Nommo Dubbel - Boulevard Brewing Co.

stephenjmoore

Maryland

4.05/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A- Amber body with a bubbly off-white head. Some transparency.

S- Belgian spices, caramel malt, pepper, dark fruit.

T- Dried fruit, raisins, plums, cherry, caramel malt.

M- Medium bodied, medium-high carbonation. Slight tartness in a slightly dry finish.

O- Very good dubbel.

Serving type: on-tap

12-07-2012 19:11:45 | More by stephenjmoore

oberon

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Sticks and Stones in Greensboro.Poured into a standard pint glass a dull somewhat hazed russet color with a thinner light tan colored head atop.Yeasty and a little medicinal in the nose,phenolic spice is the main component.Spiced with a cakey notes on the palate,not very sweet wich was nice with the phenol spice although the main flavor of the beer not being over bearing.Not bad,maybe a little subdued for the style though.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2012 15:36:42 | More by oberon

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap at Max's the other day.

The beer pours a brownish amber color with fair head retention and lacing. The nose is attractive, but rather simply, showcasing some brown sugar, light vanilla, light cherry and some underlying spice. The flavor profile replicates the nose and is no better in this moderate sweet beer, though there's a hint of chocolate as well that is nice. Mouthfeel is at most medium bodied and seemed a bit thin, something that surprised me, given the abv.

A pleasant, uncomplicated beer from Boulevard, though not something I'm likely to ever want to order again. Kind of surprised by the weak effort from these guys, given the quality of other beers I've hand from them.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2012 18:52:54 | More by johnmichaelsen

thegodfather2701

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-poured into a pint glass. Its a chestnut/brown with a thin slightly tan head. There was some slight lacing at the very top of the glass but no real cascading to speak of.

S-clove, cinnamon, Belgian yeast, some spiciness-it smelled sweet and malty

T-Similar to the nose. Sweet with some Belgian yeast and spice. Hints of cinnamon and clove. Not overly flavorful and with a hint of alcohol. It tastes better as it warms.

M-Somewhat thick and not overly carbonated.

D-Very drinkable even at just over 8% one could drink a few of these in a sitting.

Overall, this is a good beer that I would definitely drink again. Next time I will hopefully get to drink it in a tulip glass instead of pint glass and have it closer to cellar temperature as well.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2012 20:30:08 | More by thegodfather2701

homebrew311

Illinois

2.95/5  rDev -23.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Served on tap at fountainhead.

A: deep red, dense creamy head, spotty lacing, nice head retention

S: nose features cloves, banana, and grape, and cherry

T: a bit harsh at first with the malts , brown sugar, cloves, spices, balance is a little off

Mf: low carb, thick body

O: not very impressive, lacks balance, the quad is much better

Serving type: on-tap

02-05-2012 01:40:27 | More by homebrew311

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Stanley's Barroom in Nordeast Minneapolis. This beer arrives a cloudy amber-brown color. The head is an inch and a half in height, and recedes slowly leaving good lacing. The aroma is of yeast, bubblegum, and dark fruits. The taste is of dates, prunes, and dark fruits. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with a smooth texture, and lively carbonation. Overall, this is a good beer that I would drink again.

Serving type: on-tap

11-29-2011 03:41:22 | More by KarlHungus

DCon

Missouri

3.08/5  rDev -19.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Enjoyed on-tap @ Southside Brewing Company (Formerly known as The Stable) in St. Louis, MO for $6. Tapped from the bricked Handle w/ Boulevard on the base & the Nommo Dubbel pair of mermaids cheering into a 16oz Pint Glass.

Aroma- Has tons of malt and sweetness but nothing much else. A small caramel note is in here and thats all folks.

Appearance- Received with a 1.5 finger head that has poor retention. Has a caramel looking body that is cloudy. Leaves no lacing at all.

Flavor- Doesn't have too much strength to it or any other attributes for that matter... Has a light caramel taste and light bitterness at the finish. Not rich or complexed like it should be.

Mouthfeel- Light-Medium Bodied, Light-Medium Carbonation, Has a bit of filler with ingredient but then watery at the finish. Not like it should be for the style.

Overall Impression- Not enough strength or body for the style... I have a bottle of this and am now wondering if it was a bad investment... Will be reviewing either way. Go for others in the Smokestack Series, this one was a dud.

Serving type: on-tap

11-07-2011 07:15:31 | More by DCon

falloutsnow

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Had on-tap at Jake's in Omaha, NE.

Arrives in a glass tulip glass with a fairly small, off-white head that fades rather quickly (despite the tulip?). Some lacing is present. Body is a light brownish color,

Aromas require some coaxing to get at, I had to swirl this quite a bit to stir up much of anything. I pick up scents of nutmeg and coriander, and very mild prunes in syrup. Some caramel malt. About average for the style, I'd say.

Taste follows scent with this being somewhat understated. Malt sweetness is the dominant flavor, with some of the same spices and syrupy prune notes as well. Not particularly exciting, a bit too sweet, slightly above or at average.

Beer is medium-bodied with about the same in carbonation. This works, and is fairly pleasant. Dry finish.

An acceptable dubbel. Despite it being domestic and a lower-than-import price, I'd probably continue to stick with the more assertive dubbels.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 22:16:06 | More by falloutsnow

Tone

Missouri

4.03/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a cloudy, brown color. One inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and great lacing. Smells of dark citrus, sweet malt, slight roasted malt, slight alcohol, slight liquor, and hint of hops. Fits the style of a Dubbel. Mouth feel is smooth and clean, with an average carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, spice, slight alcohol, slight hop, and hint of yeast. Overall, good appearance, aroma, feel, and body.

Serving type: on-tap

10-04-2011 21:09:29 | More by Tone

iadler

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap at Whole Foods LP.

A- Translucent brown with a reddish hue. A two finger head that dissipates into a thin cap with some spots of lacing left behind.

S- When cold, the aroma was barely noticeable, however, as it warmed up, cinnamon, clove, peppery spice, caramel, banana and some black tea notes are present.

T- Better as it warmed up as well with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, clove and pepper. Brown sugar appears with some black cherry, plum and caramel malt.

M- Medium carbonation and body. Finishes dry with the spices lingering.

O- Another good offering from the Smokestack Series. I wasn't liking this until it warmed up a bit, as the flavors and aroma were bland right off the tap.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2011 00:28:59 | More by iadler

emerge077

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on draft in a 12 oz. fluted tulip glass.

Murky chestnut brown, reddish highlights. Fallow tan foam, dense and slowly receding, it leaves a delicate collar of lace that eventually cascades down the glass in concentric circles and webbed rivulets.

Gentle spicing on the nose, a distinctive combination that's thankfully subtle. Caraway, star anise, and others. The caraway seed element really makes it unique, and later comes through in the flavor.

Very smooth bodied, light phenols from the spices, clove, caraway, anise, and a tingle of cinnamon comes through in the aftertaste as well. Coriander lends an earthiness but doesn't seem particularly distinct in the mix. Finishes dry though initially there is a bit of bready malt and molasses sweetness, that gives way to the spice blend before drying up completely with a savory finish. Hints of caramelized sugars that give a fried plantain impression. Medium body, velvety feel with micro carbonation. Looking forward to picking up a few bottles of this. Nice autumnal brew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-15-2011 14:30:30 | More by emerge077

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.7/5  rDev -3.6%
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

Jacurdy60

Alabama

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-Pours a deep amber red color with a massive creamy head. Retention is poor and it dissipates as I drink more and more. Minimal lacing coats the glass. The amber color of the beer is beautiful

S-A bit alcoholic in the nose. Some spice is very prevalent at first, kind of smells like some spiced curry which is very interesting.

T-Very complex. Spiciness is very profound at the start, but the finish is malty layered with a nutty taste on the palate.

MF-Mildly carbonated but has a silky smooth finish once the head is mostly gone.

O-A fantastic dubbel. Very drinkable but does not miss out on any of the flavors. Complex and rich, but the flavors keep the brew interesting which makes you want to drink more and more. Exceptional.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 01:55:00 | More by Jacurdy60

DenverLogan

Colorado

3.71/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Big corked bottle...poured in a Grimbergen chalice.
Pours a copper ruby red brown after modest cork pop...significant amber-light brown head.
Aroma of brown sugar and amber malts, cactus rind, subtle straw and black olives.
Significant carbonation and creamy mouthfeel.
Flavors hit me first of a cola, medium malts, medium hops, and some slightly funky, bitter fruit. After 20 minutes head is still there, aroma is robust, and flavors are cola, good butter, roasted malts, brown sugar, grass and floral hops...all in all flavorful and tasty.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 07:57:09 | More by DenverLogan

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

La vie: Nice big titty like fat heady beer with a dark view. .

L'odour: I just get an old candy or dark fruity notes. Very Belgium.

Les Flavours: I get a deep dark roasty sweet taste. Rather mild. This is not overwhelming. Subtle. The sweetness is like a licorce dark fruit note. Alcohol after taste finish.

Texture: Fizzy.

Ok beer that pairs well with some of the best jazz swing guitar you will ever hear some Django Reinhardt swing. Most any cd will do.

Serving type: bottle

02-07-2013 01:00:00 | More by frankiepop

bensbeers

Maryland

4.55/5  rDev +18.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

An enjoyable brew from Boulevard. Pours a slightly hazy amber with a two-finger, thick, creamy head; minimal lacing. On the nose, I got hints of spice - cinnamon, coriander, clove; sweet toffee and banana. The taste is extravagant - sweet and malty, a bit peppery with a boozy finish. Feel is medium-bodied; lightly carbonated.

Love Boulevard. This is yet another solid beer. I find that complex beers often go well with complex foods, and this one paired wonderfully with the pumpkin soup and garlic toast. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:34:14 | More by bensbeers

drabmuh

Maryland

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Bottle served in a Boulevard cervoise. Beer is brown and hazy with a tan head of small bubbles, some lacing, moderate to low carbonation.

Aroma is yeasty and estery with a sweetness ot it.

It says "spiced" on the label but I don't get any of that, instead I get some nice yeast, decent malts, and some dryness on the end. I like it would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 18:28:25 | More by drabmuh

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

a fine dubbel, nice example of the style with a slight twist. pour is hazy chocolate brown in color, maybe a faint red tint to it, with a few fingers of tan head creamy and thick. the nose is fairly spicy for a dubbel, i pick up anise and orange peel right away, on top of some sweeter caramely malt, belgian candy sugar, and some spunky yeast. the flavor is not nearly as spiced as the nose and is actually in fine balance with a slight alcohol sting in the finish. sweeter, but the soft and smooth texture goes well with the residual sugar. some orange peel in the finish, which the bright carbonation really brings out, and a big malty finish that works well with the belgian yeast strain. overall another classic in the smokestack series, a very impressive and growing line of premium brews. nommo was a delight with grilled steak and chicken kabobs over coconut lime rice, and must have many other culinary partners.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 21:09:31 | More by StonedTrippin

spoony

Colorado

3.78/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 750 ml bottle into a chalice.

A-A slightly aggressive pour produced two fingers of pillowy, tan head. The foam faded quickly to less than a finger, but hung around for a bit. The brew is mostly clear and reddish, brown in color. The ruby tones are attractive.

S-This thing started out sweet and boozy, but mellowed slightly after the initial whiffs. A fair amount of baking spices on the nose like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg were accompanied by sweet, overripe banana-scented yeast.

T-Taste followed the smell pretty closely, but was not quite as sweet. There were some brown sugar and molasses flavors and the aforementioned baking spices to go with a lightly malty backbone, but also some off-putting metallic notes. The metallic flavors faded as the brew neared room temperature, but never completely disappeared.

M-The brew was medium to full-bodied with low amounts of carbonation. The finish went from slightly sweet to semi-dry.

O-This brew is solid. It ranks of the sweet side of the dubbel spectrum, but not quite as cloying as some, e.g., New Belgium Abbey. The flavors are well-balanced with the alcohol sweetness and it is not overly spiced. The feel is probably the high point for me. If it weren't for the strange metallic flavors, this would be a pretty great American dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 04:23:48 | More by spoony

MisterNic

Wyoming

3/5  rDev -21.9%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

750ml corked bottle

A – Pours a deep ruby red with a two-finger head that sticks around until the last sip.

S – Clove, a little banana, and some sweet malt aroma.

T – A little clove, spices, and some banana. It has a surprisingly clean yeast profile with a very subdued belgian character. It actually has a little alcohol burn, which is surprising for a beer that's over a year old, but still pretty easy to drink. I started to taste a lot more banana as it warmed up. I didn't pick up any molasses flavor at all.

M – Full bodied, finishes semi-dry.

O – Overall, this is a fairly decent beer. I'd like to buy a fresh bottle and see what differences there are.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 16:13:40 | More by MisterNic

mmva321

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a goblet.

A: An absolutely beautiful ruby colored body is teeming with carbonation. There is a good amount of tan head at first, and there is a thin but frothy layer that doesn't leave.

S: A delightful cacophony of aromas come at you. Pleasant as it is, nothing dominates and it comes across as a bit flat. Malts and yeast lay a base for figs, raisins and banana.

T: A well-done dubbel. A malt base opens itself up to some beautiful cinnamon and tobacco spice. Some dark fruits round it out. The tobacco aftertaste is truly special.

M: Well carbonated, but may be a little too thin.

O: A solid dubbel with a few surprises in it. A great cold weather beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 02:19:03 | More by mmva321

stewart124

Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +27.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a snifter. Beautiful. Carbonation is visible with a great tan head. Ruby in color.

Banana and cloves with a nice amount a caramel.

The taste is absolutely amazing. Raisin, prune, and fig all together. Chewy mouthfeel and somewhat of a rye character. This must all be from the spices. Delicious tobacco notes and more breast notes.

Really amazing.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 03:13:25 | More by stewart124

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

3.65/5  rDev -4.9%
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

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Huge initial head. Recedes in a lumpy fashion. Surprisingly minimal lace. Red, dark amber color.

Earthy; smells like wet sticks. Dark malts but without any hint of sugar. Alcohol is quietly present.

Nutty flavor with a strong, warming alcohol. Rich bodied. The swallow was a bit of spiciness to it, mostly cinnamon and nutmeg. Peppery aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 00:35:51 | More by smcolw

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

3.45/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I have had some pretty impressive brews from Boulevard over the years. So it is with a heavy heart that I say I am unimpressed with this effort.

Poured into a pint glass, the beer was a murky brown color with no head. Lacing on the sides of the glass was evident. A watery malty aroma seems to suggest something faded about this beer, even before the first taste. In the initial taste, one detects the malt though it is far from strong. Also, notes of cinnamon, pine, and very mild chocolate. In the aftertaste, the lack of excitement continues. Already mild notes disappear and level a watery malt flavor remains. A medicine-like sensation from the alcohol makes the last impression, a bad one.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2012 19:07:43 | More by JohnnyHopps