Dubbel Reserve Ale (Allagash)

The Allagash Dubbel Reserve is the same beer (as far as I know) as the Allagash Dubbel that you can purchase in four packs. However, each bottle is corked and labeled with a particular batch number. This enables you to age a few bottles and attempt to taste some subtle differences between the batches. I'm not really sure how old "Batch 71" is but my guess is that it is a fairly recent release. I didn't age this for more than maybe a month so I don't even considered it "cellared". More than anything I just wanted to compare the corked with the capped.

Pours a beautiful amber, slightly reddish hue with a very nice, thick fluffy head. Carbonation is a little less than I remember the small bottle having. A Belgian chalice sure can present a beer nicely. 

Smell is burnt sugar, toast and strong sweet malt. There are also hints of molasses and caramel in the nose. 

Taste is smooth and the initial flavors seem to be a little less intense. Definitely a lot of malty sweetness but the rich fruit flavors are a lot more hidden. The spiciness of the yeast makes itself present along with burnt sugar and toast that are also present in the smell. Feels like silk in your mouth, very easy drinking beer. 

Overall I love this beer. Its definitely one of my favorites here in Maine. I think I need to buy a few different batches and cellar them for some time and have a nice little "Dubbel Party" sometime in the future.

BEER FACTS

Name: Dubbel Reserve Ale (Batch #71)

Style: Dubbel

Brewery: Allagash Brewing Company

Location: Portland, Maine, USA

Container: 750 ml. bottle

Malts: 7 different ones
Hops: ?

ABV: 7%

IBU’s: ?

Brewed in Maine