Dubbel
Encyclopedia
The dubbel is a Belgian Trappist beer
naming convention. The origin of the dubbel was a beer brewed in the Trappist
Abbey of Westmalle
in 1856. The abbey had, since 10 December 1836, brewed a witbier that was quite sweet and light in alcohol for consumption by the paters. The new beer, however, was a strong version of a brown beer. In 1926, the formulation was changed and it became even stronger. The first written record of its sale by the abbey was on 1 June 1861. Following World War Two, abbey beers became popular in Belgium and the name "dubbel" was used by several breweries for commercial purposes.
Westmalle Dubbel was imitated by other breweries, Trappist and secular, Belgian and worldwide, leading to
the emergence of a style. Dubbels are now understood to be a fairly strong (6%-8% ABV) brown ale
, with understated bitterness, fairly heavy body, and a pronounced fruitiness and cereal character.
Chimay
Red/Premiere, Koningshoeven/La Trappe
Dubbel and Achel 8 Bruin are examples from Trappist breweries. Affligem
and Grimbergen
are Belgian abbey breweries that produce dubbels.
Ommegang
and New Belgium
's Abbey Ale are examples from the USA.
Trappist beer
A Trappist beer is a beer brewed by or under control of Trappist monks. There are a total of 174 Trappist monasteries worldwide ; only seven produce Trappist beer and are authorized to label their beers with the Authentic Trappist Product logo that indicates a compliance to the various rules of...
naming convention. The origin of the dubbel was a beer brewed in the Trappist
Trappists
The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance , or Trappists, is a Roman Catholic religious order of cloistered contemplative monks who follow the Rule of St. Benedict...
Abbey of Westmalle
Westmalle Abbey
The Trappist Abbey of Westmalle or Abdij van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van het Heilig Hart , which belongs to the Cistercians of Strict Observance, is located in Westmalle , in the Campine region of the province of Antwerp .The abbey was founded in 1794, but the community was not elevated to the rank of...
in 1856. The abbey had, since 10 December 1836, brewed a witbier that was quite sweet and light in alcohol for consumption by the paters. The new beer, however, was a strong version of a brown beer. In 1926, the formulation was changed and it became even stronger. The first written record of its sale by the abbey was on 1 June 1861. Following World War Two, abbey beers became popular in Belgium and the name "dubbel" was used by several breweries for commercial purposes.
Westmalle Dubbel was imitated by other breweries, Trappist and secular, Belgian and worldwide, leading to
the emergence of a style. Dubbels are now understood to be a fairly strong (6%-8% ABV) brown ale
Brown ale
Brown ale is a style of beer with a dark amber or brown colour. The term was first used by London brewers in the late 17th century to describe their products, such as mild ale, though the term had a rather different meaning than it does today...
, with understated bitterness, fairly heavy body, and a pronounced fruitiness and cereal character.
Chimay
Chimay
Chimay a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. On January 1, 2006, Chimay had a total population of 9,774. The total area is 197.10 km² which gives a population density of 50 inhabitants per km²...
Red/Premiere, Koningshoeven/La Trappe
De Koningshoeven Brewery
De Koningshoeven Brewery is a Dutch Trappist brewery founded in 1884 within the walls of the abbey Onze Lieve Vrouw van Koningshoeven in Berkel-Enschot .- History :...
Dubbel and Achel 8 Bruin are examples from Trappist breweries. Affligem
Affligem
Affligem is a municipality located some west-north-west of Brussels in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, not far from the town of Aalst and the important railway junction of Denderleeuw....
and Grimbergen
Grimbergen
Grimbergen is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the towns of Beigem, Grimbergen, Humbeek and Strombeek-Bever. On January 1, 2006 Grimbergen had a total population of 33,965. The total area is...
are Belgian abbey breweries that produce dubbels.
Ommegang
Ommegang
Ommegang is the generic name for various medieval pageants celebrated in Belgium, in the Netherlands, and in northern France....
and New Belgium
New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company is a regional brewery located in Fort Collins, Colorado. It opened in 1991 after Jeff Lebesch, the brewery's founder, took his home-brewing passion commercial. In 2009, it produced over 582,000 barrels of its various labels...
's Abbey Ale are examples from the USA.