Review Date 9/4/2004
Try? Re-buy?
Duvel pours to a pale yellow golden color with a huge rocky
“cauliflower” head formation. The amount of foam is impressive, and it
follows the beer all the way down to the bottom of the glass leaving a thick
layer of foamy Brussels lace on the sides. The nose is heady and packs
potent notes of yeast with grassy hops.
The first sip of Duvel delivers a crisp and cotton-candyish malt palate,
with more flavors rapidly emerging. Hints of pear and pineapple emerge,
especially as your beer warms. Duvel should not be served overly chilled.
“Musty” yeast notes are also readily apparent, and texturally the beer has a
very creamy mouthfeel. In the finish, a touch of alcohol warmth and a gentle
Czech hop bitterness finish the beer perfectly.
Duvel is a long standing favorite of mine. It is a delightful sipping beer,
perfect on a cool or cold evening to warm the soul as well as the body.
Duvel makes a perfect aperitif beer; it is not heavy enough to be filling
yet will arouse the appetite with its respectable alcohol strength.
Though Duvel is certainly a complex Belgian ale, there are more complex ones
to be had from Belgium. Yet its delightful and unique idiosyncratic
qualities make it a match for any other Belgian brew, I think. It’s
wonderful in its own way, and typical of Belgian beer culture. For this
reason, I have chosen Duvel to represent Belgium in my bottled beer tour of
the world entitled Around the World in Eighty Brews.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft