Westmalle Dubbel 11.2OZ

Westmalle Dubbel 11.2OZ is a 7% ABV bottle-conditioned Belgian Trappist dubbel brewed at Westmalle Abbey in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. Widely credited as the beer that established the modern dubbel style, this expression earned a 98 on RateBeer and a 93 on Beer Advocate — scores that place it among the most respected examples of the style in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Westmalle, Antwerp, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Dubbel (Trappist)  |  Brewery: Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Production & Heritage

The Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Westmalle has brewed beer under monastic supervision for well over a century. The monks first produced a stronger dubbel-strength beer in 1856, and then significantly reworked the recipe in 1926 by doubling the raw ingredients — that 1926 formulation remains the foundation of the Dubbel brewed today. The beer is made from water, barley malt, hops, yeast, and dark sugar syrup, then undergoes re-fermentation in the bottle, producing a living beer with natural carbonation and complexity that continues to develop with age. As one of only a handful of Authentic Trappist Products worldwide, every step of production occurs within the abbey walls under direct oversight of the monastic community.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with rich caramel and molasses before moving into dark dried fruit — dates, raisins, and a hint of cordial cherry. Underneath, subtle notes of chocolate and soft banana-like Belgian yeast esters add depth.

Taste: The entry is velvety and malt-forward, with caramelized sugar, dark bread crust, and cassis arriving first on the palate. At mid-palate, layers of chocolate, Concord grape, and dark berries unfold alongside faint tea-like tannins and a whisper of cinnamon spice. The overall impression is rich yet remarkably balanced — sweet but never cloying, with herbal and fruity complexity woven throughout.

Finish: The finish is notably long, dry, and fresh-bitter, counterbalancing the malt sweetness with a clean, almost hoppy snap. Lingering hints of tropical fruit and cocoa fade slowly, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Westmalle Dubbel

Pour into a chalice or wide-bowled goblet at 12–14°C (54–57°F) to allow the complex aromatics to open fully; the bottle-conditioned sediment can be left behind or gently swirled into the final pour for added body. While this is fundamentally a sipping beer, the Dubbel's malt depth and moderate ABV make it surprisingly versatile. A Belgian Dubbel Float pairs vanilla ice cream with the beer's caramel and dark-fruit sweetness. In a Trappist Shandy, a small splash of fresh-squeezed blood orange juice plays off the beer's natural berry and tropical notes. For an unconventional twist, use it as the base in a Beer Flip — shaking with a whole egg and a touch of maple syrup amplifies its creamy, dessert-like qualities.

Best For

• Introducing a craft-curious friend to authentic Trappist brewing
• Pairing with a charcuterie and cheese board on a cool evening
• Adding a world-class Belgian ale to a curated beer tasting lineup
• Gifting alongside Belgian chocolates for a themed present

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Westmalle Dubbel taste like? Westmalle Dubbel delivers rich caramel, dark dried fruit, and chocolate flavors supported by a velvety malt body. The finish is distinctively long, dry, and fresh-bitter, keeping the sweetness in check.

How does Westmalle Dubbel compare to Chimay Red? Both are Trappist dubbels with deep reddish-brown color and caramel-dark fruit profiles, but Westmalle Dubbel tends toward a drier, more bitter finish, while Chimay Red (Première) leans slightly sweeter with a warming, softer close. Westmalle also scores higher on major rating platforms, with a 98 on RateBeer versus Chimay Red's generally lower marks.

Is Westmalle Dubbel good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its layered complexity and balanced structure make it one of the finest dubbels to drink on its own, ideally poured into a goblet at cellar temperature to let the aromas develop fully.

Where is Westmalle Dubbel made? Westmalle Dubbel is brewed inside the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, located in the town of Westmalle in Belgium's province of Antwerp. It carries the Authentic Trappist Product designation, meaning production is supervised by the resident monastic community.

What foods pair well with Westmalle Dubbel? Aged Gouda or Comté cheese mirrors the beer's caramel depth. Braised short ribs or Flemish beef stew (carbonade flamande) echo its malty richness. Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and dried-fruit notes. Roasted duck with a cherry glaze picks up the beer's dark berry and stone-fruit character. A simple platter of dried dates and walnuts ties directly into the Dubbel's core flavor profile.

What sizes does Westmalle Dubbel come in? Westmalle Dubbel is commonly available in the 11.2oz (330ml) bottle and is also found in 750ml bottles in some markets.

Is Westmalle Dubbel worth the price? Westmalle Dubbel positions as a premium import Trappist ale, yet it remains remarkably accessible relative to other Authentic Trappist Products. Given its critical acclaim — a 98 on RateBeer and 93 on Beer Advocate — and its historical significance as the archetype of the dubbel style, it represents strong value within the specialty beer category.

Why Westmalle Dubbel?

Few beers can claim to have defined an entire style, but Westmalle Dubbel's 1926 recipe literally set the template that every Belgian dubbel since has followed. The bottle-conditioning process adds a dimension of texture and evolving complexity that pasteurized or force-carbonated alternatives simply cannot replicate. Its combined scores — 98 on RateBeer, 93 on Beer Advocate, and 91 from Craft Beer & Brewing — reflect near-unanimous critical respect across decades, not a single flash-in-the-pan review. For anyone serious about understanding Belgian brewing at its most authentic, this is not a curiosity or a collector's item — it is the reference point.