I guess it’s tough for most breweries to bat 1.000. Even if you only make three beers.
I was a little surprised with my experience with Westmalle Dubbel, considering their tripel is generally regarded as the benchmark of the style. In fact, it ranks very high on my Top 20 list. But the dubbel left just a little to be desired, especially when compared to its peer group in the Trappist/Abbey category.
Poured with a rich mahogony coloring and a decent head that hung around for a bit. Aroma was earthy, a pretty balanced mix between caramel and some fruity esters. I get some plum. Solid yeast backbone. Also seemed hoppier, maybe even spicier, than other Trappist dubbels like Chimay Premiere, for example.
While the introduction was pleasant overall, Westmalle Dubbel fell flat on the back end for me. A very dry, very bitter characteristic with not much of the malty sweetness that I look for in a dubbel. Not very complex or interesting. It almost bordered on sour, the furthest thing from rich and creamy. I was a bit surprised by all of this. Also a fairly weak mouthfeel, thin and a bit watery. Again, not what I expected. Didn’t pick up any alcohol in the finish, which was good. But that might be the only redeeming quality to the taste experience.
I feel like I need to give this one another shot at some point given Westmalle’s reputation. When I look back at my review of their tripel, I wonder if Westmalle just trends to the drier, spicier side of the equation, even in a beer that isn’t generally supposed to take on those qualities. To be fair, it’s better than some dubbels I’ve had, but not nearly what I’d expect from a Trappist brewery of its ilk. Bit of a disappointment.
Rating: B-/C+
June 25, 2009 at 11:25 am
I will have to try both the Dubbel and Tripel and see what I get. I’m pretty sure I have had the dubbel but that was before I was evaluating beers. Have you ever tried the North Coast Brother Thelonious? Not sure if that is considered a dubbel or not, but that is one damn good beer. It’s got that malty sweetness I think you were looking for here.
June 25, 2009 at 11:35 am
I have had Brother Thelonious, it was a while ago, but a nice beer from what I recall.
June 25, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I like the Brother Thelonius, too. I think it might be a dubbel or trippel abbey ale, but these are technically trappist, too. In regard to Westmalle Trippel, I think it is pretty good but I’ve heard a lot of people speaking disparagingly about the dubbel. I don’t think you are the far off base on this one.
June 26, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Really shocks me you didn’t like this one. I think their dubbel is actually better than their tripel, though I give both an A plus. Perhaps you got a bad bottle (if I can be so arrogant)?
June 26, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I wondered about the bad bottle thing. I’ll pick another up at some point and compare notes, this one was definitely not to expectation.