Belgian Dubbel

Recipes:
3,929
BJCP 2021:
26B
Era:
Traditional
Origin:
🇧🇪 Belgium
Fermentation:
Top
Color:
Amber
Strength:
High
Taste:
Malty

Profile

Belgian Dubbel is a rich malty beer with a complex palate that often includes mild dark fruit flavors of raisins, plums and perhaps even cherries. The roots of the style lay in the monastic brewing traditions of Belgium, particularly associated with Trappist monasteries where it was crafted to be nourishing while allowing the monks to adhere to their ascetic lifestyle. Belgian Dubbel shares some similarities with its lighter sibling, the Belgian Pale Ale, but distinguishes itself through its stronger malty backbone, darker hue, and greater depth in ester production thanks largely in part to different yeast strains used during fermentation. It also paves the way for stronger Belgian styles like Belgian Tripels and Belgian Quadrupels which increase in intensity of alcohol, complexity of flavors, and richness while varying significantly in coloration – Tripels being golden whereas Quadrupels reside on the deeper end of the spectrum akin to Dubbels but typically darker still.

Therefore, Belgian Dubbels are typically a deep reddish-copper to medium brown in color in terms of appearance. They generally display a clear visage but can possess a slight haze. The head is often dense and mousse-like, ranging from off-white to light tan, offering both persistence and lacing on one's glass as they drink. The flavor profile and aromas of this medium-bodied beer coalesce into an invitingly sweet overall impression without being overly sugary or heavy. Malt-forward tastes dominate with definitive caramelized sugar character that dovetails seamlessly with the aforementioned dark fruit notes. Hop bitterness is low to medium-low and hop flavor is usually absent; hops more so serve as a balancing agent than anything else. Phenols derived from yeast may impart very subtle clove or spice nuances, and Belgian yeast strains contribute esters that complement both malt and hops without overshadowing them. The finish usually leans towards dryness but carries remnants of malt sweetness for balance. Alcohol strength ranges from noticeable to moderate and enhances the complexity while remaining well-integrated into the beer’s profile.

Specifications

Alcohol

Specification
6.0 – 7.6 %

In Database
5.5 < 6.8 < 8.1 %

Bitterness

Specification
15 – 25 IBU

In Database
13 < 21 < 29 IBU

Color

Specification
20 – 33 EBC
10 – 17 SRM

In Database
18 < 30 < 38 EBC
9 < 15 < 19 SRM

Original Extract

Specification
15.1 – 18.1 °P
1.062 – 1.075 OG

In Database
13.3 < 16.1 < 19.1 °P
1.054 < 1.066 < 1.080 OG

Final Gravity

Specification
2.1 – 4.6 °P
1.008 – 1.018 FG

In Database
1.5 < 3.8 < 5.3 °P
1.006 < 1.015 < 1.021 FG

Popularity Over Time

Most Used Yeasts

Most Used Hops

Dosage of Hops

Hop Pairings

Brewing Recipes