Westmalle Dubbel (33.1cl, 7%)

Westmalle Dubbel is a 7% ABV bottle-conditioned Belgian Trappist dubbel brewed at Westmalle Abbey in Antwerp, Belgium. The abbey first produced a stronger dubbel-strength beer in 1856 and reworked the recipe in 1926 by doubling the raw ingredients; that 1926 formulation remains the foundation today. It is made from water, barley malt, hops, yeast and dark sugar syrup, then re-fermented in the bottle. The nose opens with caramel and molasses, then dates, raisins, cordial cherry, chocolate and soft banana-like yeast esters. The palate is velvety and malt-forward, with caramelized sugar, dark bread crust, cassis, chocolate, Concord grape, dark berries, faint tea-like tannins and cinnamon. The finish is long, dry and fresh-bitter, with lingering tropical fruit and cocoa.