La Trappe Dubbel (Koningshoeven / Dominus)
The label says 7.0% ABV. Colour is deep brown with a tint of wine red. The finger thick foam slowly sinks down to a beige lid, leaving lots of lacing. Although the beer is bottle conditioned, the liquid is almost clear. The smell is creamy and balanced, very fruity and a bit dry with notes of raisins, apricots, alcohol, some paraffin and a refreshing bitterness. The taste is strong and complex, yet very balanced: Yeasty fruity notes with some lightly roasted malt. Raisins, plums, bitter oranges are followed by a dry firm bitterness. Medium body. The aftertaste is roasted with notes of coffee, bitter hops, some dried fruits, toffee and hints of alcohol and a growing dry/bitter flavour with lots of malt and some candy sugar. The carbonation is strong and vivid, just as it should be. Medium sized bubbles. The liquid is a bit thick. Sort of a demanding beer, the taste is stronger than I have found in most Dubbel ales. Not bad at all, but there are others that I find better.