Brasserie Belgh Brasse _Mons Abbey Dubbel_ Abbey Dubbel at 8% ABV _(C$8.04 at NLC Stavanger, 750 ml, no bottle date or best before, acquired 13-May-2016, reviewed 15-Jun-2016)_
Appearance: clear cola red/brown with a short loose light beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin skim, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: dark fruit, molasses and brown sugar, liquorice, citrus and spices. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate-low bitter, light tart. (7/10) Medium-full body, moderate carbonation, off-dry slightly sticky and spicy warming finish. (4/5)
Aromas of raisins and figs heavily sweetened with brown sugar, and the taste follows, but it’s not so sweet as to become sickly. The moderate sustained carbonation probably helps there, and although it finishes a little sticky, it never becomes mouth-coating or cloying. Spicy and citrus flavours come through mostly in the finish, which is also the only indication of the fairly high ABV. Not the greatest Abbey Dubbel I’ve had, but definitely solid – and hard, if not impossible, to beat for the very reasonable price. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
