Dubbel Ale (Allagash)

The Belgian Dubbel, Tim Webb's Good Beer Guide Belgium says this about the Abbey-style:

"A typical dubbel should be copper-brown to dark brown in color, contain some caramelised malts and be re-fermented in the bottle. It may have some candied sweetness. Bitterness may vary from soft to obvious. 

At the sweeter, lighter end they are much like strong brown ales anywhere. The more interesting ones are black and brackish like a strong porter, with elements of stewed tea."

The Allagash Dubbel label states:

"This dark-amber Belgian style ale is hand brewed with 7 different malts, a special sugar and our Belgian yeast. The result is a unique beer with a complex malty taste and a remarkably clean finish. "

I say: 

"It pours a very dark mahogany color. Light can't penetrate this color. The head of the beer leaves some thin lacing on the side of the glass and some swirls of foam remain on top of the beer. 

The smell is rich in malt and small hints of caramel. The smell of this one opens up as it warms a bit. There is definitely some dark fruit and some of that familiar Belgian yeast coming through.

Taste is very reminiscent of some of those great beers I had over in Belgium. The ones with names I can't remember and I can never seem to find here. Tastes of tart and dried fruit along with that great Belgian yeast at first. The finish is sweet and compliments the initial slight bitter taste. It has nice soft mouthfeel that leads to a remarkably easy drinking beer."

I've seen this on tap a couple places around Portland, its a real treasure to find.

BEER FACTS

Name: Dubbel Ale

Style: Dubbel

Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Location: Portland, Maine, USA

Container: 12 oz. bottle

Malts: 7 different ones
Hops: ?

ABV: 7%

IBU’s: ?

Brewed in Maine