Allagash Dubbel
Review Date 10/8/2002
Try?
Re-buy?
Psssstt. I got a
secret. Those crazy people up in Portland, Maine? They stole a piece of
Belgium and transplanted it to an industrial park a short ride from
downtown. They call this place Allagash Brewing, and it's well worth a
visit. The good folks at Allagash will be happy to give you a tour upon
notice, and will even sell you bottled beer to take home (this is legal in
Maine).
Allagash Dubbel is a dark rich abbey style ale with a warming alcohol content of 7% by volume. The beer is available in six packs of 12 ounce bottles. This is a MALTY beer. The label states that seven different malts are employed, and one can well believe it. The label further denotes a complex malty taste, and this is dead on the money. The beer is deep brown in color with a formidable creamy head and a distinct Brussels lace which follows it down the glass. The nose is slightly sour with a hint of Belgian yeast character. Sipping the brew delivers an explosion of malt flavors, hinting at chocolate and toasted malt. Candy sugar and Belgian yeast lend a truly authentic flair to this beer, and a delicate kiss of hops in the finish complete this masterpiece .
It's also available in 750 ml corked bottles complete with wire cage to hold
the cork on. This is the Dubbel Reserve, and it includes a little booklet
around the neck that proudly proclaims this beer is bottled a la methode
champenoise. One is informed the brew will improve upon cellaring. Each
batch is numbered. I described batch number one thusly: Pours to a dark
brown color, big foamy-rocky tan head, big malty-yeasty nose. Palate is rich
with subtle chocolate, firm malt body, yeasty Belgian horse-blanket notes.
Finish is warming, slightly tilting to the sweet side, rich and rewarding.
Tonight I have a bottle of batch number three. I remove the wire and pull on the cork. It doesn't want to come off. I however, will not be denied. Eventually the cap yields with a thunderous POP! Have I ever mentioned that is one of my favorite sounds in the whole world? I pour the cola-colored brew into my bowl-shaped glass appropriate for the style. Again the rocky cauliflower head, but this time the nose is less malty and more yeasty. Loads of that funky Belgian yeast character that is just impossible to describe other than funky Belgian yeast character. You get to recognize it after a few of these kinds of brews. It's all over the palate too, where it joins the chocolate which is apparent in a big way. There are strong hints of licorice too. The finish is balanced and warm with alcohol.
One of the great things about beers like this is that they will usually not be identical from batch to batch, and certainly not as you age them. This kind of idiosyncrasy is welcome and makes the beer unique each time you open a bottle.
I'm not sure I would recommend this beer with food other than perhaps a rich chocolate dessert. It's a great after dinner sipping beer; the larger bottle is perfect for sharing with a friend or special person.
Allagash Dubbel is a dark rich abbey style ale with a warming alcohol content of 7% by volume. The beer is available in six packs of 12 ounce bottles. This is a MALTY beer. The label states that seven different malts are employed, and one can well believe it. The label further denotes a complex malty taste, and this is dead on the money. The beer is deep brown in color with a formidable creamy head and a distinct Brussels lace which follows it down the glass. The nose is slightly sour with a hint of Belgian yeast character. Sipping the brew delivers an explosion of malt flavors, hinting at chocolate and toasted malt. Candy sugar and Belgian yeast lend a truly authentic flair to this beer, and a delicate kiss of hops in the finish complete this masterpiece .
It's also available in 750 ml corked bottles complete with wire cage to hold
the cork on. This is the Dubbel Reserve, and it includes a little booklet
around the neck that proudly proclaims this beer is bottled a la methode
champenoise. One is informed the brew will improve upon cellaring. Each
batch is numbered. I described batch number one thusly: Pours to a dark
brown color, big foamy-rocky tan head, big malty-yeasty nose. Palate is rich
with subtle chocolate, firm malt body, yeasty Belgian horse-blanket notes.
Finish is warming, slightly tilting to the sweet side, rich and rewarding.
Tonight I have a bottle of batch number three. I remove the wire and pull on the cork. It doesn't want to come off. I however, will not be denied. Eventually the cap yields with a thunderous POP! Have I ever mentioned that is one of my favorite sounds in the whole world? I pour the cola-colored brew into my bowl-shaped glass appropriate for the style. Again the rocky cauliflower head, but this time the nose is less malty and more yeasty. Loads of that funky Belgian yeast character that is just impossible to describe other than funky Belgian yeast character. You get to recognize it after a few of these kinds of brews. It's all over the palate too, where it joins the chocolate which is apparent in a big way. There are strong hints of licorice too. The finish is balanced and warm with alcohol.
One of the great things about beers like this is that they will usually not be identical from batch to batch, and certainly not as you age them. This kind of idiosyncrasy is welcome and makes the beer unique each time you open a bottle.
I'm not sure I would recommend this beer with food other than perhaps a rich chocolate dessert. It's a great after dinner sipping beer; the larger bottle is perfect for sharing with a friend or special person.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
