La Trappe Dubbel (Koningshoeven / Dominus)
Pours out to a murky dark amber to mahogany in color, forming a whipped light tan head atop medium-sized bubbles. Carbonation is mild to moderate for the style. Retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is of sticky sweet amber malts with hints of apples, rum, raisins and dates, a touch of bready yeast, a distant alcohol, vanilla, and walnut. Mouthfeel is bright with a medium body. Taste begins with a bright carbonation followed by a warming touch of very smooth and round dates and yellow raisins. The hops are minimal, only contributing to a bit of balancing bitterness in the finish. The finish is wet with notes of rum, a hint of copper, caramel, a nice toastiness, and a slick, crisp mouthfeel. Alcohol is mildly perceptable by a hint of astringency, but is otherwise unobtrusive. Body is somewhat watery for a beer of this style, but that's a plus in my book, as these beers are typical too overcarbonated for my liking. Warming to room temp, the brew becomes smoother and the complex sugars begin to emerge. A quality trappist dubbel, much better than Chimay and Westmalle in my book. Complex, yet smooth and sophisticated. Easy to drink, too!