Brouwerij De Plukker Rookop Bruin – Belgian Dubbel at 6.5% ABV | 20 IBU (2019 Craft Beer Advent Calendar #18, 330 ml, best before 30-Jun-2021, acquired 22-Nov-2019, reviewed 18-Dec-2019)
Appearance: hazy ruby brown with one finger of fluffy pale beige head, good retention and moderate lacing. (3/5) Aroma: roasty malts, coffee & chocolate, tart red berries. (7/10) Taste: moderate sweet, moderate-low bitter, mild spice. (7/10) Palate: medium body, moderate-high carbonation, medium duration lightly spicy finish. (4/5)
The label says “bruin” but don’t let that fool you: this isn’t much like an Oud Bruin. The brewer’s notes call it a Dubbel style, and I think that’s much closer to the mark, even though there’s some of the berry tartness you might expect in an Oud Bruin. It’s dominated by roasted malt aromas, with chocolate and coffee over top of red berries (which are, admittedly, not entirely unlike an Oud Bruin). Not bad overall, and fairly seasonal. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
