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Doublecross
Crux Fermentation Project
- From:
- Crux Fermentation Project
- Oregon, United States
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Ranked #128 - ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 85
Ranked #20,467 - Avg:
- 3.78 | pDev: 11.9%
- Reviews:
- 29
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Aug 05, 2023
- Added:
- Apr 18, 2013
- Wants:
- 4
- Gots:
- 15
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by TheBricenator from Oregon
4.03/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.03/5 rDev +6.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
Look: Deep red, leaning brown on the pour and in the glass with a sudsy tan head that builds up, sustains for a minute, and recedes, leaving good lacing behind
Aroma: Dried dark fruit – prune plums, raisins, dates, and figs, warm brown bread, dark Candi sugar notes, yeast phenolics, and some melanoidin
Taste: Kicks it off with a rush of lush and deep bread-driven malt – some dough, crust, and freshly baked bread, and soon joined by a whole lot of dried dark fruit notes. Dark Belgian Candi sugar and yeast start to shine once the initial two-hit punch relaxes somewhat and develops great depth and chemistry before dark fruit and bread return to the forefront to close it out
Mouthfeel: Full, pretty smooth throughout, fairly clean, medium to medium-high carbonation, and soft on the finish with zero detectable alcohol heat
Overall: This is awesome stuff. After a long holdout from me from buying this for years, I finally caved when I saw it in 4pk/16oz cans and damn, was I missing out on a delicious and amazingly deep and drinkable Belgian Dark Strong Ale. All the notable and usual cast of characters and not too dark fruit heavy plus to me, the kicker is that this is way too easy to drink for 11% and if I didn’t know, I’d say it was hovering around 9% tops. Delicious, a well-made treat, and highly recommended
Apr 14, 2022Aroma: Dried dark fruit – prune plums, raisins, dates, and figs, warm brown bread, dark Candi sugar notes, yeast phenolics, and some melanoidin
Taste: Kicks it off with a rush of lush and deep bread-driven malt – some dough, crust, and freshly baked bread, and soon joined by a whole lot of dried dark fruit notes. Dark Belgian Candi sugar and yeast start to shine once the initial two-hit punch relaxes somewhat and develops great depth and chemistry before dark fruit and bread return to the forefront to close it out
Mouthfeel: Full, pretty smooth throughout, fairly clean, medium to medium-high carbonation, and soft on the finish with zero detectable alcohol heat
Overall: This is awesome stuff. After a long holdout from me from buying this for years, I finally caved when I saw it in 4pk/16oz cans and damn, was I missing out on a delicious and amazingly deep and drinkable Belgian Dark Strong Ale. All the notable and usual cast of characters and not too dark fruit heavy plus to me, the kicker is that this is way too easy to drink for 11% and if I didn’t know, I’d say it was hovering around 9% tops. Delicious, a well-made treat, and highly recommended
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina
4.08/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance: Pours tea colored with a two finger ecru head that pancakes down; sticky lacing
Smell: Dried dark fruit (raisin, date and prune), cherry and spice cake tones
Taste: Cherry forward with Candi sugar building; the dark fruit and spice cake elements play a secondary role; there is a Dr. Pepper aspect to the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation
Overall: It doesn't quite get there in both the flavor profile and the mouthfeel when compared to the best of Belgium; it bends too much to the sweetness and not to the fuller flavors; the mouthfeel, as well, is not as lively; still it is pretty good for an American-brewed version of the style
Mar 02, 2022Smell: Dried dark fruit (raisin, date and prune), cherry and spice cake tones
Taste: Cherry forward with Candi sugar building; the dark fruit and spice cake elements play a secondary role; there is a Dr. Pepper aspect to the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation
Overall: It doesn't quite get there in both the flavor profile and the mouthfeel when compared to the best of Belgium; it bends too much to the sweetness and not to the fuller flavors; the mouthfeel, as well, is not as lively; still it is pretty good for an American-brewed version of the style
Reviewed by MaltsOfGlory from Oregon
4.04/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.04/5 rDev +6.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
500ml bottle
Pours about a finger of tan head into my snifter. Retention is about average, maybe a little below, fades somewhat quickly. Leaves behind a hefty rim though. Initial lacing looks promising. Body is a dark brown with reddish hues. Looks pretty nice so far.
While not uncommon for the style, this might be a hair too sweet, judging by the nose. Sugars aside, this smells very nice. Deep malt aroma, caramel, Belgian candi sugar, backed by plum, fig, raisin. Subtle, smooth Belgian yeast character, slightly perfumey, touch of spice; no clove, banana or bubblegum. Despite the malts being a little rich for my liking, this smells very nice.
Flavor follows suit very well. Caramel and spice carry over well to the palate, stone fruit is much more subtle. Definitely not too sweet, but it flirts with it, certainly a sweet beer. Alcohol is wonderfully hidden, has a little burn in the finish, but it is welcome. All in all the flavors are a tad more subtle than the nose, but that might actually be a good thing, and it comes together arguably better than the nose.
The mouthfeel is well put together. Rich, but not too sweet. Body has pretty good weight to it. Carbonation is on the lighter side. No hop character.
Drinkability is very high for 11%
Appearance turned out ok. Lacing was pretty patchy. Lots of residual head though.
Overall a very solid beer, something a hair more daring would maybe be preferred, but as far as a smooth fireside sipper, you can’t beat it.
Apr 01, 2020Pours about a finger of tan head into my snifter. Retention is about average, maybe a little below, fades somewhat quickly. Leaves behind a hefty rim though. Initial lacing looks promising. Body is a dark brown with reddish hues. Looks pretty nice so far.
While not uncommon for the style, this might be a hair too sweet, judging by the nose. Sugars aside, this smells very nice. Deep malt aroma, caramel, Belgian candi sugar, backed by plum, fig, raisin. Subtle, smooth Belgian yeast character, slightly perfumey, touch of spice; no clove, banana or bubblegum. Despite the malts being a little rich for my liking, this smells very nice.
Flavor follows suit very well. Caramel and spice carry over well to the palate, stone fruit is much more subtle. Definitely not too sweet, but it flirts with it, certainly a sweet beer. Alcohol is wonderfully hidden, has a little burn in the finish, but it is welcome. All in all the flavors are a tad more subtle than the nose, but that might actually be a good thing, and it comes together arguably better than the nose.
The mouthfeel is well put together. Rich, but not too sweet. Body has pretty good weight to it. Carbonation is on the lighter side. No hop character.
Drinkability is very high for 11%
Appearance turned out ok. Lacing was pretty patchy. Lots of residual head though.
Overall a very solid beer, something a hair more daring would maybe be preferred, but as far as a smooth fireside sipper, you can’t beat it.
Reviewed by Moose90 from Washington
3.59/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.59/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
500 ml bottle with an illegible date stamp, presumed to be from 2018 vintage
A — Deep ruby hue with a fluffy tan hued head. Consistent and thick lacing left with each sip.
S — Alcoholic and malty, a hint of floral rose, but mostly mired in malt and candi sugars.
T — Sweet, malty, gingerbread.
M — Medium bodied, not overly hefty, bit of lingering sweetness.
O — Fine overall, not overly sweet, nor overly spicy, really just a nicely balanced BSDA.
Jan 05, 2019A — Deep ruby hue with a fluffy tan hued head. Consistent and thick lacing left with each sip.
S — Alcoholic and malty, a hint of floral rose, but mostly mired in malt and candi sugars.
T — Sweet, malty, gingerbread.
M — Medium bodied, not overly hefty, bit of lingering sweetness.
O — Fine overall, not overly sweet, nor overly spicy, really just a nicely balanced BSDA.
Reviewed by Wasatch from Colorado
4/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12.7 oz. Bottle
Bottled On: 1/26/2016
Almost 2 years on this bottle.
Poured into a tulip a pretty nice brownish/reddish color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy/quick one-finger off-white head, which leaves minimal sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, yeasty, with some dark fruit complex (cherries, figs, raisins, plums). The taste is pretty nice, malty, yeasty, nice dark fruit complex (cherries, figs, raisins, plums). Full Body, ABV hidden pretty nicely, a nice little complex brew. Overall, out of the few I've had from Crux this is the best one.
Sep 29, 2017Bottled On: 1/26/2016
Almost 2 years on this bottle.
Poured into a tulip a pretty nice brownish/reddish color, pretty nice carbonation, with a pretty nice thick/creamy/quick one-finger off-white head, which leaves minimal sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, yeasty, with some dark fruit complex (cherries, figs, raisins, plums). The taste is pretty nice, malty, yeasty, nice dark fruit complex (cherries, figs, raisins, plums). Full Body, ABV hidden pretty nicely, a nice little complex brew. Overall, out of the few I've had from Crux this is the best one.
Rated by DucksFan16 from Tennessee
3.53/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
3.53/5 rDev -6.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
05/19/2017
May 20, 2017Reviewed by Ruger_44-Redhawk from Idaho
3.68/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.68/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
An ok offering from Crux. Belgian's are hard for a lot of American breweries to perfect and contend with. The Belgian's from breweries like La Trappe and St. Bernardus are just so well perfected and set the benchmark. Crux puts out some of my favorite beers and this one is alright. Lot of candied sugar, a little dark fruit, plum and raisen. I'll have to revisit again for a follow up review.
Jan 29, 2017Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina
3.97/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
3.97/5 rDev +5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Picked up a 500 ml bottle from the brewery in late August for $7.00. Bottled on 8/9/2016.
Beer poured mahogany with a very nice off white head that has some nice hang time.
Nose is dark fruits and Belgian yeast esters.
Taste is dark fruit dominated and candi sugar. Taste is somewhat sweet and dry.
Mouthfeel is medium to heavy bodied which is what i would not expect for the style.
Overall i found this brew to be very enjoyable. Definitely a notch under Unibroue but definitely worthy of a shot!
Nov 01, 2016Beer poured mahogany with a very nice off white head that has some nice hang time.
Nose is dark fruits and Belgian yeast esters.
Taste is dark fruit dominated and candi sugar. Taste is somewhat sweet and dry.
Mouthfeel is medium to heavy bodied which is what i would not expect for the style.
Overall i found this brew to be very enjoyable. Definitely a notch under Unibroue but definitely worthy of a shot!
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado
3.75/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.75/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
pricey little bottle and a decent beer, but nothing really extraordinary here, except how well it hides its alcohol. its oddly thin for being so strong, and i am sort of surprised its just not exposed hot alcohol, but it is somehow super well disguised. clearish until the bottom of the bottle, very light brown in color, completely malt driven, much less yeasty than i expected it to be, and truthfully maybe a little one dimensional, nothing near as complex as a good quad or something, which is about what i thought i was getting into here. i like the nutty drier malt base, hardly sweet at all past the center point, and with a cool raisin and even maple complexion on the finish. very light in body for what it is, i was looking for a little more depth here, and maybe a little more yeast flavor in something dubbed a belgian, aside from a little dark fruit and candy note, there isnt a lot here on that front. very surprised to hear others call this syrupy and sweet, perhaps my bottle was a little older than thus the yeast had more time to work through the grain sugar, but i found this almost shockingly dry and light for its strength. cool beer, tasty and obviously well made, but not as distinguishable from the crowd as i was expecting for from these guys.
Sep 10, 2016Reviewed by beergoot from Colorado
3.62/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.62/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Bottle data: 11.0% ABV vs 10.0% listed under BEER INFO (update submitted to BA)
Brownish body with a thin, fizzy light tan head. Big fruit aroma; plums and raisins; candy sweetness. Brown sugar and molasses taste; bitter with some alcohol presence. Heavy body; sticky and chewy; some alcohol burn.
Malty and gently boozy. Not bad yet nothing exceptional.
Apr 24, 2016Brownish body with a thin, fizzy light tan head. Big fruit aroma; plums and raisins; candy sweetness. Brown sugar and molasses taste; bitter with some alcohol presence. Heavy body; sticky and chewy; some alcohol burn.
Malty and gently boozy. Not bad yet nothing exceptional.
Doublecross from Crux Fermentation Project
Beer rating:
85 out of
100 with
102 ratings
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