Grimbergen Dubbel - Brouwerij Alken-Maes

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle. A particularly difficult beer to pin down, origins-wise. I assume that this beer, brewed at Alken Maes, is owned by Kronenbourg, as that is what this bottle says. And oh, the same 'glucose syrup' that invades their Blanc 'witbier' is present here. Yay.

This beer pours a clear, dark ruby amber hue, with three fingers of puffy, loosely foamy beige head, which leaves a seriously random array of grotesquely layered, sudsy lace around the glass as it evenly subsides.

It smells of tame Belgian yeast, a bit of bittersweet chocolate, faintly roasted caramel malt, an ethereal nuttiness, a touch of weak clove, and a mostly dry earthy hoppiness. The taste is fairly sweet caramel malt, lightly stewed raisins, a still subtle oily nut essence, Zeller's brand figs, a hint of generic sugary red grape juice, and a soft earth yeastiness. I was ready to wank on further, but this beer just sort of stopped, and thus, so did I.

The bubbles are pretty sedate, the body mostly medium in weight, and smooth, I suppose, a certain hard to pin down astringency rising and falling. It finishes on the sweet side, as a NutraSweet kind of sugary character finally bursts forth, among the lingering veritable caramel malt, yeast-enabled dark fruitiness, and very timid earthy, more than noble hops.

A 'dubbel', sure, but in a rather newbie, weakly pandering manner. Complexity seems lost on this one, and the adjunct ingredients, while not overly apparent, still add little to the mix, if at all. Easy enough to drink, but hardly up to the measure of almost any other true Belgian offering of the sort.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 02:31:41 | More by biboergosum

mttaylor1066

Connecticut

4.03/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

This variation on the dubbel style is classic, IMO. If you want to have a double dubbel, this is the single Belgian for you.

Poured into a crystal water glass. Dark cola in appearance with a nicely formed mousse that lingers and laces the glass.

The nose is Belgian yeast and lightly roasted malt.

The taste is not nearly as dark as the color. A sweet malt base with enough hop bitterness to keep it light on the palate. Perhaps it is the color, but I taste old-fashioned cola nut. This is not a very difficult beer to understand or enjoy.

Mouthfeel is like a fizzy American-style ale. It's not as languid as the other Belgians. Enjoyable.

One of my standby ales, if I don't know what I want in the liquor store I know that I'll be pleased with a six pack of this in the refrigerator.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 21:29:09 | More by mttaylor1066

Blindpigbiz

California

3.24/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

Style/abv: dubbel/6.5%

Smell: cacao, water, malts and a spit of caramel

Taste: tart green grapes, slightly effervescent water, slight hints of toffee and celery alongside bitter malts, raw almonds, and a pinch of caramel syrup

All-in-all, this beer was slightly disappointing to me due to the flavors within the beer counter acting each others positive qualities. However, the latter is just my opinion and I encourage everyone to try something at least twice: once for curiosity and twice for the hell of it

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 20:52:27 | More by Blindpigbiz

Dave1999

Virginia

3.65/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Pours a transparent reddish brown with a foamy white head.

The smell is cloves and yeast.

The taste is sweet and malty. Pretty one dimensional but fairly tasty.

The mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation.

Overall a fairly nice if unremarkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 04:07:09 | More by Dave1999

HabiMendes

Rhode Island

3.75/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

The beer brings a dark-amber body, and the almost-white neck is not as well-retained as expected, given the style. The aroma has strong caramel notes, with toasty and cherry-like ideas in the background. The alcohol is (too) perceptible. The finish is short and smooth, leaving a subtle hop presence. It's a good beer, but not fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 03:17:31 | More by HabiMendes

dar482

New York

3.36/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

It's a good middle for a dubbel.

The taste has some malt, sweet dark fruits, a good carbonation. It has a foamy lacing. It is really drinkable, but is really is drinkable. It's not a bad thing, but I think it should have more bitter, sweet, and complexity.

Compared to Chimay Rouge, it's lacking, but decent and quite accessible.

Serving type: on-tap

04-25-2013 02:58:18 | More by dar482

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.61/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grimbergen Double has a very thick, beige, pillowy head and a fairly clear, reddish-brown, bubbly appearance, with lots of heavy lacing left behind. The aroma is very fruity, spiced, sweet, and bready. The flavor is of sugary, spiced, bread crust, with a subdued bitterness in the background. The mouthfeel is between light and medium, and Grimbergen Dubbel finishes semi-dry, mellow, and highly drinkable. Overall, this is a very enjoyable beer, and I rate it most excellent.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2013 21:27:48 | More by RonaldTheriot

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.63/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

11.2fl oz
Served in a Chimay goblet

A - Pours very dark brown with a nice beige head that leaves long horizontal lines of lacing.

S - Semi sour fruity, plums, cherries, prunes, candy sweet, smells alot like rum and cherry coke, sweet malts underneath.

T - Dark candi sugar, rum soaked fruits, plums, semi-tart cherries, lots of red figs, Brown sugar sweet malts, nutmeg spice. The finish is wet, sweet, and open ended, leaving me wanting a more of a closing finish.

M - Thick feel, fuller bodied(not heavy) medium carbonation,

This Dubbel starts off with great poise. Lot of sugary fruit, sweet malts, yeast presence, but the finish just doesn't close the deal. It has a pure fruit tart character but the finish falls flat. That doesn't mean this isn't a solidly flavored Dubbel. I would buy a sixer of this for any occasion.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 01:36:23 | More by StaveHooks

argock

Virginia

3.18/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an 11.2 oz brown bottle into a St. Feuillien chalice. No decipherable bottling date. Received as part of a beer exchange with friends.

A: Tawny brown with huge 2-finger clumpy, chunky big-bubbled oatmeal colored head with good retention and crusty lacing.

S: THe aroma unfortunately is big step backward from the appearance. There is a soft dark and slightly sweet maltiness, herbal hopping, but an absent yeast character.

T: THe flavor is nearly the next score up, but is held back by an unpleasant finish. The soft sweeter-than-expected malt component has a fig and raisin character. The hopping is light and earthy. The yeast character is much stronger than in the aroma, but there are qualities of the fermentation that are undesirable. There are some bready qualities from the yeast, but the bubble gum flavor is too strong and there is a metallic aftertaste that really hurts this beer.

M: The mouthfeel is way too light and carbonated for the style in my eyes -- I want something with a more vinous feel with more heft and a lighter carbonation profile.

O: Certainly not a confidence-builder for Grimbergen.

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 03:33:08 | More by argock

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

poured into a massive half liter chalice, much to my surprise. looks glorious in its rightful glassware, very dark red t brown in color with a half inch of bone white lace on top. the glass is heavy and cold, and the beer inside of it is just delicious. the nose is dark fruits, molassas, and just enough alcohol. the taste is far more interesting, with the fruits and some candy sugar striking a nice note in the foregroud. spice and robust belgian yeast take the middle, while the residual sugar and cherry wine notes round out the finish. it has a really nice flow in that way. it does however lack some of the more subtle complexities of the best beers of this style, but that is not to its discredit. i find this a much more approachable and drinkable dubbel than many, as evidenced by how easily this half liter slid down. a little thin on the body for me, but that works fine with the gentle carbonation. its got a sliky smooth texture that i adore, and to me this is the best of the grimbergen beers. well worth it, espeicaly on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

12-24-2012 17:01:36 | More by StonedTrippin

DannyHartman

3.78/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

As I pour a 11.2 oz. bottle into a pint glass, a thick 3" head appears atop a clear amber reddish/brown brew that has lively bubbles rising throughout the drink.... This brew has great retention, and leaves tons of thick foamy lacing.

I take a whiff and get mostly dark fruit like that of raisin, fig, prune, and grape.... There's also a spiciness like that of cinnamon or nutmeg with a bit of sweet Belgian yeast.

The taste also has lots of dark fruit like tart cherry, raisin, plum, and fig.... There's also some sweet caramel malts with just a bit of spice.

I'd say this is a medium-bodied brew that is highly carbonated.... It has a slick and creamy feel with a crispness that leaves a tingly, tart aftertaste.

Overall, I think it's a great beer.... On Belgium standards; however, it's not up to par.... I love Belgian's, and this is one of my least favorite out of the Mecca.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 19:39:27 | More by DannyHartman

socon67

New York

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

A - Amber to brown color with plenty of foam. Carbonation is strong on this guy and the foam head retains and laces as such.

S - Notes of light malts, spices, and candied fruit. Also has a slight boozy smell that was similar to a rumcacke.

T - Candied sugar and fruit notes, some sweetbread taste from the yeast, and finsihes with a dry malt. Hits all the notes of a good Belgian dubbel, so I'll give it that.

M - Felt slightly thin and a bit too much carbonation for me. But the balance was good and the flavors were blended well enough to make this a decent option.

O - I think I liked the Grimbergen Blonde better. But this is a good option for someone to dabble in when trying Belgian styles. Makes a good transition to the style.

Serving type: on-tap

12-06-2012 17:27:51 | More by socon67

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I had this beer at Todd English PUB in Las Vegas. This review is from notes.

There was a reddish body on this dubbel with minimal foam. I think the light foam is from a very generous draft pull.

The nose offered some decent venous quality in the nose from the belgian presence. The flavor offers caramel and dark fruits.

This is a pretty simple dubbel. I like the clean presence on this one.

Serving type: on-tap

11-10-2012 00:54:24 | More by ummswimmin

Tone

Missouri

3.6/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a clear, dark brown color. 2/3 inch head of an off-white color. Great retention and good lacing. Smells of sweet malt, slight pale malt, slight hop, slight yeast, and a hint of caramel malt. Fits the style of a Dubbel. Mouth feel is sharp and crisp, with a high carbonation level. Tastes of sweet malt, slight pale malt, slight yeast, and a hint of hop. Overall, good appearance and aroma, but body is a little weak, and the feel is too carbonated.

Serving type: on-tap

10-08-2012 10:50:33 | More by Tone

mschind

California

3.68/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle dated 2010

A- Poured into a tulip and needed some altitude to produce a nice fluffy off white head which faded to a thin persistent cap wih good lacing.

S- Belgian yeast, fruity esters, raisins and spice with some alcohol in back.

T- Malty sweet up front and fruity. Finish is slightly tart wit cider notes.

M- Well carbonated, medium bodied and not at all heavy. Not a big alcohol kick for a Dubbel.

O- Not in the same league as some of the better known Trappist and Abbey ales but was a pleasant accompaniment to a wood fired pork chop with grilled peaches and greens.

Serving type: bottle

09-20-2012 02:29:20 | More by mschind

RyanLigeia

Massachusetts

2.78/5  rDev -26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Pours a clear, dark, redish/brown color. 1in offwhite head with decent retention that fades to a thin film that floats at the top. Leaves nice lacing.
Smells of berries and other dark fruits. Slightly yeasty, sweet and malty. I can sort of detect the alcohol in it and the bit that i detect isnt blended very well. Almost like a cheap vodka, way underneath everything.
Taste is similar to the smells. That slight cheap alcohol is still there underneath. Berries, candied cherries, red grapes. A little too sweet and artificial tasting for me.
Mouthfeel is very bubbly compared to what I'm used to with the belgian dubbels. I wouldnt say the body is heavy but it still somehow seems a bit sticky.
Overall not a bad beer but definitely not one of my favorite dubbels.

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2012 00:08:04 | More by RyanLigeia

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

3.9/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into one of my Bruery Tulips.

A: Pours a murky, moderately-dark shade of brown, with a big thick off-white head on top.

S: Sweet smelling, malted barleys and candied sugars.

T: There's a great tart sourness here that I found no trace of in the nose. Candied sugars and a touch of dates are expertly balanced with a grape-like sourness that works well here. It gives this beer some character, and helps it avoid falling into the common trap of being "overly sweet and yeasty".

There's a spiciness on the back end that reminds me a bit of ginger or maybe pepper. It stays within bounds and doesn't overwhelm at any point.

M: Good mouthfeel here. Light, lively, good carbonation, creams up nicely in the mouth, finishes dry. Everything I'd look for.

D/O: This is good. I liked it, and would have it again. That said, 20 Liters is a lot... and I'm not sure if I would enjoy an entire keg of it. As I worked through the glass, the sweetness began to overwhelm the sourness, and what little bitterness exists on the back end is woefully inadequate to stand up to the other flavors here. In summary: Good, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2012 21:46:19 | More by psuKinger

Brubaker

Virginia

4.28/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Dark amber. Smooth carbonation. A three finger head with great retention. Clear.

S- Deep floral malts with no alcohol. Strong fragrance. Clean.

T- Clean sweet dark malts. Spicy & earthy No alcohol. Some bitter to the finish. Strong flavors.

M- Medium body. Light texture. Good carbonation.

O- A well made enjoyable heavy malt beer. Though light enough to drink more than one.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 04:06:07 | More by Brubaker

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at biercraft Cambie in Vancouver.

A: 1/2" tan head with nice lacing over mahogany liquid

S: muted scent of yeast, grassy hops, cherries, figs, grapes and pears.

T: like it smells, yeast, cherries, figs, dark grapes, pears and grassy hops

M: thin viscosity and low carbonation

O: like a cousin to Gouden Carolus classic, this tasty dubbel goes down easy

Serving type: on-tap

08-20-2012 22:42:43 | More by DaftCaskBC

TheBrewo

Michigan

2.6/5  rDev -31%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

We pour a near black brew. It holds a two finger head of light brown bubbles. This shows okay retention, leaving microspecks and bands of lacing around the glass. Carbonation appears average, and no sediment is noted. The aroma is sweet, with synthetic cherry fruitiness. The malts are rich with caramel and copper. They also hold a thick breadiness, along with baker’s yeast. With warmth the sweetness is enhanced by booze and a lemony freshness. Our first impression is that the beer is wildly sweet. As we sip, the flavoring opens with cloying sugar and that same synthetic fruit from the nose. The sweetness is puckering, washing out most of the grain here, which is metallic and borderline adjuncty. The sweetness remains to the peak, where tea leaves and raspberry sugars take over, bringing us to an equally as sugary finish. The end also shows some burnt caramel malts and some fusel alcohols. The aftertaste breathes with tin, yeast, mineral water, and sweet cherries. The body is medium to thicker, and the carbonation is higher. There is big foam with each sip, building as you swirl the beer around your mouth. This also affords decent slurp and pop with each swallow. The mouth is initially coated with that same foam, but it quickly dries, leaving an astringent streak down the tongue. The abv is appropriate, and the beer drinks slowly on account of the sugariness.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the rich coloring. It initially appeared jet black, but as it warmed and when held to light, more maroon hues began to shine through. Otherwise, the tasting was overly sweet. With this style the sugars should come from the malts themselves and have a deeper, more serious cooked caramel flavoring. Here, the sweetness came from additive fruitiness which was overdone and overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 20:47:04 | More by TheBrewo

Sunnanek

Sweden

3.5/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Pours deep burgundy whit a enormous off-white head that's both creamy and still compact. Dissipation takes quite some time, and leaves rich lacings behind.

S: Surprisingly mild for both this style as well as this brewery. Dark dried fruits. Sweet dark malts. Some yeast and spices. Honey.

T: Dark dried fruits, almost syrupy sweet. Vineous. Malty, caramell. Yeast and dark sugar.

M: Short aftertaste, sour and somewhat bitter. Body is rather full while carbonation is mild.

O: Rather dissapointing; all the flavours are there but too faint. Sorry.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2012 18:16:36 | More by Sunnanek

doktorhops

Australia

4.1/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

Another Belgian abbey brew, well I want to taste them all after reviewing Chimay Blue and Orval - two of the best beers out there. And who doesn't love Belgian beers? These guys break all the rules (unlike the strict Germans and their Reinheitsgebot), the Belgians use additives like Candi sugar and Lambic (wild) yeasts, truly the masters of beer... and Brussels sprouts.

Poured from a 330ml bottle into a beer chalice.

A: Presents with a deep ruby body and a 1cm tan head. A little darker than other Dubbels I've had.

S: Aroma is faint, can detect macerated figs, honey and a hint of nutmeg/cinnamon/coriander spice. Hope the taste is all that and more.

T: Sweet! No really it is quite sweet. This brew takes on a mead-like dimension with the flavour; honeyed figs, vinous grapes and a hit of black currants at the end. It doesn't really have any typical beer flavours and as such it is an interesting diversion from the million other beers out there. The sugar does cloy a bit however, and is evidently hiding the alcohol.

M: Mid to heavy body, sticky and with a light carbonation.

D: Bit of a dessert beer then. I found it quite easy to drink, not harsh or sickly sweet like other cheap Belgian abbey brews. Hits the sweet spot ironically between alcohol content and an overpowering sugar assault. Might have to get this again.

Food match: Desserts of course. And when it comes to desserts it's any man's (or woman's) game, however I think like for like something with macerated figs would go well.

Serving type: bottle

08-01-2012 08:52:23 | More by doktorhops

VanillaHeat

3.48/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

This arrived is a small scooner glass that had the Grimbergen logo imprinted on the glass. I had no prior knowledge of this beer and tried it basically because it was $2 off a pint. I was surprised by the fruity taste. I thought blueberry, no blackberry…then realized it was grape. It was a dark beer that had a good feel, but I kept concentrating on the grape taste. Eventually that wore off and I just enjoyed it.

I wouldn’t say it was my favorite, but it wasn’t bad.

Serving type: on-tap

07-26-2012 05:15:27 | More by VanillaHeat

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

3.53/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Red-caramel brown. Sticky lacing. 4.0

Toasted grain, caramel, dark fruits. Light aroma. A little vinous. 3.5

Very toasty for a dubbel. Caramelly and somewhat attenuated. Some wine-like notes with a woody character. Some noticeable spicy booze. 3.5

Medium-full body with very light carbonation. 3.5

Unspectacular Belgian ale. Has some character and easy drinkability. 3.5

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 02:14:04 | More by thecheapies

UCLABrewN84

California

3.95/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear dark brown with a 1 inch foamy tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, spice, and some dark fruit aromas. Taste is of malt, dark fruit, and some more mild brown sugar and spice flavors on the finish. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer with a nice set or aromas and flavors. Quite tasty and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 03:31:08 | More by UCLABrewN84