Duvel - Brouwerij Duvel Moortgat NV

BKotch

Texas

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

What can I possibly say? This is a world classic, one of the greatest beers brewed, bar none. You've got to drink this one in the proper glass if you want to contain the massive head. Fruity and complex in a clean, delicate way. More than 750 ml and I'm down for the count.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2001 14:43:11 | More by BKotch

John

New York

4.9/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Outstanding brew. Remarkable fruity flavor imparted by the yeast. I prefer to let this warm a bit and let some of the carbonation dissipate before drinking.

Serving type: bottle

10-02-2001 09:08:28 | More by John

Brent

Kentucky

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

Nice and peppery. So smooth and mild, I can't believe it has an abv of 8.5%. Wait, what's that buzzing sound I hear? I guess I can believe it.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2001 23:46:34 | More by Brent

AaronRed

New York

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

I reviwed this a year ago and felt tit was time for an update. Poured into the glass with a big rocky and creamy head. Clear- doesn't look strong. Spicey smell- almost like wine. Taste is smooth and crisp, but dry. Some flowery taste as well. So drinkable, it's scary.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2001 17:24:46 | More by AaronRed

bk3nj

New Jersey

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

Tastes like heaven, smacks you around like hell. could you ask for more?

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2001 02:53:10 | More by bk3nj

Todd

Massachusetts

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

Presentation: 33cl custom shorty with a bulbed neck. Best before date: 03/2003. Serve chilled.

Appearance: Cloudy (from escaped yeast) and pale. A grande creamy, chunk head adorns the top and sticks with great stay. The colour and head are perfection incarnate.

Smell: Delicate spice, pepper and clean malt sweetness.

Taste: Smooth and extremely creamy on the palate. A lively carbonation creates a light mouthfeel and crispness. Upfront flavours are bitter and sweet, with a lean on the sweet; distinct fruity malt esters, bold spiciness and rind-like twang that mellows and balances. Finishes slightly grain/dry with some residual spice and dextrin notes.

Notes: Deceivingly seductive and powerful. It lurs you with mesmerizing eye candy, then as the absolute refresher, then whacks the shite out of you with an 8.5% abv club. It's not called the "Devil" for nothing.

One of the best beers on the face of the Earth. Bow down to this god of beers.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2000 21:21:53 | More by Todd

WaringYouOut

South Carolina

4.04/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

A - The pour is a hazy medium yellow, big head, small lacing
S - Strong yeast with sweet overtones
T - First taste is incredibly full and sweet, reminiscent of bananas. Herbs include mostly clove with a bit of nutmeg and vanilla
M - medium-light, a bit creamy towards the end, lots of lively carbonation
O - On tap, the beer lives up to the hype. I find that in the bottle, the first impact is a bit too heavy; give the beer a bit of time to breathe before partaking. When possible, find on tap, the effect is much better. By far one of my top choices among the Belgian beers. I prefer on tap a bit on the chilled side. Once warmed, the sweet flavored really stand out to the point where it's almost overpowering - a bit strong for my taste.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2013 01:47:20 | More by WaringYouOut

KYGunner

Kentucky

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

The single most carbonated ale I have ever seen the rush of bubbles created a telescopic off white head. The more the bubbles rushed to the surface the farther the head retreated from the top of the glass. The ale had a cloudy golden hue that was quite striking.

The scent is of yeast, cloves, honey and even a bit of lemon. Very complex.

A kind of mead like quality the taste is like a Bit O' Honey candy. There is an apple taste at the back and I'm impressed with the variance on the tongue. There's even a bit of citrus somewhere in there but it is lost quickly.

Despite the immense carbonation the feel is light and tangy. Very smooth it drinks easy and well.

These are not my favorite flavors, especially in beer, but I understand the high numbers this ale receives as it is very intricate in its tones.

Serving type: on-tap

01-19-2013 23:48:07 | More by KYGunner

HuskyinPDX

Washington

4.03/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Served a hazy light yellow with a thin off-white head. Good retention from the minimal head that was there.

S - Some subtle Belgian yeast, weather, lemon.

T - More Belgian style yeast, citrus lemon, wheat, corn. Pretty mild.

D - Good carbonation and a light body.

O - Light, citrusy and a Belgian delight.

Serving type: on-tap

12-11-2012 06:32:06 | More by HuskyinPDX

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Where and when I first had this is lost forever in time. My last tasting was on tap at the Irish Pol, Philly, PA.

Straw yellow pour, clear and pale, a finger or two of foamy white head that recedes to a thin layer of bubbles; decent lacing. Pale malts in the nose, fruit esters, yeast, leafy hops. Similar taste, brready malts, Belgian yeast, apples, pears, light citrus twinge, grassy, leafy, bitter and can lean towards metallic. Medium body, medium carbonation, somewhat drying, and a boozy kick. Pretty standard fare here, often seen served in awkwardly large signature glasses with terrible artwork.

Serving type: on-tap

11-01-2012 05:41:45 | More by Rifugium

socon67

New York

4.05/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured into the Duvel Tulip, this is a golden pour with a cloying white foam. Foam retention is nice, and has a cloudy look.

S - Scent of citrus fruit, and belgian yeast. A bit of spice is also present.

T - Initial tartness has elements of spice and lemon. The belgian yeast gives this a tangy taste. The finish seemed to be sweeter and tasted like sugary fruit.

M - Very easy drinker and perfect to sit back and enjoy. Feels light for the style and ABV. Slight carbonation, but overall a very smooth belgian ale.

O - An iconic belgian pale. I'm finding I like other a bit more, but this is the poster-child for the style.

Serving type: on-tap

09-10-2012 01:33:52 | More by socon67

hagbergl

Massachusetts

4.41/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

About time I've reviewed this classic and classy Belgian ale. I had it on draft at the University of Chicago Pub in a Tripel Karmeliet tulip glass.

Appearance (4.25/5): Duvel has that class golden ale look–beautiful clear golden/pale yellow body with a massive three-finger head of pillowy white. Looks luxuriant.

Smell (4/5): Hoppy, very clean, crisp and beautiful light candy-like pale maltiness. Yeasty, though not strongly so. A subtle grassy/herbal noble hop presence is noticeable, though it is pretty subtle and combines well with the yeast and malt characters.

Taste (4.5/5): Clean hoppiness from the grassy, herbal, and lightly citric hops and lightly musty yeast dominate the flavor. This is certainly not a sweet Belgian pale ale. Very well balanced, Duvel is only modestly hop-forward. Its flavor is extremely refreshing and you don't notice any of the alcohol in the flavor, which is impressive considering this an 8.5% ABV beer. This is a sure sign of masterful brewing.

Mouthfeel (4.75/5): A nearly champagne-like medium-high carbonation gives this brew a really nice pop on the tongue. This beer is medium-light bodied, so the relatively high carbonation really adds a nice dimension to the beer. The mouthfeel on this beer is impeccably pulled off. The combination of hoppy-yeasty flavors with the champagne-like carbonation mesh really nicely.

Overall (4.5/5): Duvel is considered a classic for a reason. It has a wonderfully balanced sweet-bitter flavor profile that is boosted by the excellent mouthfeel and never reveals the high alcohol content. Here is a Belgian beer that is more accessible than most, but its accessibility does not make it any less of a class act. Excellent.

Serving type: on-tap

05-29-2012 23:12:25 | More by hagbergl

wsantas

Georgia

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Growler from Crafty Draught. Cumming, Ga

A: transparent gold. Slightly hazy. Good carbonation
S: pear, light, Belgian yeast
T: fruit, acid, dry after. Really balanced.
M: fizzy. Smooth. Crisp.
O: really liking the light belgian taste. Balanced and not over powering. A+

Serving type: growler

02-26-2012 00:16:50 | More by wsantas

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.22/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the One Stop Beer Shop, Brooklyn, NY.
Poured into Duvel tulip glass.
Pours a healthy crisp golden with about one finger of foamy white head.
Smell is of grassy/earthy belgian yeasts and a bit of hops.
Taste is very earthy...grassy, yeast with a hop and slight malt balance.
This is a superb brew and a belgian classic. Every beer drinker should know what this tastes like.

Serving type: on-tap

01-09-2012 17:47:26 | More by DrinkSlurm

mactrail

California

3.6/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Briary and stickery. Really dry. Fairly tart, but mostly it's devoid of any malt sweetness. Maybe they have a special sugar-eating bacteria. Slight fruity taste is interesting and pleasant along with the yeasty Belgian flavor. Looks nice with classic lacing all around the tulip glass.

Rather sharp and austere like a Belgian Pilsener. On tap at Cueva on Adams Avenue in San Diego.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 06:15:25 | More by mactrail

codfeast

California

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

50th review, on tap at my work.

A: A hazy pale yellow, with a massive white head. a small island of foam stayed anchored in the middle of my glass all the way through.

S: Spicy, earthy yeast, fruits(apricot and apple).

T: Spicy and sweet fruits battle it out, with the fruits winning in the end. Only to be cleaned out by the alcohol.

M: Crisp and clean, with a dry almost tannic finish.

O: A real standard. Very easy to drink. Pour myself one 4 out of 5 nights while doing my closing work.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2011 03:14:14 | More by codfeast

dcook11

California

2.93/5  rDev -31.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Poured into a snifter. Thick soapy, iceburg head...light straw colored body with a lot of carbonation and ample lacing. The smell is sweet..sugar, belgian yeast, some alcohol and solvent, and a touch of apple. The taste is of belgian yeast, alcohol, and hops (much more than in the smell). The mouthfeel is medium bodied. Overall a good beer but too much alcohol in the taste will lower the overall score.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2011 05:08:01 | More by dcook11

blackcompg

Illinois

4.97/5  rDev +15.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've been waiting to try this for quite some time, found a local store that carries the 25.4oz corked bottle, which is what I have - I inverted the bottle to incorporate the sediment, then let it rest for a couple of hours, serving temp is about 45 degrees, best before 28/05/13 (day/mo/yr), and pouring into a 12oz beer blass

Appearance - WHOA! 4 Quick fingers of tight, white fizzing head, then slight dissipation to larger bubbles making lumpy, bumpy off-white cumulus clouds. You can absolutely hear the bubbles - many trails from the bottom of the glass and sustaining the head. I added a few more ounces of beer and I have what looks like a 3-D mountanous landscape of head, still 2+ fingers - Never seen anything like this before! Color is a cloudy straw yellow/beige/gold color, very unique. First few sips are leaving ridiculously thick lacing, it's like a bubble bath in there! *2/3rds done with the glass, there is a "lace" that is obscuring 1/3 of the glass, like a thick meringue, whipped egg-whites!

Smell - From the bottle: Ooohhh...lite pepper, coriander, wheat, yeast, citrus, slight minerals, lemongrass, and a champagne like tingle from the effervescence in my nostrils, smells complex and incredible! From the glass: more of the same as listed above, accompanied by the slightest hint of alcohol,

Taste - This is very difficult to describe, in that there are so many wonderful bready, spicy, earthy, citrusy, minerally, hoppy flavors going on hear - the balance is so perfect that there is not one that stands out on it's own, but I will try - As you tip the glass the nose fills with all these wonderful aromas. The ale tingles the tip of the tongue with tiny bubbles and you can feel this wash over the sides and back of your tongue as you sip. All of the flavors explode all over you tongue: there is a warm sweetness at the center of all of this, slight alcohol warmth (warmth almost more noticeable in the nose and sinuses), the spices and citruses are at the center of the tongue, the grassy meadows and lemongrass and a little grapefruit at the sides of the tongue, a wonderful bakery of crusty wheats and sourdoughs fill the whole mouth, the earthy flavors, minerals and hops collect at the back, and there is a slight dryness at the end of the sip - the alcohol (8.5% ABV) is hidden quite well, and is complimentary to this incredible symphony taking place, and you just want to keep sipping, experincing this perfect symphony and all of its wonderful nuances over and over again...

Mouthfeel - Wow - Can you have creamy and crisp happening at the same time? So incredibly smooth, so drinkable, such big flavors, carried so perfectly and smoothly. LONG flavors and a light dryness with pockets of juiciness in the corners of the mouth, enticing you to continue sipping.

Overall - I'm absolutely in AWE...you MUST try this incredible ale! I am now questioning all of my previous high ratings, by comparison this would get 6's or 7's. I've never seen lacing like this, the color is very close to a Witbier and is the "weekest" attribute of this beer, the flavor and complex harmony is unlike anything I've ever tasted before, and the mouthfeel is so wonderful, smooth, drinkable and inviting. This beer is downright dangerous in a fantrastic way - I could drink this every night - I will buy this quite often from now on. It is fairly expensive, but absolutely worth every penny - I LOVE this beer, pure Pefection, Period.

Serving type: growler

06-28-2011 03:24:41 | More by blackcompg

mjgooner13

New York

4.53/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A- Golden, straw color, very nice looking beer with a fluffy white head that stuck around for a while.

S- A lot going on in the nose, sweet honey and citrus hit me first followed by a clove spice scente and some belgium yeastiness.

T- Very similar to the smell and i'm really enjoying this. Great balance of sweetness, orange-grapefruit lemon and some spice...

M- One of the best mouthfeels a beer can have, the flavor coats all areas of the mouth, it is crisp, medium body and has fantastic carbonation...some welcomed dryness at the end which makes me want more

O- An exceptional beer, has a few quality flavors that work very well together. Great smell and fantastic mouth feel. I will certainly be seeking this out again in the near future

Serving type: on-tap

06-15-2011 18:35:36 | More by mjgooner13

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

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

Had this on 2010-05-15 at the Ommegang tent at the Brewfest at Mount Hope Winery in Lancaster County, PA (from tasting notes)

A - Pale golden yellow with pillowy white head and some lacing.

S - Lemon, green apple, yeast and hop floral.

T - Yeasty biscut, lemon and apples, with spice and some alcohol. Finishes sour and mildly bitter. I liked the Ommegang Abbey a little better than this.

M - Light body, heavy carbonation. Very effervescent.

D - Definitely worth coming back for a second glass.

Serving type: on-tap

12-12-2010 18:29:32 | More by Tucquan

scarfacecrowe

Missouri

4.65/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured the beer from a large pint bottle into a glass. Duvel has a somewhat hazy amber color with a thick snow white head that hangs on forever. Maybe it is because I am inexperienced but I cannot put my finger on the aromas coming off the beer, it definitely is not unpleasant. Wow! this beer tastes great and is well balanced but complex, not to grainy and not to hoppy, with a touch of carbonation. Also, the finish is very smooth, no hoppy or alcohol aftertaste just very very clean. This is the best beer I have ever tasted!! Drinkability is high but this is a beer you do not throw down like you would a Bud Light, but drink slowly and enjoy. Definitely a world class beer! Also, checkout the cool Duvel website.

Serving type: growler

01-09-2010 23:40:10 | More by scarfacecrowe

ThaCreep

Belgium

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The head is very abundant and thick. The nose is powerful fresh hops but some also reveal the apple and pear. Beer is cool but it still remains very powerful and sparkling, we also feel a slight tingling pleasant and characteristic of language. And despite the undeniable taste of alcohol mild and dry, it remains mild in flavor and thus easier to digest. Archetype International and mother of all Devil beers, this beer is always pleasant at a terrace.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2010 13:35:10 | More by ThaCreep

rvdoorn

Netherlands

3.93/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this beer on tap in a pub in Utrecht. The beer had a nice golden yellow color, with a three finger thick fluffy bright-white head, that stayed there during the drinking.

Smell: fruity, spicy, alcoholic, and some smell I couldn't define, a bit like sour sewer water.

Taste: a mixture of apple cider and champagne, fresh taste! A bit sour-bitter hoppy after taste. Spicy and some hints of alcohol

Mouthfeel: thin and smooth. Medium high carbonation
.
Overall a nice refreshing beer. Not my favourite because of the smell, but will never refuse one.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2009 21:52:48 | More by rvdoorn

leighton

New York

4.75/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

As far as the 'standard' Belgian beers go, I like Duvel over Chimay or Hoegaarden. You can get it anywhere in Belgium and many places throughout Europe - as well as in the USA. Duvel has an attractive, thick and creamy head. The flavor is rich yet the beer itself, by my estimation, is relatively light. (The alcohol is hidden but it hits you. Hard.) This is a beer to be sipped slowly and appreciated.

Serving type: on-tap

06-25-2009 01:53:04 | More by leighton

smanders

Virginia

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

Enjoyed from the tap at Pub Concorde in Caen, France.

Appearance - Sediment-filled glass with cotton candy-like head.

Smell - Unbelievable. Fruit, spice, a little sugar.

Taste - Bubbles of sugar and spiciness all at the same time. Notes of fruit and grain. Fantastic!

Mouthfeel - almost creamy.

Drinkability - It's not one of the best beers on the planet for nothing. If you think you know a lot about beer but haven't had Duvel, stop and enjoy a pint right now. Your education (and enjoyment) level will increase to the nth degree.

In case you're wondering, it's still phenomenal from a bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

05-18-2009 20:30:47 | More by smanders