Abbey Monk's Belgian Dubbel Ale (8/10)

Abbey Brewing Company is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their products are brewed on the grounds of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The brewing funds the operations of the monastery itself. Their product line includes Monks' Ale, Monks' Tripel, Monks' Tripel Reserve, Monks' Wit, and of course Monks' Dubbel.

Abbey Monks' Dubbel pours a slightly hazy copper with spotty white head that lasts a while.

The aroma is malty, sweet, and fruity.

The beer's flavor starts malty and mildly hoppy, then gives way to sweetness and spice, finishing mildly bitter.

Reviews on Beer Advocate are not terribly complementary, although they do rate it in the 3 to 4 out of 5 range. Reviews on Ratebeer are a little lower. While I will grant that this may not be the equal of some of the beers from actual Belgian monasteries, it's a very competent example of the Dubbel style. It's easy to drink, has a pleasant flavor overall, and gets an 8 out of 10 from me.

This review is based on a draft (pictured here) from The Daily Growler in Upper Arlington. I've also had the beer in a flip-top bottle, and found it to be just as good. I've seen it for sale at Kenny Road Market, and occasionally in other local shops. Pricing is around $7 per bomber-sized bottle.

Flavor Profile:
Sweet, Malty, Dry, Bitter, or Sour: Malty, Sweet, Spicy
Spice Level: Low
Hops Level: Low
Dominant Flavors: Malt Sweetness, Spice
ABV: 7.6%
IBU: Unknown, but I’d estimate 20’s to low 30's
My Rating: 8/10