Top 5 Abbey Ales-Dubbels

my favorite Dark Belgian Abbey beers and Dubbels of 2008 - excluding Dark Strong ales. all time favorites include Westvleteren 8, Achel Bruin, Chimay Red and St. Bernardus Prior 8,


Bornem Dubbel
Plums, Figs and Raisins up front. Large off-white head. Belgian Lace. Toffee and biscuit notes deeper into the tasting. Smooth, no warming, and a nice yeasty, estery overtone. Classic Dubbel.

Lost and Found Abbey Ale
Complex, toasted malts with once again, dried fruits throughout and a low hop presence. The raisin flavor shone through in this one due to the addition of a raisin puree. I'm not sure whether the Belgians would be delighted or disgusted, but in any case, a great beer, maybe even one to cellar for a year to see where it ends up.

McChouffe Brown Ale
Very malty, roasty and nutty. Not as complex and fruity as many Dubbels-Brown ales, but smooth, like a scotch ale with a Belgian interpretation.

Urthel Parlus Magnificum
Rich, complex and malty ale. Notes of toffee, chocolate, caramel and prunes and figs in the nose. Rich, thick mouthfeel, but not quite bock level. Still attains bock level melanoidian complexity, and has additional notes of raisin, earth and tobacco in the flavor. Finish is sweet, but slight bitterness and has a noble, earthy and piney hop character

Rochefort 8
Walks the line with a Dark Strong, which most people consider it, this Abbey ale has a subdued aroma, is slightly sweet up front, rich in the middle, and slightly spicy hoppy in the finish. It has complex, aged and balanced flavor, with dried fruits, vanilla, figs, and even, dare I say it, slight cola.