Well I messed up! I was headed to Spring Hill, Tennessee, you see, and whenever I do that I make a stop at Wild Hare Beer Company for a growler fill and some singles and six-packs. Problem was, I forgot my growlers, and there was a beer pouring I really wanted to try: Black Abbey The Special Belgian-Style Abbey Dubbel.

Black Abbey is fast becoming one of my favorite Tennessee breweries, you see, and Abbey Dubbels, spicy and with a malt profile similar to my beloved doppelbocks, are amongst my favorite styles of beer. What luck then when Wild Hare also had the beer in six-packs of cans. Yay!

Black Abbey says:

Nashville’s only year round Belgian-style Dubbel. This classic Belgian-style ale has a deep burgundy color and a bready malt aroma. Splashes of zesty orange and semi-sweet chocolate give this light-bodied beer layers of complexity and depth. Clean, dry finish. Pairs well with evenings amongst friends; barbecue, meat stews or a juicy steak.

Black Abbey The Special has an alcohol content of 7.4% by volume with 20 IBUs. I paid $9.99 for my six-pack at Wild Hare.

Black Abbey The Special Belgian-Style Abbey Dubbel pours to a dark brownish color with a thick creamy tan head and a sot malty nose with notes of figgy dark fruit. Taking a sip, the beer is front-loaded with dark fruity raisin and fig, some spicy clove and citrus and dark malty cookie notes with deeper molasses. Finishes dry with spice and slightly sour, which is not something I want in the style. Still, this is delicious with a delightful interplay of dark fruit and spice and a hint of yeasty funk.

Complex and tasty, I am really enjoying this.  

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