Bornem Double: Review

Van Steenberge

Ertvelde, Belgium

Globalbeer.com

8% abv

11.2oz bottle

The Global Beer website is worth a visit.

Looking for a Christmas gift for that beer drinker.  Pickup this six pack variety pack by Van Steenberge. 

I reviewed this beer back in 2010 and thought it was ok to good.  This bottle does have a new label since that last review of mine. 

Appearance: dark brown body, as brown as my leather chair in the background, deep mahogany highlights; a creamy 2 finger light tan head that leaves plenty of lacing on the glass

Aroma: nothing special here; caramel and light toasted malts

Flavors: following the nose, dark caramel and light sweet toasted malts; sweet raisins and fig; with a touch of hoppy bitterness on the finish;

Mouthfeel: satin like feel and the fine effervescence adds to the experience; light toasted malts; light-moderate sweet dark fruits; medium body; easy to drink;

To the Point: nothing special overall but, damn I like; pleasing to drink because of its simplicity; sometimes those double abbey ales get too sweet and cloying;

For some reason this is an easy one to overlook.  I have to admit that I forgot about this ale.  I think I’ll have to buy a couple of four packs so I can enjoy this ale with a fine cigar.

Pair this with a cigar that has a coffee and earthy profile.  Tonight I am enjoying this one with a Camacho 6/60 Triple Maduro Cigar.

Bornem Double Abbey Ale and Hoyo de Monterrey Sultan Double Maduro Cigar

After a summer of wheat beers, pilsners and others of course, it is time to prepare the palate for some fuller strength beers and the Bornem Double Abbey Ale is just that beer to sweeten the palate and prepare for the fall and winter months ahead.

The Bornem Double greets the nose with its dark fruit, caramel and malty aromas. The taste also has that caramel note along with other malty sweetness. The carbonation from this double ale dances across the tongue. Right off the bat I am thinking of a 5.5 strength rating because of the variety of flavors and the mild tartness on the mouthfeel.

I was thinking what goes good with caramel and sweet malty notes but, coffee and some earthy notes. I go to the humidor and grab my old time favorite the Hoyo de Monterrey Sultan Double Maduro Cigar. This 7.2 x 54 big boy should do the trick. The Hoyo line-up is known as the “espresso of cigars.”

I rate this Sultan a 6.5 on my strength scale and the point system works while only moving one point to the stronger side of the ale. During the pairing the Hoyo with its earthy coffee and slight mocha notes tames the sweetness of the ale while I still enjoy the sweet caramel and slight bitterness. The effervescence still plays on while I finish the 750 ml bottle of Bornem Double Abbey Ale.

The sun sets as I finish my last few sips of this ale and my last few puffs of the Sultan. So, I have to say, softly, as I leave you good ol’ summer of 2010, ‘this bottle of Bornem Double Abbey Ale has me ready for the rest of 2010.’