Duvel - Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV

mzwolinski

California

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Beautiful light gold color, with a thick foamy head that won't quit. Slightly hazy from bottle refermentation.

Aroma reminded me a bit of a hefeweisen, though a bit spicier, hoppier and with a stronger nose of alcohol. Cloves and bananas seemed evident.

Taste is champagne-like. Slightly yeast with. Spicy hop flavor with a medium-light malt body. Somewhat dry finish -- very smooth. Quite a nice beer, and very drinkable in spite of the alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2002 08:12:33 | More by mzwolinski

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.88/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This classic pours with the "patented" massive and huge pillowy white rocky head. Slightly hazy liquid gold with vigorous carbonation in the glass. Nose is crisp, fresh hops, clean maltiness with a hint of pears evident. Taste is also crisp, slightly acidic and hoppy...very lively, with light-bodied maltiness to mellow things out a bit. Finishes long, dry and bitter. A classic, easy-to-drink golden ale...the 8% alcohol is hardly noticable, imbiber beware!

Serving type: bottle

09-29-2002 08:46:56 | More by beerluvr

yen157

New Jersey

4.58/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

One of the greats. A slightly cloudy, yellow brew with a rocky, perfectly white head. Banana and cloves in the nose, very nice. The spice in the beer, which comes out first, was accentuated by the carbonation. Next came the alcohol along with the hops, slightly bitter and warming, followed by the malt. The only aftertaste is a little tartness and vanilla. This is one of the beers that started my love affair with the nectar of the gods, or in this case, the devil.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2002 18:02:33 | More by yen157

beernut7

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours into the goblet with a heavy frothy white head. The head sticks around for the whole trip. The very pale golden color is enhanced by the thin ascending bubble trails that permeate the brew. The very fragrant aroma has scents of Belgian yeast and lemon with hints of alcohol. The bold flavor is tart with a strong yeast character and a huge alcoholic warming quality. This beer beats out any good wine I have tried. A very tasty libation with a kick and a half.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2002 19:17:47 | More by beernut7

garymuchow

Minnesota

4.4/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured slowly as suggested on the bottle. Looked like water as poured, but noted the fizzy sound. Huge head that settled very slowly with big bubbles. Later much laciness on the glass. Aroma changed over time. Initially light malt with fruitiness and spice that turned to clove. Pale yellow color and clear. Taste has complexity. Starts off light, moves to spiciness (cloves and some fruitiness) with malt, then a shot of alcohol (that stays to the finish), and concludes with mild lingering somewhat bitter dryness. Thinner mouthfeel and despite the huge head the carbonation while evident doesn't seem excessive (yet there is some experience of fullness). Very interesting beer. Seems worthy of its higher ranking amongst all beers. I will try this again.

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2002 19:56:58 | More by garymuchow

zerk

California

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance is a nice gold-yellow with a very impressive head. Head lasted for 15 or more minutes, and settled to a very nice lace. Quite a bit of carbonation as well.

Aroma was very pleasant, yeasty and clove-like.

Flavor was very balanced, not too much hop or malt, and a dry clove finish. It's light and crisp, with a high amount of carbonation.

You have to watch out... this beer is quite strong, but doesn't taste like it is. It'll sneak up on you if your not careful (as I can attest.)

Serving type: bottle

07-12-2002 16:16:08 | More by zerk

Bighuge

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -26.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

The beer pours similar to champagne as you can here a fizzle as you pour. The beer is a slghtly hazy light golden. Head is bubbly, fizzy and white. Nice bready yeastiness on the nose with some subtle fruitiness making an appearance also. The beer is somewhat jacked up with carbonation. A bit gaseous in the mouth. The taste is pleasant. That's about it. There's a bready yeast characteristic on the palate as well. Some slight accents of alcohol. And fruitiness. Orange comes to mind. The beer's light to medium in body.

For some reason, I just can not get as hyped as a lot of beer lovers do over Belgians. Maybe there is an anti-belgian beer chromosone in my family's gene pool (as my brother ZAP feels the same way about Belgians).

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2002 20:20:34 | More by Bighuge

beertravel

New Jersey

4.8/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Probably one of the best beers in the world, this foamy, golden Belgian Ale is meticulously crafted and not allowed to leave the brewery until ready. The distinctive large white head and the mouth-watering smell of spices on the nose rewards the drinker with a burst of spice on the tongue that one will never forget. Again, the drinkability does not belie the fact that it is a high gravity brew, so be prepared to savor the experience responsibly.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2002 15:07:44 | More by beertravel

budgood1

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

the devil finally caught up with me, and i sold my soul. bright pale with a huge frothy head. the massive carbonation made it very easy to inhale the fruit and spice in the nose. very bubbly/prickly on the tongue, like a sparkling wine. a much lighter body than i expected. the unique taste of the fruity yeast and pale malts makes for a moderately spicy, delicious brew. the hop bitterness gets twisted up in the carbonation, and lingers on the tongue. the 8.5 abv is lost in all the sweet, spritzy, effervescent action. way too refreshing for so much alcohol, so be careful. the only drawback i could find is the way the carbonation gets in the way of deciphering flavors on the tongue, making for an odd mouthfeel (the bubbles just dance in my mouth!). nonetheless, a great brew worthy of the hype. i think the devil is telling me to go buy more....

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2002 10:32:45 | More by budgood1

goindownsouth

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

You never forget your first...Belgian. And what a winner this one is. It is smooth, drinkable, and has a very fruitful aroma. With a slight bit of hoppiness and a good ABV kick, this is one of the top brews in the world, bar none.

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2002 15:52:36 | More by goindownsouth

frank4sail

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Lot 04 09 04

Don't forget to smell the cork! The brew is just bursting with fruit/yeast/lemon smells. Bright pale look with a slight haze. There is a thick rich white head with lots of action and a fluffy lace.. It just looks deliciously evil. The lace sticks to your glass (chimay gobletin this case) and lips like frothed milk.

There is some special yeast in store for you upon tasting. You are enveloped in smooth yeasty richness. The balence is helped along by hints of fruit and hop bitterness. This beer is not for the timid, but at the same time it slides down effortlessly. The look of this brew is hypnotic. Why on the bottle would they tell you "not to drink the yeast" is beyond me! Drink it.... drink it all!

Serving type: bottle

06-21-2002 09:40:15 | More by frank4sail

ElGuapo

New Jersey

4.68/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

this is one fine piece of beer crafting magic. i could not believe the silky smoothness of this fabulous belgian ale. delightful from start to finish, and quite potent. definitely one of the greatest beers i have had

rich and hearty with a slight hint of alcohol (they do a good job of hiding the 8.5%)

Serving type: bottle

06-20-2002 18:08:15 | More by ElGuapo

BeerManDan

California

2.88/5  rDev -32.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

The taste was mild concidering the 8.5% alcohol. Not to tart and not over spicy. I find it not enjoyable at all for a Belguim Ale. This is my second time and I rated it less than the first time.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2002 17:05:36 | More by BeerManDan

Sigmund

Norway

4.63/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Like most belgian ales more heavily carbonated than I appreciate, otherwise this is an excellent beer! Dangerously drinkable - hence the name.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2002 05:53:57 | More by Sigmund

psugrad98

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I found this beer to be quite pleasant, with a soothing aftertaste. Like drinking fine brandy or wine. Dark reddish in color, with a moderate head. Spicy indeed, with somewhat floral tones. Alcohol taste comes through, and makes for a nice finish. Drink this one slow!!

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2002 06:04:02 | More by psugrad98

mickeymac

California

4.03/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

It's a nice looking beer with a big white head. It's got a pretty good spicy smell and a somewhat sweet taste with spicy undertones. I found the flavor and smell of alcohol to be surprisingly high for 8.5%. It seems less noticeable in other Belgians with a higher alcohol content.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2002 21:36:04 | More by mickeymac

esprit

United States

5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Even if you don't like Belgians or appreciate the style, if you love beer (I do!) you cannot help but exclaim that this is one of the world's truly brilliant concoctions. Flavour, flavour , flavour, aroma, aroma, aroma, head, head, head and finish, finish, finish....without question one of the world's most perfect brews!

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2002 16:34:57 | More by esprit

inebrius

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A skeptic no longer! From the sheer beauty as it rest's to the citrusy spice nose. From the blend of slight sweetness to a tart bite and finally bitter, but a clean sort of bitter, as if the carbonation had swept the bitterness away. Yes it's lively, for sure, full lively not harsh lively. Nary a hint of alcohol. I am possessed! Duvel; how can you be so bubbly and so smooth? Duvel; I love you!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2002 08:11:25 | More by inebrius

IrishRedRock

Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Duvel is legendary...the name, and especially its appearance. Beautiful thick Belgian head, and a strong yeasty smell. Extremely strong stuff that will knock you on your ass if you have too many. Too spicy and yeasty to drink many of them anyway, but great to get that big bottle every now and then to enjoy a truly renowned beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2002 13:18:04 | More by IrishRedRock

mophie

Delaware

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

In many ways, this beer sets the standard for Belgian strong ales. Golden, bubbly, spicy, intoxicating brew! I love this beer. However, if given a choice between this and a beer such as Victory's Golden Monkey or Unibroue's Don de Dieu, the latter beers will win. Hopefully, I will never be in a situation where I will have to choose one over the other!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2002 21:32:31 | More by mophie

proc

Michigan

3.63/5  rDev -15.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Where are those crazy monks who brew this stuff? I want to party with those guys. Duvel is a very fine beer. Is it my favorite Belgium? No, but it is good. Hints of fruit in the taste and nice, warming alcohol presence.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2002 06:57:43 | More by proc

ADR

Pennsylvania

3.58/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A second bottle-fermentation, so charged up, foamy medium-bubbled head, misty champagne color and bubbly upcharge. Astringent aroma with a malt background. Light vinous flavors and swallows with a lot of carbonation. There's a slight hoppy cut to the initial flavor and in the mid-mouth feel. There's a lot of sparkling wine-like flavor. It is interesting. A modern classic, finely brewed -- but not for my normal tastes. Tart and bready at the same time. But I found it to have a higher than expected drinkability. This brew is beautiful in a Duvel glass, there's that central geyser of carbonation charging up from the center and a head as rocky as a bowl of popcorn

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2002 08:22:48 | More by ADR

DrewS

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

After a long time I finally tried this out. Let me tell you I was not disappointed. I must admit, Belgian style beers are not my all time fav, but I do enjoy them, and this one in particular. It poured out a nice light yellow color, reminiscent of champagne. A light pillowy head formed at the top and appeared almost meringue-like but not super creamy. The aroma was light and spicey with some subdued yeast. Had a pleasantly light, citrus and spice flavor with a light alcoholic echo in the background, almost unnoticeable. Nice effervescence, dry,slight yeast, and nice warming after effect. Slightly bitter aftertaste, but nice. Great Belgian!

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2002 18:35:05 | More by DrewS

jackndan

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Absolutely beautiful beer. Hazy, golden yellow with a classic dense thick white head. A full inch and a quarter over the rim of the glass without any spill. Duvel has a very pronounced, fruity aroma, lemons and pears. The first bottle I had, I did not realize that there was some yeast in the bottle (although I love the yeast). The beer is very refreshing, and very fruity. Somewhat dry finish, very pleasant. For a beer with this amount of alcohol, I do not get the alcohol warmth from other high octane beers.Looks great, smells good, very drinkable, but to me it misses the essence of a good beer. Great for its style, but it ain’t my style. Addendum: more than a slight hangover the next morning.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2002 19:48:44 | More by jackndan

Thrasher

Oregon

3.98/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

My initial impression is that this beer is overrated. That said, it's still pretty good. I am unclear on the delineation between a tripel and this style; no matter. Prolific frothy head, very pale; vaguely reminiscent of Aying's Jahrhundert although milkier and lacking the lager characteristics. Also a hidden spice but this is very subtle. It is an unseasonably hot and humid day today, and this seems to be affecting the beer in positive ways. It is crisper, more refreshing. This is the 3rd bottle of a 4 pack and the most enjoyable so far. The first 2 (and this one, to a lesser extent) had vague euro-skunky characteristics, much like Heineken. Expiration date is 5/04 so that can't be it. I wonder if this is a slightly off batch since I've recently had Victory Golden Monkey and Unibroue Eau Benite, and greatly prefer them both to this world-class, top-rated brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2002 14:55:39 | More by Thrasher