I just love a good double. Keep in mind, when I say double, I mean a classic double, either a double bock or an abbey dubbel. These days, just about every style out there has a double version (double IPA, double red ales, double pale ales, etc.). But when I think double, my mind wanders in the direction of a soft malty delight in either of the two aforementioned classic German and Belgian styles.

I’ve said this before, but German Double Bocks and Belgian abbey dubbels are a lot alike. They both offer soft dark malty goodness, have about the same alcohol content, and are perfectly suited to the cooler days of early spring and late fall. They depart from each other in that the bocks are lagers and the dubbels ales, with a result that the former will be cleaner and the latter fruitier. Then too, the distinctive yeastiness of Belgian strains is also often present in an abbey dubbel. Still, try a few side by side and see if you don’t agree the dark nutty malts are similar.

An interesting example of Abbey Dubbel that I came across a few years ago was Angelique Abbey Style Dubbel Belgian Ale. This seems to be a Total Wine exclusive; at least, I’ve never seen it elsewhere. It was a good buy at $6.99 for a 750 ML bottle. The beer has an alcohol content of 7% by volume and is brewed by De Proef Browerij in Lochristi, Belgium, near Gent. De Proef is a newcomer in a land of ancient brewers, having opened its doors in 1996. The beer is imported by SBS Imports aka SB Northwest of Portland, Oregon.

Angelique Abbey Dubbel pours to a murky brown color with a light wispy head formation and a fruity soft malty nose. As I sip, I find this beer to be a bit thin in palate and lighter on the chocolate and dark malty notes from most dubbels, though they are still there. The beer is packed with fruit, though: passion fruit, pear, and apple. I get some yeasty Belgian funkiness and malty nuttiness and at the last, a bit or warming alcohol.

As dubbels go, this one is tasty and drinkable, though not as complex as many other examples. A good introduction to the style perhaps, though I am not even sure the beer is sold anymore. I aged mine for a bit over a year, so don’t be afraid to buy it should you find it on store shelves.



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