La Trappe Dubbel 750ML

La Trappe Dubbel 750ML is a 7% ABV authentic Trappist dubbel ale from the Netherlands, bottled in a 750ml format with secondary bottle conditioning. A multiple European Beer Star Gold medalist (2017, 2018), this monk-brewed abbey ale stands among only a handful of beers worldwide bearing the certified Authentic Trappist Product seal — and one of just two produced outside of Belgium.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands  |  Style: Belgian-Style Dubbel  |  Brewery: Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven (est. 1884)

Production & Heritage

Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven has brewed within the walls of Koningshoeven Abbey near Tilburg since 1884. The monks themselves maintain hands-on, daily control of the brewing process — a commitment that briefly lapsed in the late 1990s, causing the brewery to lose its Trappist certification before regaining the Authentic Trappist Product designation in September 2005. La Trappe Dubbel is top-fermented and bottle conditioned, brewed using Munich, pale, and caramel malts alongside Hallertau Northern Brewer and Slovenian Super Steirer hops, with water drawn from five 200-meter deep wells on the abbey grounds.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dried fruit — raisins and plums — leads the nose, followed by layers of caramel and cinnamon spice. A faint, restrained hop character and a whiff of dark rum lurk beneath the sweetness.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and malt-forward, with caramel sweetness giving way to candied fruit, dates, and honey at mid-palate. Notes of fig, banana, and subtle chocolate emerge as the beer warms, balanced by gentle bitterness from the 24 IBU hop profile. There is a praline-like richness that deepens with each sip.

Finish: Surprisingly dry for a beer of this initial sweetness, the finish is moderate in length with lingering dried fruit and a hint of cocoa. A soft, quenching quality rounds things out cleanly, inviting the next pour.

How to Serve La Trappe Dubbel

Pour into a wide goblet or chalice at 10–12°C (50–54°F) to let the complex aromatics open fully. This is a contemplative beer that rewards unhurried drinking, equally satisfying on its own or alongside food.

While dubbels are not traditional cocktail bases, La Trappe Dubbel has enough character to experiment: try it in a Beer Float with dark chocolate gelato, where the dried-fruit malt stands up to the richness; use it in a Belgian Michelada with brown sugar, lime, and a pinch of cinnamon to echo the beer's spice; or substitute it for porter in a Black Velvet variation for a fruit-forward twist on the classic.

Best For

• Sharing over a slow dinner with rich, hearty autumn or winter dishes
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast exploring authentic Trappist styles
• Building a Trappist beer tasting flight from dubbel through quadrupel
• Cellaring for one to three years to track how the bottle conditioning evolves

Frequently Asked Questions

What does La Trappe Dubbel taste like? La Trappe Dubbel delivers a full, malty sweetness layered with caramel, dates, figs, and dried fruit, balanced by a surprisingly dry finish and gentle bitterness at 24 IBU.

How does La Trappe Dubbel compare to Westmalle Dubbel? La Trappe Dubbel tends to be fruitier and sweeter on the nose than Westmalle Dubbel, which is widely regarded as the benchmark for the style, first brewed in 1836. Both carry authentic Trappist certification, but La Trappe's Dutch origin and unique deep-well water source give it a distinct character from its Belgian counterpart.

Is La Trappe Dubbel good for sipping on its own? Yes — this is a contemplative beer designed to be enjoyed slowly from a goblet, with enough complexity in its dried-fruit, caramel, and spice layers to reward patient, attentive drinking at cellar temperature.

Where is La Trappe Dubbel made? La Trappe Dubbel is brewed at Bierbrouwerij De Koningshoeven, located within Koningshoeven Abbey in Berkel-Enschot near Tilburg in the southern Netherlands — one of only two certified Trappist breweries operating outside Belgium.

What foods pair well with La Trappe Dubbel? Roasted pork or duck benefits from the beer's caramel sweetness; aged Gouda mirrors its Dutch origins with complementary nutty depth; Flemish beef carbonade is a classic regional match; dark chocolate desserts echo the subtle cocoa notes; and sharp blue cheese provides a savory contrast to the malt-driven fruit character.

What sizes does La Trappe Dubbel come in? La Trappe Dubbel is widely available in the 750ml bottle as well as a smaller 330ml format.

Is La Trappe Dubbel worth the price? La Trappe Dubbel positions as an accessible entry point into the world of certified Trappist ales, offering monk-brewed authenticity and multiple international gold medals at a price point well below many limited-release Belgian Trappist counterparts.

Why La Trappe Dubbel?

La Trappe Dubbel carries back-to-back European Beer Star Gold medals in the Belgian-Style Dubbel category (2017, 2018), placing it among the most decorated dubbels in international competition. As one of only two certified Trappist breweries operating outside Belgium, De Koningshoeven occupies a singular position in the brewing world — and the monks' direct daily involvement in production is functional, not ceremonial. The 750ml bottle-conditioned format allows the beer to develop further complexity over time, rewarding those who cellar it alongside those who drink it fresh. Few beers at this level carry both the Authentic Trappist Product seal and this depth of international critical recognition.