La Trappe Dubbel

I have never understood the logic behind the law, but everyone here I have talked to in the know about beer in Georgia has told me it’s “the bible thumpers”. They’re adamantly opposed to any change in this archaic law, on the grounds that (in their minds) any attempt to overturn it is merely part of an Evil Plot to Corrupt Our Youth (said youth already buying 20%+ Mad Dog and 90% Everclear without a problem).

These people need to realize that beer is a drink of moderation, and even at its higher strengths is usually the most moderate of all alcoholic beverages. If I could, I think I would pack up the lot of the “bible thumpers” and send them on a week’s vacation to the Koningshoeven Brewery in the Netherlands. More specifically, I’d want them to visit the monastery, where brothers have been brewing beer since 1884, following a tradition that dates back centuries. Alcohol and religion do not have to be enemies, after all, a fact the brothers can most certainly attest to.

The monks must live by the rule of St. Benedictus:

”Then they are truly monks when they can live just by the work of their hands.”

Ergo, the monks must be self-sufficient. They bake their own bread, grow their own vegetables, make their own cheese, and most importantly brew their own beer. Wine has been known to be made in monasteries too. Historically, monks not only made enough beer to drink themselves, but also enough to sell and to give away to the poor. The beers of La Trappe are so good, in fact, that the monastery can’t keep up with demand, and has contracted out much production to the nearby Bavaria Brewery (in Holland, not Germany). The monks still supervise the process, however, and the beer has not suffered for it.

One of the most delightful beers in the La Trappe line is their heavenly Dubbel. I have purchased it here in Georgia for $6.99 per 750ml bottle, probably more than most youths desperately seeking corruption are willing to pay. It’s also sold in gift packs that offer two 11.2 ounce bottles and a decorative La Trappe logo glass for $7.99. At 6.5% alcohol, it’s just over the legal limit here.

La Trappe Dubbel pours to a murky chestnut color with a creamy, slightly rocky head formation and a slightly sour, nutty nose. The dark malt plate is sinfully delicious (but don’t tell the monks that), with a musty Belgian yeast character, light chocolate notes, coffee, sweet malt flavors, and touches of treacle, nutty malt, and subtle fruit. The yeast character intensifies into the slightly bitter finish. This is a beer best drunk at just under room temperature, cool but not cold, from a wide-mouthed drinking glass that will allow you to appreciate it in all its glory.

La Trappe Dubbel is a perfect match to beef, and I enjoyed it with a delicious rare roast served with a rich gravy made from a pan deglaze along with oven roasted parsley potatoes and asparagus in a lemon pepper butter. One of my very favorite beers, period.

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