Nommo Dubbel - Boulevard Brewing Co.

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

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

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Chicago Bears shaker pint glass.

After trying most of their stable, it's nice to see a new Boulevard offering 'round here. It pours a mostly clear garnet-amber topped by over a finger of light cream-white foam. The nose comprises Belgian candi sugar, banana, white bread, cucumber, honeydew, light caramel, greens, and a touch of clove. The taste holds notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, caramel, candi sugar, clove, light banana, light mandarin orange syrup, very light black pepper, light maple syrup, and mild wheat. Things are mostly spicily sweet on the tongue. The body is a sleek medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a very slightly grainy feel. Overall, a very enjoyable dubbel. It may not be the paragon of the style (a bit too spicy and not the most Belgian thing around), but it tastes pretty damn good and makes me want to drink more. What more could you really want?

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2011 07:07:48 | More by TMoney2591

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.98/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Nommo Dubbel, Boulevard Smokestack Series, Malt Beverage brewed with molasses and spices. 8.1 % ABV, 1 pint, 9.4 fl. oz. No. 15 in the smokestack series.

"Why Nommo? Long ago in Belgium, Trappist monks created an ale they dubbed "dubbel" as in "two". What is else is double? Twins, of course. About the same time, some 3,000 miles away, the Dogon tribe of Mali worshipped ancestral spirits called Nommo, hermaphroditic, fish-like creates who were, that's right, twins. And get this, nommo comes from a Dogon word meaning "to make one drink". Coincidence? You decide.'

Me, I'm just going to drink. And think. And write. Which is a form of thinking. Speaking of thinking, let's start drinking.

Very dark, rich ruby, magenta tinted hue, under a long lived, dotted, creamy head. Looks great.

Aroma: soft, creamy, nutty, a little dark fruit, a minor whisper of vanilla.

Taste: sweetness first, dark fruit, plum, …nicely rounded, Medium bodied. Judiciously spiced. Mildly mollass-ed. Overall, well-balanced, mellow, malty, mmm. Not overwhelmingly deep or complex, not in the least. Simple enough, tasty enough. I don't not love it.

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2011 00:08:23 | More by feloniousmonk

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

Mora2000

Texas

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

Glad to have tried this beer, as this is the only Smokestack beer I had not rated.

The beer pours a brownish color with a tan head. The aroma is a nice mix of molasses, dark fruit, candy sugar and Belgian yeast. I get a little toffee mixed in as well.

The flavor is also very nice. I get some molasses and caramel malt, as well as some yeast and brown and candy sugar. The beer is semi-dry, even with the sugary notes. As the beer warms I get some toasted malt and a little bit of cherry.

Medium to high carbonation and medium mouthfeel. A nice, American-made dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

09-25-2011 21:20:16 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

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

A - Poured out a clear, burgundy color with a three-finger, light brown head of bubbly soft foam. It left sudsy rings of lace ont eh glass.

S - It smelled floral and earthy with subtle fruity notes.

T - Good spiciness up front - not a hop spice but spices. It has a fruity flavor with some sweet caramel and a touch of licorice.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium bodied ale with a dry, clean finish.

O - This is really good. It's not like any other Dubbel that I've had but the flavors really work well together.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2011 13:04:28 | More by zeff80

MasterSki

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Picked this up at Lakeview Binny's. Best before April 2012. Served in a Struise cervoise.

A - Two fingers of tan foam settle to a thick cap, leaving behind minimal lace. Lightly hazed orange-red-brown body - a bit lighter than your typical dubbel, but otherwise quite nice.

S - Lots of phenolic Belgian yeast present, imparting banana and spice character. The additions of star anise and caraway are also quite present, although I get little of the advertised cinnamon or molasses. There's some candi sugar present, but this isn't an overly sweet beer.

T - Taste is again quite yeast-heavy, with green banana, some toasted grains and bread, and only a touch of molasses sweetness. Finishes with spices, particularly the anise, but has a relatively clean aftertaste. No alcohol present, which is appreciated.

M - Surprisingly light-bodied for the ABV. Active, moderate carbonation, a dry finish that imparts a hint of alcohol warmth to the back of the throat. Goes down much quicker than other beers of this style.

D - A really easy drinking dubbel, that needs a bit more kick in the flavor department to make it truly memorable. Still, quite enjoyable, and a solid take on a style most American brewers can't get right most of the time.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2011 18:50:41 | More by MasterSki

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Opens with a huge pop! Pours an effervescent copper with 2 fingers of tan head. Good head retention & lacing

S: Earthy, funky with apple peels & a touch of dirt & a bit of cinnamon & persimmons

T: Follows the nose, funk is bit restrained taste-wise, plus a touch of apricot, & some peppery hops on the edges. Dryness, candi sugar & more apple peels as this warms, some boozeyness on the edges, some molasses finally surfaces. Finishes dry, slightly sweet with apple peel & a touch of funk

MF: Medium bodied, fairly effervescent carbonation, a touch of stickyness at the end

A decent dubbel, but not too excited about this one to be honest

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 20:28:21 | More by russpowell

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

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

jdhilt

New Hampshire

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

Will pour a five+ finger cream head that fades slowly and leaving no lace. Almost clear brown/amber color, some yeast left in bottle. Good carbonation and medium bodied. Slight molasses nose, and flavor is molasses, caramel and bready. Higher ABV is hidden. Batch 2011-1 best by Apr 2012, $9.99 for a caged & corked 750ml bottle from Julio's Liquors Westborough, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 22:16:54 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.63/5  rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

(Served in a tulip glass)
Batch # 2011-2
Best By 04-2012
A- This beer pours a deep pretty dense brown body with a slight orange hue to it and is clear when lit shines through. There is a thick sticky head of light beige and a gentle carbonation swirling up the sides of the glass

S- The soft brassy hint of wheat fades to brown malt with a toasted biscuit malt character and some cardboard qualities to it. There is a yeasty ester quality in the finish.

T- The dark fruit hints meld to a dry toasted malt flavor that has a blend of spice character with hints of cinnamon and perhaps anise when it warms. There is an abbey yeast flavor that grows aswell and a spicy phenol in the dry finish.

M- The medium-light mouthfeel has a tight fizz and an alcohol prick in the finish.

O- There are interesting characters to it but not much depth and things get washed together as the beer opens up. It takes on a bit of an herbal quality that is a bit odd aswell.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2012 22:34:02 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml brown bottle with a batch # and freshness date.

LOOK: Heady beginnings, dark mahogany hue.

SMELL: Molasses cookies, brown bread, carob powder, alcohol soaked raisins, taffy, faint medicinal herb.

TASTE: Very smooth, brown malt, deep toasted grain, burnt sugar, cooked raisins, licorice root, faint charcoal, warming alcohol, cotton candy, modest hopping, dry faintly roasted finish.

Word of warning, make sure you are drinking this beer at cellar temp. Anything colder does not do it justice. Hugely complex, a sipper and a real treat to have. After being in Belgium for a week recently this brew really brings me back.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 04:13:47 | More by Jason

jlindros

Massachusetts

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

So glad Boulevard is shipping to MA now. Starting my reviews with Nommo on a chilly rainy night.

Even with a somewhat careful pour it gives a large 3 finger head which is as big as the beer itself, fluffy fizzy head that fades semi quickly though, over semi hazy dark cranberry reddish brown color, some lacing.

Nose is a Belgian aroma, almost saison like, rustic Belgian farmhouse yeast aromas, light spices, but it also brings molasses, candy syrup like. Then it gets more dubbel like with dark Belgian malts and yeast aromas, hint of booze and esters.

Taste starts with esters, Belgian dubbel yeast flavors bringing the esters, as well as earthy flavors from the same source. Plenty of darker malts, syrupy dark Belgian malts and molasses, as well as a bit of dark fruits, plum, fig, raisin, etc. Spices come on stronger than I expected for how dark the beer is, I expected the dark beer to overpower it. A little bit of warming booze comes through with the sweetness and Belgian esters. Finishes still a bit sweet but drier, sticky mouth, lingering molasses, sahtea like spices, nutmeg, fig, and a bit of molasses.

Mouth is a bit heavier bodied, tons of carbonation, and bit of warming booze.

Overall not bad, the spices are a bit much for me, they just don't seem to fit with the style, but then again who says you need to be within style, especially for something like this. A big beer, tasty, nice dark malts and Belgian yeast flavors, bit of booze but not overly, nice esters, molasses, a tasty beer overall.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2011 00:13:49 | More by jlindros

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

Georgiabeer

Georgia

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

An interesting Dubbel- it starts off normal enough, but there is a hit of hops toward the finish that is not at all normal. I'm not entirely sure I want that hop note in my Dubbel, but it certainly sets this apart from most Dubbels and gives it an American twist, and a note of spice as well that complements the spices added to the beer. I don't get much molasses, except for perhaps as a basis for the spice cookie notes of the beer as a whole. A fairly murky pour, but a nice head that sticks around as a cap. Some of the sweeter notes of the Dubbel are buried a bit by the spice, but overall the beer is pretty pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2012 21:44:35 | More by Georgiabeer

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.85/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Quick head and foam for a dubbel. OK bubbling, but a nice ruby and caramel color.

Yeasty fruit with a little dark sweetness from both the yeast and molasses. Heavily toasted biscuity malts make up the backbone of this aroma.

The flavors, like the aroma, are also layed over the solid foundation of heavily toasted, biscuity malts. That being said, the yeast and molasses stands at the forefront of teh flavor profile. From the front to the back.

Palate is alittle thin and chalky. But still a pretty good beer overall!!

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2012 01:55:11 | More by scruffwhor

dirtylou

Washington

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

750ml bottle, split

appearance: served in a de koninck chalice, nice clear garnet body, light tan lace. nice looking brew and sweet label art

smell: dark fruit, molasses, brown sugar, earthy and fruity

taste: rich molasses, brown sugar, plum, dates, dark fruit soaked in rum, brown malt, caramel, earthy, caramelized sugars.

mouthfeel: medium-light, rich

overall: nice americanized dubbel, though not overly distinguished from its belgian beers

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 01:15:52 | More by dirtylou

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

twiggamortis420

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle pours a fairly clear, medium brown color with a massive cap of tan head...even with a gentle pour. Retention is ridiculous and lacing nice. A lighter colored dubbel, but very good looking brew otherwise.

Nose is bready yeast and caramel malts, a little hint of cola and tootsie roll. Pretty mild on the fruits for a dubbel. So far, so good.

Lots of burnt toffee and caramel on the flavor with noticeable earthy hop bitterness. Yeast is mildly bready and really shies away from the fruit, I wouldnt mind a more assertive yeast presence. Mouthfeel is on the thinner side of medium and never really achieves the density that seems to enhance the Trappist dubbels. Not very sweet and the chocolate notes are very subtle, might be related to the lighter color of the brew, I find it to be an interesting take on the style…if not altogether wonderful. After the delicious Tripel and Quad, this one is a bit of a letdown in the usually stellar Smokestack series.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2011 23:29:11 | More by twiggamortis420

FosterJM

California

4.2/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

946th Review on BA
Bottle to Goblet
750ml

Batch 2011-2
Best by 04/2012

Purchased from On the Rocks, Lawrence, KS

App- A good crimson color with a bit of light brown. A huge 3 finger overflowing egg shell head. No cling but falls to a great pond layer.

Smell- A good smelling dubbel. Yeast, malt, dark fruits, a bit of whispy booze but the 8% stays well hidden. The molasses comes out on a large whiff and brings along a nutmeg and pepper note.

Taste- This was well balanced and not overly potent and leaning towards a small quad. Shines brightly in the middle pocket of flavors with the more molasses and spice. The opening is more malty and the finish pocket is the yeast.

Mouth- A medium bodied and a quite bubbly medium carbonation. This was a good bit of bubbly without being prickly or dry. A nice brown sugar and molasses residual flavor.

Drink- I love me some Boulevard. I really wish they would distro to So. Cal. Their smokestack series is one of my favorites. I would love this in a 12oz.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2011 04:43:34 | More by FosterJM

bluejacket74

Ohio

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

750 ml caged and corked bottle, Batch 2011-2, best by 4-2012. Served in a chalice, the beer pours a reddish/brown color with a half inch light tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is nice, it smells like dark fruit, peppery spice, cinnamon, cloves, molasses and some caramel. The brew tastes mostly just like the aroma, it tastes like dark fruit (raisins, grapes), cinnamon, peppery spice, bready and caramel malt, candy sugar, cloves, and molasses. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's a bit slick and creamy with moderate/high carbonation. I think it's a good overall brew, I'd certainly buy it again. $9.99 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 21:38:05 | More by bluejacket74

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

champ103

Texas

4.35/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Always glad to see a new Smokestack released.

A: Pours a dark, amber/brown color. A massive tan head rises, and settles at about three fingers as I pour with care. Excellent retention, and rings of sticky lace.
S: Up front is the spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander. Toasted malts, dry wood, chocolate. Very nice so far.
T: The toasted malts and chocolate are a bit more revved up. The coriander spice is noticeable and pleasant. Light orange and banana flavors as well. Plenty of cinnamon finishes everything off. The perfect meld of traditional style and a some uniqueness. Excellent.
M/D: A medium to full body. Delicate carbonation, but ultra smooth and creamy. So easy to drink. A great sipper, and the bottle will be gone in no time.

Love it. Once again, the Smokestack series can do no wrong. There is lots going on, and everything melds perfectly together. I wish more breweries could pull things off like this, but I guess that is why this is one of the best series available anywhere. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2011 01:42:36 | More by champ103