Westmalle Trappist Dubbel - Brouwerij Westmalle

HattedClassic

Virginia

4.29/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Dark and deep purple color. Light tan head, which is constant and lasting.

Smell: Dark fruits and hints of Belgian sugar. The dark fruits dominate the nose.

Taste: Dark fruits with hops and Belgian sugar. The hops dominate the other two flavors and are a bit bitter. The sugars and dark fruit are pretty subdued.

Mouthfeel: Biting carbonation and surprisingly smooth. Not bad.

Overall:
Decent. I might get it again. I'm not too crazy about the hops dominating the other flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 02:28:36 | More by HattedClassic

themind

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Quality Trappist period! poured a nice full head with a slight aroma. The mouth feel and carbonation to me are spot on for this style of beer. The taste is fluid and consistent....very enjoyable. This beer is very drinkable! really you could down a large quantity of this stuff.

Bottom Line: A must try brew!

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 23:59:08 | More by themind

abijen

Netherlands

3.99/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this one on bottle.
I like the appearance of this beer. Brown - black color with a little bit red into it.
The head looks a bit tan and frothy.
This beer smells, in my opinion, like nuts, dark chocolate and a little burn smell.
I tasted a litte bitterness which persist to the finish. The finish duration is average.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 09:40:40 | More by abijen

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.79/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From: Friar Tuck's, Savoy, IL
Date: Best by 05/03/2013
Glass: St. Bernardus chalice

Westmalle's dubbel is a pleasantly sweet, toffee and candi sugar-like beer with mild grape and phenolic notes from a Belgian yeast influence, all tempered with European hops for bitterness. The aroma and flavor, though weren't as bold as I expected from such a highly-ranked dubbel; I would have appreciated richer toffee and candi-sugar flavors, with perhaps some raisin and prune esters to add a bit more complexity.

Pours a 1.5cm tall head of slightly burnt beige foam, which fades in about two minutes to a thin cap atop the beer, thicker around the perimeter. Lacing is present, though not astounding, a modest scattering of small dots and thin lines adorn the insides of the glass. Body is a dark garnet color, with light bringing out brighter, though still deep, warm browns and reds. Carbonation is not visible through the semi-hazy body,

Aroma of mild toffee, amber Belgian candi sugar, slight grape esters and spicy phenolics. The scents were not as strong or pronounced as I was hoping, nor as complex.

Tasting opens with a front palate of mild Belgian candi sugar sweetness mixed with that from toffee-like malt choices. This goes on to a mid-palate of stronger toffee and amber Belgian candi sugar sweetness, slight grape ester, and a noticeable bitterness. Back of palate finds continued toffee and amber Belgian candi sugar flavors with a fairly strong, clean bitterness, spicy phenolic flavors, and slight ethanol. Aftertaste is somewhat like sweetened iced tea, with the lingering toffee and candi sugar sweetness joined to fairly strong bitterness and light phenolics

Beer is medium-light to medium in body, with medium-low levels of carbonation that work well for its weight. The result is a mouthfeel primarily smooth, with slight foaminess, which flows across the palate quite easily. Closes quite dry with a medium amount of stickiness lingering on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:18:05 | More by falloutsnow

TOMHONE

Illinois

4.64/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Much much better tasting than the ordinary less dark version. This beer is very rich and even better tasting than it's appearance would suggest. As usual, with me anyway, the first taste wasn't very gratifying but the second and every thereafter were very good tasting with that full taste ever present. The more you drink the more gratifying is its taste.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 02:36:55 | More by TOMHONE

JRed

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Deep purplish brown with fluffy khaki head that lasts. Aroma of cookie, caramel, grape cola, herbal notes. Tastes evolves over time: cola, grape, caramel, cookie, herbal notes, mild earth, banana, some grass and veggie aftertaste. Medium bodied with high carbonation. Creamy and bubbly and dry. The beer evolves as its sipped. A beautiful legendary beer that is still the quintessential Dubbel. A real old world treat. It's our duty to keep buying this beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 03:18:46 | More by JRed

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

3.76/5  rDev -9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Westmalle-Trappist Dubbel @ 7.0% , served from a 330 ml bottle purchased for $4

A-pour is a cloudy dark brown with a small fine off white head that is leaving a fine lace film along the goblet

S-dark fruits (plum , prunes , raisins , cherries) dominate

T-sweet dark fruit start , spicyness follows

MF-good carbonation , medium full bodied , smooth on the palate

Ov-good beer , extremly well crafted

sampled alongside Trappist Rochefort 6 , Chimay-Premiere Red and other Belgian beers recently

prost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 21:10:32 | More by LampertLand

artdob

California

4.53/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A dark ruby brown pour with an incredible tan rich head. I just want to look at it. The lacing is rich and thick.

Ok, well, even though the beer appears to be posing for the camera, drink it we shall.

The nose is stewed fruits. Very rich. Prunes, raisins, cherries - wonderful.

The palate bursts with the same fruitiness as on the nose, followed quickly with bread like tones. A mild roastiness comes in for the finish.

Great things are happening here.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 05:20:31 | More by artdob

ProblyAboutBeer

Belgium

4.56/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Foam was retained well. When eaten with cheese and spicy mustard, flavor was experienced more subtly. Immediately, one tastes lightly-roasted coffee, but the flavor guides the drinker through hoppy bitterness into a chocolatey-smooth finish. Aftertaste is roasted barley, of a strong chocolate origin.

I usually prefer their Tripel to this one, but if you match it with a meal the Dubbel can compliment food nicely.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 16:38:29 | More by ProblyAboutBeer

takemetothelion

4.18/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Decided to review beer today. westmalle ale dubbel, usually would have gone for something with higher abv but this caught my eye and i liked the color of it. and i liked that its from Belgium.

Very dark with hints of ruby. minimal light passing through. a small head but it actually lasts. only a fingers worth. lovin the dark ale though.
Great strong smells coming up fruit obviously, but strong raisin maybe slight orange and chocolate...cherry for sure. taste is amazing brandy taste with the cherry, slight bitter, very little alcohol taste. tastes prettty traditional belgian. Big fan of the MF once the carbonation dies down and it warms up a little bit. Very complex with some spicing, full but light at the same time. Again wish the alcohol content was much higher but the drinkability of this one is special.
Overall I would get again, but probably not very often. Great beer though

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 20:01:58 | More by takemetothelion

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

4.44/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Fantastic beer, with a beautiful dark brown appearance, and a *powerful* aroma. I was absolute amazed with it. The taste is very good, although I had other Trappist Dubbels that were slightly more delicate. But don't understand me wrong: this is a fantastic beer, full of character, and I really enjoyed it (as seen in the review scores).

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 00:44:36 | More by HabiMendes

MadScientist

New York

4.36/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: A copper colored beer with a light haze. The head is low but persistent, made of light tan, creamy bubbles.

S: A strong raisin aroma with a decent amount of caramel malt aroma. There is a light vinous, wine-like character. There is a light bit of fruitiness, enough to let you know that Belgian yeast is part of the mix but not much in the way of spice; the fruit is a low banana note. No hop aroma. There is a light floral alcohol aroma as well.

T: A complex malty sweetness that part toffee, caramel and raisin with a bit of cocoa. The raisin flavor is moderately-strong with a bit of other dried fruits as well. There is a moderately-light hops bitterness. The balance is about even and the finish is towards the dry with a fruity and malty aftertaste.

M: A soft mouthfeel having a medium-full bodied with moderately-high carbonation and a light alcohol warmth.

O: A complex, malty beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 23:46:14 | More by MadScientist

urbanvets

New York

4.01/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle14/2/14 bought refrigerated poured into chalice

a - Huge creamy head with good retention throughout dark brownish red

s- Huge malts and caramel with celery, on warming to room temperature more fruits are apparent

t- Malty caramel raisens almonds

overall, much preferred this beer at room temperature, flavors and smells came out. Another sipping beer. Prefer the Rochefort 6 over this but nice Dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 00:49:08 | More by urbanvets

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.01/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown with a tight, tiny bubble head. Big ampersand shaped glaze of retention.

Smells like dark fruit, cognac, and cherry cola.

WD has an overarching raisin brandy that is present during the whole experience and is really the highlight of the beer. Toffee with nutmeg spiciness, watery unsweetened cocoa caramel that becomes more prominent as it warms and a long cola fade intermingle at times with the raisin brandy. Course, grainy carbonation which I don't like at all.

Westmalle says this beer will improve for up to for years (mine was bottle 7.14.11) but knowing my palette I'd like a newer bottle. Still, it shows lots of highlights and the sum of those highlights is better than any individual part.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 09:53:32 | More by donkeyrunner

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.34/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From the 11.2 fl. oz. bottle. Sampled on January 12, 2013.

The pour is brown with ruby red hues glistening in the glass as well as a silky, tan head that fades to a ring but lingers on.

The aromas are fine and enticing with sweet malts, Belgian sugars, yeast, molasses, and dark fruit akin to prunes or plums

The body falls into the medium range on the whole but there is a level of fizzy carbonation on my tongue.

In some respects this reminds me of the putrid sweetness of a barleywine with loads of sweet barley malts at first followed by a pungent, potent bitter hop finish. It burns a little on the end but not in a bad way. This is quite a beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 21:18:49 | More by puboflyons

mscudder

Georgia

4.28/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Into a chalice.

A - Deep ruby brown with a massive tan head. Head contains gorgeous bubbles which leave good lacing after an above average retention.

S - Biscuits, dark fruits and a touch of chocolate and caramel.

T - Big bready malts give a base for this to work off of. Subtle and refined sweetness coats the palette through the swallow. Namely: cherries, caramel, raisins and grapes. Complex and enjoyable.

M - Fluffy medium body with average carbonation.

O - A nice dubbel that could be more bold.The biscuity base limits all that this beer can accomplish. Given this basis, they did a fantastic job.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 06:39:30 | More by mscudder

sevenarts

New York

4.16/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Reddish brown, amber. Modest off-white head. No lacing.

S: Sugary sweet, fruity, a bit of spice.

T/M: Rich sugar up front, lots of dark fruits, apple, some almost cidery elements. Some spice around the edges. Warming booze and a hint of burn at the end. Tingly mouthfeel.

O: A great, subtle but flavorful Belgian.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 23:20:35 | More by sevenarts

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.48/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle poured into a La Trappe chalice.

Appearance
Dark garnet with reddish highlights. 2 fingers of uber-creamy, off-white head that lingers forever. Moderate carbonation and cloudy.

Nose
Concord grape, plum and dark candy sugar.

Taste
Delicate notes of concord grape, overripe plum, fig and dates. Subtle notes of molasses, dark candy sugar and tobacco. Ever so slight hints of cocoa, earth and leather.

Mouthfeel
Light-medium bodied, silky, crisp and airy.

Overall
Complex and delicate. Loads of dark fruit and earthy aromas. Deceptively drinkable. This is a spectacular Dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 00:39:45 | More by justintcoons

herman77

Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Best by 13/10/13

A: Dark brown/chestnut with a huge bubbly off white head. Nice lacing.

S: Malts dominate the nose. Some toffee, carmel and molasses as well as dark fruits (raisins, plums, figs). Some earthiness as well, maybe a bit of toasted malts.

T: Again, malts dominate. Mainly semi sweet toffee, carmel and molasses. Some dark fruits as well. A touch of hops on the backend. Some earthiness. A bit phenolic and spicy in the finish. Pretty smooth.

M: Light to medium body. Lots of fine carbonation bubbles.

O: Decent drinkability. A really nice dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2013 23:54:45 | More by herman77

brewskifan55

Mississippi

4.23/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip glass

A: Opaque chocolate/amber with a tan two finger head that sits pretty for a while. Excellent lacing. Bits of fermentation float around.

S: Dark fruits, raisins, dates, bready malts.

T: Divine. Sweet. Malty. Pungent. Cloves. Caramel and Belgian yeast compliment the taste. A cherry finish. So good.

M: Thick. Excellent, frothy carbonation.

O: One of the better dubbels available. Smooth, rich and tasty. Bless those monks.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 17:06:33 | More by brewskifan55

vickersspitfire

Texas

4.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter, this beer has a dark earth brown color to it with some fermentation floating around with the carbonation, and its all topped off with a nice thick head that slowly dissipates into a thin layer of bubbles surrounded by some really great lacing. The aroma is very complex, brown sugar, plums, figs and raisins all come up, apple and wine smells also come through. Slightly bitter overall, the flavors is just as complex, the hops are present as you swallow, mild grapefruit zest, dark fruits and some raisin are all mixed in. It has a medium-to-full body and is filled with carbonation. Overall, this is a very good beer and I’ll be drinking this one more often.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 16:18:07 | More by vickersspitfire

gr0g

New Jersey

4.28/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Composite review based on older notes from a 330ml bottle and a 750ml bottle consumed on 12/31/2012.

Pours a mahogany color with a but of haziness. A Good sized tan head that never completely fades, leaving a fair amount of lacing as it recedes to a sticky film. Aroma is of sweet, dark fruit dipped in liquory caramel. Some yeast undertones too. Fruity esters from across the spectrum. Caramel apple, white grape, and raisin.

First taste impression is that it's more dry, tart than expected. While I would like just a bit more residual sweetness, this is a 7% dubbel, not a quad, so it's entirely appropriate. Lots of caramel malt flavor; also raisin, tart apple. Near the bottom of the 750, more chalky yeast and a smoother mouthfeel. A great pairing with some good ol' American BBQ. Alcohol doesn't intrude at all, and carbonation is vigorous and sudsy while remaining nicely complimentary to the flavor.

Westmalle Dubbel is another Trappist gem. It must be tried if you even remotely favor Belgian ales.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 21:36:25 | More by gr0g

FLima

Brazil

4.35/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown color with a beige thick head with good retention.
Delicious aroma of grapes, prunes, wood, and probably slightly toasted malts.
Matured fruity flavor, good presence of condiments, prunes, apple, pears, toasted malts, caramel, grapes and a woody and cinnamon touch. Later I got some citrus, orange peel type.
Dry, fruity and mild bitter aftertaste. Alcohol is in harmony with the other ingredients and gives a mild warming feeling.
Full body with low to medium carbonation, though effervescent giving the sensation of bigger bubbles.
A beer that evolves as you drink it. Loved both the Dubbel and the Tripel, I will chase more brews from Westmalle.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 19:28:53 | More by FLima

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

11.2oz bottle into my New Belgium Globe.

A: Prune/dark brown and opaque, with a huge light tan head that fades to a consistent finger of creamy lace.

S: Big fruitiness, red apples, grapes and grape juice, chalky effervescent Belgian yeast, faint cherry and red wine notes. Malty sweet undertones with moderate spiciness.

T: More spiciness emerges in the flavors, and dark fruits seem to dominate more than that apple character; I get prune and raisin. Faint alcohol bitterness on the finish. Sweeter dark malt presence, Belgian candy sugar and hints of caramel all play a supportive role.

MF: Creamy medium mouthfeel, very nice. Effervescent carbonation moves the body along.

O: Really nice dubbel, probably the best I've ever had of this style. Better than the Chimay IMO.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 16:01:52 | More by Scotchboy

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a dfh snifter.

A: pours a nice murky nutty brown with a finger of tanned head... Receeda quickly, not much lacing.

S: a nice toasty nutty grain w/ a sweet touch of darkfruit and some apple likeness.

T: follows Suit, alot of the toastyness ingot in the aroma takes a back seat to the sweet rasin and brown sugar like dark fruit along with the apple/pear notes... Tasty.

M: creamy with a crisp aggressive carbonation.

O: very tasty and delicious... Really love the weatmalles, both this and the tripel are delicious.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 04:13:24 | More by PeterIngemi