Nommo Dubbel - Boulevard Brewing Co.

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.5

Presentation: 2012 vintage, best by May of 2013. Been thinking about getting this since it was re-released this year, and decided to pull the trigger finally since 1) I was craving something in the abbey dubbel style and 2) Boulevard recently said this won't be returning next year. Split into two Chimay goblets and shared with my wife.

Appearance: Rich amber/mahogany hue, with a huge ivory cap which sinks to a half-finger cap that shows pretty good retention. Some tiny sediment in suspension.

Smell: Golden fruits, candy sugar, and perhaps just a hint of banana. I don't like banana esters in my dubbels, but the very light notes here actually work pretty nicely. A light spiciness (with nothing sticking out (Hieronymus and co. would be proud) is present as well, but I can't pick out the particular spices referenced on the website/bottle. Overall, nothing revolutionary, but quite pleasant.

Taste: Here, just SLIGHTLY more banana than I would like ideally, but the esters are backed up by mixed spice and candy sugar notes, before a fleeting, but strong, toasted bread maltiness. Ends spicy, dry, and (and this is the one real downside) surprisingly bitter for 25 IBUs or thereabouts. I'm not sure if there is perhaps some bitterness coming from the spice or what, but this tastes way more bitter than it should. I know that some dubbels (Westmalle comes to mind) are quite dry and fairly bitter and, to be honest, that's one of the reasons I prefer Chimay Red over Westmalle. Here, I have to say, the bitterness is really a downside. The only other minor quibble I have is a kind of dry, slightly bitter spice note on the finish (coriander, maybe?) I'd like that toned down just a bit.

Mouthfeel: Fantastic; light and pillowy, just like the best Trappist ales.

Overall: At $7.99 I would pick this up over a Westmalle Dubbel (heresy, I know) for 3-4 bucks more, no question. The flavor profile is something I really enjoy and, if it weren't for the funky bitterness on the finish, and this were around regularly, I think this might be my go-to Belgian-style dubbel, right behind Goose Island's Pere Jacques. As is, it doesn't QUITE do it for me, and I'd score this somewhere around a mid-B; very respectable, if not quite perfect.

85-B

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 02:19:13 | More by BedetheVenerable

djre4orm

Virginia

2/5  rDev -48.1%

06-13-2013 19:02:48 | More by djre4orm

cooler4life

Quebec (Canada)

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

06-04-2013 02:12:59 | More by cooler4life

AngusOg

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

06-04-2013 00:46:20 | More by AngusOg

baklo

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-31-2013 23:51:35 | More by baklo

drummermattie02

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-31-2013 02:08:51 | More by drummermattie02

metter98

New York

4.09/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75

A: The beer is slightly hazy amber in color. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down, leaving a thin layer of bubbles covering the surface.
S: Light aromas of dark fruits, candi sugar and spices are present in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell, except that the spices are not as prevalent. The candi sugars contribute a light amount of sweetness.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a little smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: I enjoyed this dubbel because it seemed to have the perfect amount of sweetness and is quite drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 02:17:41 | More by metter98

smithj4

New York

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-27-2013 02:11:06 | More by smithj4

JRdaSconnie

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-26-2013 19:03:59 | More by JRdaSconnie

Jmick28

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

05-24-2013 03:54:42 | More by Jmick28

jono0101

Missouri

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-18-2013 22:15:31 | More by jono0101

MinorThreat

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-16-2013 13:16:09 | More by MinorThreat

DrunkinYogi

Connecticut

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-11-2013 14:02:29 | More by DrunkinYogi

bigred89

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

05-11-2013 05:44:53 | More by bigred89

lernerlift

Kansas

4/5  rDev +3.9%

05-05-2013 22:02:35 | More by lernerlift

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

05-05-2013 01:42:34 | More by capnamerica

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Light brown and orange body with a big head. Cinnamon, herbal, and yeasty. Hits the style. Pleasant as not too sweet, making for drinkability. Medium plus mouthfeel, smooth.Stephen’s bottle. A bit of fruit, but more brown sugar and molasses that simulate maple syrup.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 17:23:35 | More by northyorksammy

alex_hart

Oklahoma

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

04-20-2013 16:42:17 | More by alex_hart

Mantooth

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +3.9%

04-16-2013 22:22:40 | More by Mantooth

beernads

Florida

3.5/5  rDev -9.1%

04-10-2013 09:39:22 | More by beernads

acevenom

Louisiana

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

04-05-2013 04:03:25 | More by acevenom

Herky21

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +16.9%

04-04-2013 14:34:50 | More by Herky21

BYOFB

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%

04-02-2013 04:07:36 | More by BYOFB

mikeradebaugh

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%

04-01-2013 00:56:15 | More by mikeradebaugh

dubmax

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev +10.4%

03-29-2013 00:56:46 | More by dubmax