Is it still a guilty pleasure if everyone else likes them too?

Koningshoeven Dubbel

i had to… i just HAD to review a Trappist ale one of these days, and why not for my first post in quite a while?  I'm fully aware that Belgian-style beer is the rage and that everyone who has ever drank at a bar is now familiar with the ubiquitous Chimay signs, but then again, there is reason for this love. Belgian beers are wonderfully crafted creations and the Trappist varieties are, by far, the most sought after bunch. However, I did want to mix it up a bit by choosing the odd-ball (though it is the largest) of the Trappists, Brouwerij de Koningshoeven, the only Trappist brewery outside of Belgium (its located in the Netherlands, if you were wondering). 

Upon first pouring the Koningshoeven Dubbel I was met with a deep brown brew with small (and quickly diminishing) head. The aromas were of prunes and other dark fruits with some faint spices mixed in. This is definitely a beer that tastes like it smells, with those dark fruits becoming just a bit more prominent. Upon further "tastesploration" I also picked up some mellow cherry flavors and decided that the spices I were smelling were consistent with banana bread - all in all a flavor that I heartily enjoy. This was all capped off with the light, effervescent mouthfeel that is so familiar with many Belgian-style beers.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but there is a big part of my that has always felt like dubbels are like the baby brother of Belgian Strong Dark Ales (which I absolutely LOVE). They're lower in ABV, they're more mellow in terms of the dark fruit flavors, yet they're still delicious (it is weird to say that, considering the baby brother analogy?). I know the opinion varies on this ale, but all in all… I love it. Koeningshoeven makes some wonderful beer and this is just another shining example of their brewing skill. 

QUICK TASTE

Brouwerij de Koningshoeven, La Trappe Dubbel

Berkel-Enschot, Netherlands

ABV 6.5%

Dubbel

Appearance: Dark amber brown with a 1/2 finger head

Aromatics: Banana bread, dark fruits, sweet yeasts, faint spices like cloves.  

Taste: Sweet and light on the palate, light bubbly carbonation, some cherries. The finish is bubbly, then quickly diminishes to a mild lingering taste. A slight tangy/medicinal note right before the flavor drops off to the "lingering"…. back of tongue likes it quite a bit

Notes: Overall subdued/mild mannered, but a nice beer with great complex flavors. It's also very, very drinkable, especially with the fairly low ABV

90/100