Brouwerij Dilewyns Vicaris Generaal (Abbey Dubbel)

I received a bottle of Brouwerij Dilewyns Vicaris Generaal (Abbey Dubbel) from the Michael Jackson Rare Beer of the Month Club. This may have been one of the most foamy beers I have ever poured, but when it settled down it pours a dark brown color with an extremely lofty and frothy beige colored head that leaves some lacing on the glass. The aroma consists of caramel, light malts, yeast, and a hint of cardboard. The taste is smooth and sweet with a large caramel profile and Belgian yeast that is balanced with toasted malts and grassy hops. A hint of pepper spices the tongue on the finish. The alcohol content is 8.8% ABV. I’d say this was a rather decent beer with a large sweet Belgian profile that is delicately balanced with grassy and peppery hops.

Brouwerij Alken-Maes Phoenix Grimbergen Abbey Dubbel

While visiting Pittsburgh and the Bottleshop Cafe, I ordered a bottle of Brouwerij Alken-Maes Phoenix Grimbergen Abbey Dubbel. The beer pours a dark brown color with a frothy beige head. The aroma is sweet and malty with cherry, raisin, and fig. The taste is also sweet and malty with hints of cherry surrounded by fig, raisin, and date. It has a lightly carbonated body that foams up a bit. The alcohol content is 6.5% ABV. This beer falls somewhat on the sweet side, and I wasn’t completely sold on the mouth feel. While it is a nice beer, it’s not one that would get ordered over any of the Trappist dubbels.