Beer Rant

A while ago I was asked by a friend to identify where a couple of beers may be found. One of those beers was St. Bernardus Prior 8 Watou. As I was strolling the isles of Tacoma Boys in Puyallup I happened to spy the same particular ale in question. I've had other ales by this Flemish brewery, but never this one specifically I believe (I've tried alot of beer, by the nature of the beast I'm not always remembering everything anymore). The name itself might not give it away to most readers, but this is a Belgian Dubbel ale. These and Grand Cru's are typically my favorites from one of mainland Europe's more spritely nations, the reason being simply they are darker style ales which are right up my alley when it comes to beer sampling. A tripel will tend to have a more golden finish once poured into the glass, and usually a little stronger Belgian yeast taste to it. All Belgian ales seemingly have the flavor of this very distinct yeast, and this Dubbel is no exception. However, what makes it different is a darker flavor that yields a stronger type of sweetness typical of higher alcohol ales that let the natural sugar flavors take a prominent role in the flavor. Though I can't be one hundred percent certain, on the aftertaste I can actually get a hint of nice malty flavor that unfortunately lacks in many Belgian ales, or fortunately I guess from whatever flavor standpoint one is seemingly coming from. The taste is not a sweet one to be sure, but nothing like the intensity of a barleywine, or similar strong type ale. It is a smooth sweetness made to be sweet and pleasureable, but not overwhelming, something I guess hundreds of years of brewing experience may learn to exact into a brewing science. Carbonated? You know it, as per just about every style belgian ale this one is definitely well carbonated. I will say though it was not a suffocating experience where some ales seem to think you would enjoy breathing the damn thing more than drinking it. For people who do not have a reflux problem like myself this will make a very well balanced carbonated brew. It is not as fragrant as many other belgian ales, but it did taste good out of two different style glasses I tried. For an experience with a nice head piece, I would go with a kwak style glass, for a more standard affair just a regular snifter glass will yield just about the same amount of fragrances, though not as extreme as the kwak style glass. Of many of the belgian ales I've tried this is definitely one of the better ones, extemely well-rounded, and an overall sensual drinking experience. Drinking this did let me admire how much the American Dubbel's are catching up, though not as well rounded some, example Pike, are getting very close to this type of finish and fit. Much like the history of our country it gets the job done, but definitely not as pretty. I will say though that the monk on the label looks like it was done in a very rockwellian style, at least one feature they may have stolen from us. In any case this is definitely a beer worth tipping back and having a couple of rounds, so praise the Flemish and drink up this wonderful Dubbel livation.