Five Reasons to Do a Dubbel / Belgian Strong Dark Ale Tasting
'Cause we were just talking to someone about how easy it is to forget why the old classics are the old classics in the rush to find the latest new thing, and we still love Belgian beers even though they seem to have fallen out of "coolness."
'Cause, arguably, the Belgian Dubbel style started with the Westmalle monks. Westmalle was the first Trappist monastery to re-establish itself (in 1802) after having fled France and its revolution. Westmalle started brewing in 1836, producing a brown ale that was stronger than what the monks had been drinking up to that point. In 1856, Westmalle increased the strength of the beer again, only to be reformulated (and increased) again 1926, when they began referring to it as their "Double Beer." The current version of this beer is still available. Why not taste it?
'Cause the Belgian Strong Brown Ales may not follow the strict tradition of the Dubbel, but they still can be top notch beers.
'Cause after all these years, we think we've found what sounds like a believable origin of the term, "Dubbel."
'Cause they're good.
Beers to be Tasted
Westmalle Dubbel
Ommegang Rare Vos
Strangeways Woodbooger
Ommegang Abbey Ale
Unibroue Maudite