Allagash Dubbel Ale
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(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Allagash Brewing Company has appeared on this site several times, and I’ve been quite pleased with these Belgian-style beers. Tonight, the Allagash Dubbel called my name and gave me an excuse to use my chalice again.
Its website describes Allagash Dubbel as an ale that:
. . . boasts a dark mahogany color with ruby hues and a complex malty taste. The finish is dry with subtle hints of chocolate and nuts. With time, Allagash Dubbel will mature in the bottle and acquire distinctive port and sherry characteristics.
The ale will mature because it has a hefty 7% ABV rating, but the alcohol is hardly noticeable in the smell or the taste.
Since the beer has been in my refrigerator for a few weeks, I allowed it to warm up on the counter for nearly 50 minutes. The Dubbel was still cool when I returned, and much closer to the recommended serving temperature of 50 to 60 degrees.
The Allagash Dubbel poured deep amber with mahogany highlights and a narrow, quickly disappearing, pink-hued head. Belgian yeast smells — fruity, sweet, like a dried apricot — wafted up from the glass. Lots of sweet malt and a soft hop presence round out the aroma.
On the tongue, Allagash Dubbel is malty and a little sour with fruit. I was surprised by the lingering bitterness on the finish, which was rather pleasant and encouraged me to raise the glass to my lips again. Subsequent sips brought out more malt complexity, sugary and fruity tastes making a stand before washing away in that deliciously tart bitterness.
I drank this beer entirely too quickly, and I was sad to have it gone. But while it was a tasty beer, I find it hard to compare to the Trappist dubbels I’ve enjoyed so far this year. Many of those were bold and distinctive, but the Allagash Dubbel is rather tame by comparison.
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