The Beer Critic Beer reviews for beer enthusiasts.
Brewery Website: http://www.bluemoonbrewingcompany.com/
Type of Beer: Dubbel
Alcohol Content: 5.6%
Beer Review –
Appearance: This Abby ale pours a crystal clear amber with a handsome off-white, two-finger, creamy head. Sadly this good looking head didn’t stick around very long and neither did it’s lacing. The head fizzled down to a film leaving behind barely any lacing.
Smell: The smell is actually quite nice. There are the some dark sugar and toasted malt scents that really try their best to push through but they end up being watery and light. There is some grain and husk smell that comes across as grainy and bread-like. Overall is a very sweet smelling beer with a subtle whiff of phenol alchohol that comes through at the end.
Initial Taste: Candied sugar and sweet, toasted malts make up a predominant amount of the flavor. While it’s very sweet it’s still a very thin, watered down flavor. There is some bready-malts that come through on the end but it’s just not give this beer any sort of body. There is pretty much zero hop bitterness or taste. Which is would have really helped cut through the heavy sweetness of this beer. The finish is muddy and malty with a hint of alcohol.
Thoughts: Before I started drinking craft beer I always looked forward to Blue Moon’s winter selection (previously known as Full Moon). It’s a great beer for people who are just starting to get acquainted with flavorful beers. However when someone who has had a real Belgian Dubbel will quickly put this beer aside as a watered down macro version of a great beer style. Which of course, being made by Coors, is not surprising. There are traits of a Belgian Dubbel but it’s just much too thin and flat to really compete. I recommend this to new beer drinkers who haven’t become accustomed to craft beer or Belgian style ales. Everyone else – save your money and time and stick with the real thing. Cheers.
youse guys are such beer snobs… it’s not wine, it’s beer( ale, really)… pretty darn good too !!! go take a bath in Sam Adams and knock the snob off of ya !! Blue moon Winter Abbey is a darn good ale !!!
Hey Rob, thanks for the comment! This is why the world of craft beer is so great. People have many different tastes and what tastes good to one person may not to another. You have to love it. I’m thrilled that you like the beer and recommend trying the many other winter/christmas ales that are out there. I highly recommend Anchor Steam’s Christmas Ale…yum. Cheers and happy beer tasting this winter.
I thought the taste was great and couldn’t get enough!
Good to see writers responding tactly and politely! I’ve had this beer and like it but am intrigued by Belgian Dubbels. Any suggestions? Only other one I’ve heard of is Chimay
I’m curious to Stephen’s question as well. I just finished my first Blue Moon Winter Abbey Ale, and I was quite impressed. I’d love to hear of some of these Belgian Dubbels you speak of.
@Stephen & @Matt
Hey guys thanks for posting. So you like the Belgian Dubbels eh? I don’t blame you. They are some of the highest rated and oldest beers available (Belgian beers date back the 1830’s!). Got to give it to those monks in Belgium…they really know how to brew a beer. Ok, so suggestions…well if you like Dubbels then you can not go wrong with St. Bernardus. Everything I’ve had from them has been fantastic. I also highly recommend Ommegang which is actually brewed right here in the good ole US of A. Other Dubbels of note are the Ovila Abbey Dubbel
by Sierra Nevada and the Abbey Belgian Style Ale by New Belgium Brewing. If you get a chance to check these out let us know what you thought. Cheers!
My husband and I stopped at buffalo wild wings in Grand Rapids Mi. he ordered the winter abbey and was ask if he would like the twist of cinnimon and b. sugar. It was really good. I am not a beer drinker but I like it. I bought a 12 and can’t seem to get the right taste. Any suggestions? it was really good. think im missing somthin’
I had to do a double take when I saw the name of this beer. I have noticed Blue Moon had seasonal beers, but I am surprised that Coors is brewing a Belgian Dubbel.
I had this at Applebees and the bartender dipped the glass’s rim with chocolate. It was love at first taste…my new favorite beer !
@Nan Dipped in CHOCOLATE! Now that’s a way to serve a beer! I wonder if that is just an Applebees thing or just that bartender.
The chocolate rim is great! Where I work, we mix Ghiradelli White & Dark Chocolate together for the rim. Accentuates similar notes in the beer which usually are less prominent because it’s a lighter style Belgian Dubbel. It’s popular! We also have been experimenting with “beertails”- where we use draught beer in mixed drinks. Takes craft beers to a whole new level of possibilities… We build off the flavor profile of the beer first & design the drink to feature the beer. Cheers!
I have a rather sophisticated palate when it comes to craft and micro brews. I just want to say that the Winter Abbey is one of my favorites-and I’m no beginner! I like the sweet malty taste and finish!