BJCP 2021 / 26B
Belgian Dubbel
A rich, malty Belgian dark ale full of dark fruit and caramel.
- Any age
- high strength
- amber color
- top fermented
- western europe
Serve: 48 to 54F, Chalice or goblet
OG1.120
1.062 to 1.075FG1.030
1.008 to 1.018IBU120
15 to 25SRM40
10 to 17ABV14%
6.0 to 7.6%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Raisin, plum and dark fruit
- Caramel, toast and a hint of chocolate
- Light spicy yeast
- Vague
- Fruity
- Better
- Dark fruit and caramel
- Best
- Moderate-high raisin, plum and caramel aroma with light spicy yeast, faint chocolate, low alcohol warmth
Appearance
3 pts- Deep amber to dark copper-brown
- Clear
- Dense off-white head
- Vague
- Brown
- Better
- Deep copper and clear
- Best
- Deep amber to copper-brown, clear to bright, dense creamy off-white head
Flavor
20 pts- Rich dark fruit, caramel and toasted bread
- Gentle spice
- Dry-ish finish with a hint of sweetness
- Vague
- Rich
- Better
- Dark fruit and caramel
- Best
- Moderate-high raisin, plum and caramel malt, light spicy yeast, low bitterness, medium-dry finish with light warmth
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium-full body
- Medium-high carbonation
- Smooth, warming
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium-full and warm
- Best
- Medium-full body, smooth, medium-high carbonation, light warming
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Depth without syrup
- Smooth alcohol
Drops it
- Cloying sweetness
- Hot alcohol
Writing tip
Say how fruit and caramel balance. Example: 'Raisin and plum with caramel and gentle spice. Smooth, warm and well attenuated.'
Pour these
- DubbelWestmalleDry-ish, raisin and caramel, the benchmark
- Première (Red)ChimayFruity, spicy and rounded
- Pater 6St. BernardusRich dark fruit and caramel
Often confused with
- 26D Belgian Dark Strong AleDark Strong is bigger and richer
- 26C Belgian TripelTripel is paler, drier and spicier
Fine here
- Estery: Dark-fruit esters belong
- Alcoholic: A warming note fits
Ruinous here
- Solvent: Hot fusels
- Diacetyl: Butter
- Oxidized: Stale beyond a sherry note
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.