Abbey Brewing Monks’ Dubbel Ale (8/10)

New Mexico’s Abbey Brewing Company has been producing beer since 2005.  The Dubbel Ale reviewed here wasn’t produced until 2013 (or at least wasn’t a year-round product sold outside the state).

The Benedictine Monks of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert own 84% of the Abbey Brewing Company.  The monks are involved in the brewing of the beer, selection of materials, etc.  It’s probably one of the few Belgian style ales in the USA that can legitimately say an abbey produces it.

The beer pours a slightly cloudy coppery amber color with finger thick off-white head.  The aroma is malty and sweet, with a , and the flavor is very pleasant.  It’s malty, slightly sweet, with a malty caramel note to it.  It’s a very drinkable beer.  It’s also not terribly expensive.  The bottle pictured here was $6.99 and will most likely be recycled when I brew my next batch of beer.

I’m rating it an 8 out of 10.  There aren’t enough ratings on Beer Advocate or Rate Beer for comparison, but if you extrapolate from what’s there, they’re in line with my 8/10 rating.


Sweet, Malty, Dry, Bitter, or Sour: Malty and sweet
Spice Level:  Low
Hops Level: Low
Dominant Flavors: caramel malt
ABV:  7.6%
IBU:  Unknown
My Rating: 8/10