light florals, some alcohol spice, apple fruitiness. A caramel malty sweetness with some little intricacies. But I was expecting more complexity here. Finish has light coffee note, quite dry and warm, but something is making it feel a bit thin.

Mouthfeel has a moderate carbonation, a lot of malt hiding the alcohol and it is reasonably moderate in body considering this, quite drinkable. Smooth maltiness and quite dry with a spicy alcohol prickle that can be picked up on slightly.

Certainly a nice beer, a straightforward Dubbel. It is nicely drinkable and offers a pretty nice interpretation of this malty Belgian style. It doesn't have many noticeable flaws, but I didn't find much terribly exciting either, just a really well-constructed malty and dry ale that has nice balance. There are Trappist beers that are a lot more interesting, but this is quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 22:55:30 | More by mick303

jonb5

United Kingdom (England)

4.19/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

330ml bottle, poured into Leffe chalice. Amber to auburn colour, pale for a Dubbel, one finger ginger tanned head, lots of lacing, opaque. Aroma was dark chocolate, cranberry and molasses. Tasted dark chocolate, cranberry, malt and molasses. Slightly boozy and fairly complex. Body was on the thick side, decent carbonation, smooth. Reminded me of a German Doppelbock, decent cold weather beer, quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 14:14:22 | More by jonb5

Radome

Spain

4.23/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Tasted from a 33 cl bottle.

A - Deep amber color with some red. Not quite perfectly clear. Off-white head fades quickly to a thin layer with a deep ring around the glass. Lacing is thick with sheets of tight bubbles that roll around when you move the glass.

S - Aroma is very inviting. Sweet malt, brown sugar, honey, dark fruits, alcohol, fruity yeast notes. No overt hops, although there is a faint herbal note. No "off" aromas.

T - Dominated by malt. Bready, nutty, graham cracker malt with dark fruits. A bit of noble hops in the background and enough hops bitterness to give some backbone. Alcohol is evident but not in-your-face.

M - Medium body. Some hops bitterness that combines with carbonation bite. Both help cut through what could otherwise have been a cloying, mouthcoating sweetness at the end of the swallow.

O - A very good example of the style. Dominated by malt and yeast-produced fruitiness. Hops bitterness and alcohol help keep it from becoming too cloyingly sweet.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2012 21:42:13 | More by Radome

mschind

California

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A- Clear, dark mahogany brown. Big fizzy head that faded fast with decent lacing on the glass.

S- Roasty malt with vanilla and brown sugar notes. Some mild fruity esters are in the background.

T- Rich malt, sweet but not cloying. Banana and a little caramel leading to a neutral finish.

M- Despite the carbonation, it has a soft and well rounded feel. Medium body and very smooth.

O- This paired well with some beef buorguignon. A good example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 02:52:08 | More by mschind

B967ierhunter177

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +22.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer pours a ruby red with a touch of brown and a thin tan head and lace. The aroma is of cherries, dark chocolate, a hint of brandy and some yeasty hay. The flavor is complex leading off with mildly sour cherries followed by dark choclolate, and wood notes with just a hint of smoke. It's mouthfeel is medium and smooth. Koningshoeven La Trappe Dubbel (Koningshoeven/Dominus) is an excellent brew, well balanced, drinkable, and what the style should be. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 03:23:34 | More by B967ierhunter177

dbrauneis

New Jersey

3.9/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on tap at Rattle N Hum in New York, NY

A: Pours a clear yet opaque dark brown in color. The beer has a finger tall creamy dark beige head that slowly reduces to a thick film covering the entire surface of the beer. Significant amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Light to moderate aromas of malty sweetness - with notes of caramel, toffee, and dark fruits.

T: Like the smell, the taste of this beer has a lot of malty sweetness including caramel, toffee, and dark fruits. There are some very light hints of spices in the flavor of this beer as well.

M: Medium bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Smooth and slightly sticky.

O: The alcohol is very well hidden in this beer but it is still easy to drink - this is a very enjoyable sipping beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2012 02:01:53 | More by dbrauneis

pkalix

California

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- tall bottle, poured into the famed duvel chalice, minimal head but a beautiful deep brown with slight lightening to ruby around the bottom. the head is very unimpressive compared to others in the class, but tilting the chalice reveals a layer of miscroscopic bubbles which is really nice. dewey and spotty lacing remains down the sides.
S- dark fruity but nothing really strong.
T- definitely dark fruit with a slight tang. not really bitter, but i may not be ready for these today, i think. seems a little more rich than i'm willing to go today. and i remember others being less forward and a bit smoother.
M- medium weight, lighter than the flavor.
O- just cant get past the tangy, dark fruity flavor i'm getting. it's not a bad brew, and i'm really looking forward to trying others, especially the tripel, but it's not striking out as a 'classic' to me.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 23:21:01 | More by pkalix

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brown with a good amount of ruby colouring coming through, just over one finger of tan head, great retention and plenty of lace. Smell is yeaty with a bit of spice in the mix as well, clove being the most noteable, dark fruits, alcohol and touches of brown sugar. Taste has lots of dark fruits, raisins and plum, lots of fruity esters, clove throughout, spices and possibly corriander every so often, a little alcohol heat in the finish. Light carbonation, creamy and medium bodied, light feel at points though. A solid dubbel but by no means is this a world beater, just a quality beer that I would welcome again anytime.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2012 13:54:04 | More by peensteen

DaveBlack

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Beautiful deep reddish brown/mahogany color. Relatively thin layer of head that has a moderately long retention, and leaves smattering of head throughout the time that I was drinking it.

S: Molasses and candied dark fruits are there, as well as some yeast and spice. When I first smelled it I didn't think that there was much there, but as it warmed up more and more complexity started coming through on the nose.

T: No lack of flavor here. Lots of dark fruits, Belgian yeast, molasses. The yeast brings a nice biscuity flavor, and there is a bit of spice to brighten it a bit. Lots of sweetness, but it isn't overwhelming.

M: Not as heavy as the flavors would seem to suggest. medium body, slightly sticky with a relatively low amount of carbonation.

O: A little darker and heavier than I have come to expect from Dubbels, but that's not a bad thing. The flavors are good and well balanced, the alcohol is enough that you know it's there, but it's subtle. Good showing all around.

O:

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2012 22:16:05 | More by DaveBlack

RickS95

Indiana

4.4/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A beautiful looking brunette. Pours a dark mahogany brown. Not black, but enough that you won't lose sleep. The head is a finger and a half of fluffy, foamy light brown bubbles.

The malts take center stage in the nose, particularly the caramel malts. In addition, it's got a nice floral scent as well. Some toffee notes and even though the alcohol is only moderate, it's present too.

Like in the nose, the malts are the dominant players on the tongue. Again, the caramel malts are the star, showing up in scenes from the beginning til the curtain drops. A slight peppery taste helps ease some of the burnt sugar, as do the hops in the swallow.

It's smooth, it's sweet, it's got some spice, the heat from the alcohol is just enough to let you know it's there. Medium bodied, it finishes only slightly less sweet than it starts, but it's somewhat dry in the finish.

I've had the quad and the tripel before this dubbel. The quad is world class, the tripel is not very good, and this dubbel is every bit as good as the quad. This is one of the best beers I've had. It's easy to drink, I wish I had more than just one.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 03:33:45 | More by RickS95

kylehay2004

Florida

3.55/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: no head to speak of on a marroon brown murky body. Little lacing.

S: sweet dark fruit, Belgian yeast and toffee.

T: Very bready and yeasty with a strong malt presence for the style. Dark fruits are semisweet with some banana as well.

M: medium body and light carbonation. Smooth.

Overall: very drinkable but bland for the style. A little disappointed in this one.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2012 23:13:57 | More by kylehay2004

bluHatter

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Dark brown/red with lots of fog and debris floating around. Big noisy popping light brown head with some darker brown drops from the final drops of the pour.

S: Dark fruit, berries, yeast. Very nice.

T: Bready hops, mellow malts that quickly dissipate into a savory almost molasses-like character.

M: Surprisingly smooth and light for such a heavy looking beer. Perfect texture and carbonation, with a really light finish. Perfect.

O: Fantastic. Really well rounded, perfectly balanced, and expertly crafted. It's rare to taste something so good.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 01:23:49 | More by bluHatter

Everydayoff

Thailand

3.95/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

500ml bottle poured into a chalice.

A:
Deep red brown color with a clear texture, appeared tight and thick fluffy tan head that endure for long and leaves plenty of intricate laces all around.

S:
Load of fruity; dark berries, banana, ripe dark fruits and yeasty, caramelized malt come following along with some mild phenolic spice. Dark bread, slight roasted, coffee note also poke to the nose.

T:
Not much sweet as my initial thought but rather lean on balance that nicely assemble caramel malt, ripe dark fruits, some phenolic astringency and spice. Slight to moderate bitterness is there at the end from hop and roasted trait.

M:
The body is medium, a bit syrupy, semi-smooth mouthfeel with soothing carbonation, dry finish.

O:
Almost great but lack of some crisp however it’s leverage by nicely balance aroma and flavor also attractive appearance showcase. Yes, worthy.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2012 07:03:26 | More by Everydayoff

Douberd

Netherlands

4.33/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle of 300 ml at home.
Dark amber colour with a two finger brown head, with great retention.Aroma of fruits, banana, citrus. Taste is bitter at first, like a bitter chocolate, at the end bitter-sweet.A bit of caramel there. Thick in body and average carbonation. Overall a really great beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2012 14:13:21 | More by Douberd

crnipeter

Slovenia

3.68/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Clear dark reddish-amber body topped by well-formed dense light-tan head with good retention, that clings to the walls producing stable sheets of lace.
Complex aroma exhibits malty sweetness with toasty qualities, pronounced esters with apple and banana (even bubblegum) being dominant, evident are clove-like phenols and gentle perfumy alcohol.
Flavor is yeasty-fruity (apple) with clove and well-present hop-bitterness that lasts into the moderately dry finish. Medium bodied with moderately high carbonation giving it foamy sensation.
In short: a decent Dubbel with strong apple-banana aroma rather than more common plum&raisin like. (330 ml, BB 11-2013, into tulip.)

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2012 00:54:26 | More by crnipeter

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.05/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

a good dubbel, but not la trappe's best brew. pours a mahogany/cherrywood color into a goblet with a smallish white foamy head. smells like dried cherries, plums, and belgian yeast. flavor is not as sweet as the nose, not at all. in fact its malty without really being sweet to any degree. nice balance too. mouthfeel is medium bodied with effervescent carbonation and a warming finish. Overall a good beer, and very drinkable at 7% abv, but its quality and excitement lag well behind the la trappe quad

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2012 19:19:09 | More by StonedTrippin

Daniellobo

District of Columbia

3.88/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A pleasing Trappist Dubbel

Presentation: 0,33 cl custom Trappist brown capped bottle. Simple, old fashion and somewhat perfunctory label pivoting around the standard branding of the brew in a somewhat classic insinuation, with cream gold and red tones predominating. Back offers a small note with main characteristics. Shows best by date 11 - 2013 and 7% Alc. by Vol. Served in a La Trappe chalice.

A - Hazy amber/brown pour, with a nice frothy head, moderate retention, fair surface memory and some touches of lacing.

S - Pleasing if soft and a bit subdued nose with small fruity, malty and yeasty notes...

T - …Which luckily expand in the palate with a longer malty sense, nice touches of yeast with pronounced sense of dark fruits and some sour notes over caramel.

M - Medium body with a medium to medium high carbonation providing a rather tingly finish.

O - Nice flow, and well worth picking up depending on the context. A nice Dubbel.

Notes: Maybe the fruity and soft sour touch shines more than what is typically expected of a Trappist Dubbel but this is a pretty pleasing and quality brew within this bracket. Given the rest of the selection in most common spots in Spain, it is rather nice to have this one waiting on the shelve. Not so sure I would reach out for it again in the States but a good one to have around and share.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2012 01:18:30 | More by Daniellobo

jjkatter

Australia

4.03/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle poured into a La Trappe goblet...

A- beautiful deep brown with a generous tan head. Lots of carbonation. Very good head retention.

S- nice caramel, yeast and barley.

T- Lots-o-barley with lingering warming alcohol. Nicely balanced and plenty of body. As the beer warms in the glass, additional character makes it's way through in the form of spice and apple.

MF- abundant carbonation with a nice dry finish.

O- I say "God bless the Trappist Monks" ( and, no doubt he does). There are better out there, but this one is good, indeed. Well worth the visit.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2012 06:45:40 | More by jjkatter

vandemonian

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

La Trappe Dubbel disappointed me a bit. There wasn't much aroma and the flavour was a little one dimensional.

A: Brown colour and a 5 mm head that dies quite fast. 3.5

S: Weak malty smell with some hints of sweetness. 3

T: Roasted malt flavour into a smokey finish. The Belgian candy flavour is there too I think. 3.5

M: Very foamy with lots of tiny bubbles. 4.5

O: 3.5

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2011 11:07:55 | More by vandemonian

Macca

Australia

3.78/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This pours a very dark cloudy amber with a generous beige head.

Big whack of Malteser-esque malts on the nose. Some dark fruits and a bit of alcohol.

Dark malts on the palate along with some milk chocolate, molasses sweetness. The dark fruits are there too. Bit of caramel.

Medium bodied.

I always want to like dubbels more but I always get left wanting something more. In this case I think it is a nice soft cheese.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2011 10:01:49 | More by Macca