Latest Reviews

Double Dry Hopped pseudoSue
Toppling Goliath
Modus Vivendi
Wild Beer Co.
Spaceman
Brewfist

Recent Articles

Shameless
Craft brewer sellouts become as tone-deaf and underhanded as their new overlords. Great Taste Eve
Check out the burgeoning Madison beer scene the night before the best fest in country. Good Beer Makes Good Conversation
The effects of drinking beer worth talking about. The Beers of Walmart
The largest retailer in the world now has its own line of beers. Our Take on the Lagunitas-Heineken Deal
Fuck Lagunitas. archives »

Beer Reviews

Dubbel

Grimbergen
Grimbergen
Belgium
http://www.grimbergenbier.be/

Style: Abbey Dubbel
ABV: 6.5%

Rings’s Rating:
   (Outstanding within its style.)


Comments:
Well, I’m hoping to get back in the saddle here as I’ve been away from actually writing about beer, even though I’ve managed to keep the sampling pace going. While I’ll throw a few of our standard domestics to the back of the line during International Month here at the ‘Dorks Café, I certainly shall not be left to want for interesting fare.

I recently had the chance to enjoy a Grimbergen Double Abbey, a lovely treat from the Flemish town of the same name, just north of Brussels. Its history dates back to 1128 at the abbey that Saint Norbert of Xanten (I’ve even been to Xanten—a tourist trap of “Roman” ruins if there ever was one) built for Premostratensian Communists of the day—a communal society in the area, which became famous for their hospitality. Now owned by the Alken Maes group (and unfortunately no longer brewed at the abbey), they churn out a half dozen traditional brews of ascending color and strength.

The Double—or Dubbel—is their brown ale, checking in at 6.5 percent ABV. It pours deep brown with low carbonation and a soft body. The nose opens with a maple sweetness and hints of a young yeast, which is rather surprising considering the travel time. The glass nonetheless laces wonderfully on the way down as the soft, white head keeps count to the final sip.

This one is better than most, particulary as an import, and earns a solid four mugs says me.

Reviewed by Rings on February 14, 2011.

Drinkin’ And Thinkin’

Beer Dorks News

Want to know how healthy the craft beer industry is? As always, look to Portland. Craft pioneer Bridgeport announces sudden closure, adding to a growing list of PDX casualties. Did Anheuser-Busch Chicago offer their shit beer to Cody Parkey before his missed field goal? Because that may explain why he "accidentally" biffed it. Chicago now has the most breweries of any city in the country. Other things Chicago has the most of: murders, mobsters, and Ditkas. Trying to spin it positive, BA releases end of year graphic. Only 5% growth in the craft sector when nearly 1000 new breweries opened? That's a collapse waiting to happen. R.I.P. Tallgrass... another casualty as the regional/national craft beer market continues to get squeezed. Wait... Constellation Brands cut all of the Ballast Point and Funky Buddha sales staff? They merged it with their Corona/Modelo staff?? We're SHOCKED!!! Pizza Beer founder crying about failure of company, blames everyone else. Reminder, the beer tasted like vomit. Try having better ideas or making better products so you're not a failure. It's Bud Light so doesn't really matter, but we expect this beer to be sitting around for awhile. Indiana brewery to open with controversial beer names to "get the conversation going". Translation: taking advantage of serious issues for free publicity. Hundreds of amazing beers in Wisconsin and the Cubs took back the one everyone drinks just because it exists and people have heard of it. How fitting...