Duvel

Brewed By: Duvel Moortgat in Breendonk-Puurs, Belgium

Purchased: Single bottle (11.2oz) from a 4-pack bought at Binny's in Illinois; 2011

Style/ABV: Belgian Strong Ale, 8.5%

 

I love Duvel. I already know I love Duvel, I drink it all the time. You should love Duvel too, but in case you have never had the opportunity to try this wonderful beverage, here is a little history, and a review.

Duvel Moortgat was founded in 1871 by Jan-Leonard Moortgat in Belgium. Duvel Moortgat was one of over 3,000 breweries operating in Belgium at the time, so it probably did not start out as a flagship brewery by any means. Fortunately, founder Jan-Leonard liked to experiment, and he became known around his home town for his top-fermented beers. During World War I, Belgium came into contact with England and English beer. Inspired by these English beers, Jan-Leonard's sons decided to brew a beer based on the English styles of beer. Jan-Leonard's son Albert traveled to the UK to get the yeast for the beer, and he worked with his brother Victor to create the Duvel recipe.

The Moortgats originaly named the beer "Victory Ale" to commemorate the end of World War I. However, during a tasting session for locals, the shoemaker, Mr. Van De Wouwer, was amazed at how strong the beer was (8.5%) and stated: "This is a real Duvel." Duvel meaning 'devil,' of course. Since 1923 onwards, the beer has been branded and dubbed Duvel. Duvel is currently the brewery's flagship beer, and it is one of the most popular and well known Belgian beers.

Duvel is considered to be the standard Belgian Strong Ale, and the framework upon which the style has grown from. The style is known for its use of Pilsner malts, white sugar, and European hops (Saaz hops and Styrian Goldings are used in Duvel); the yeast strain used in Duvel comes from the same Scottish yeast strain bought by Albert Moortgat when he was pioneering the beer. You can read more about Duvel HERE, or check out their website HERE.

 

This is truly a remarkable beer, and it has really set the tone for the style. Belgian Strong Ales are known to be big beers, and they often get labeled or branded in a way to warn people of the big ABV. "Delirium Tremens" is another beer that comes to mind. Duvel laid down the framework, but how awesome is this beer?

 

*    *    *    *    *    *

 

Guinness is famous for its pour thanks to advertising, advertising, and more advertising. Duvel is also famous for its pour, but you may not have heard about that. The bottle says "pour unhurriedly," and the Duvel glass is fucking huge. The reason for these things is because Duvel yields a huge head. So do take your time pouring it, and do pour it into a large tulip glass or chalice glass. 

 

Duvel

Duvel pours with a giant, but variable, white head. The head is white, foamy, super bubbly, and variable in size. I got four fingers of head. If you pour too fast, you will get ALL head. If you control your pour, you can probably get it down to one or two fingers. This is a golden-yellow, pale beer. There is a storm of carbonation rising from the etched "D" on the bottom of my Duvel glass. Pour this beer into a glass with laser etching, it is worth it to see the storm of carbonation. This beer is super effervescent, super carbonated, and looks amazing.

Tons of fruitiness, sugar, clean and sweet malts, and some alcohol dominate the nose. This is just an amazing smelling beer, with huge Pils malts, hints of sweet grain, soft yeasts that almost approach biscuit-like, clean alcohol, white sugar, apples, pears, and berries. There are also some earthy and spicy phenols: pepper or coriander.

The taste is smooth, carbonated, and malty. You get big Pils malts right away with slight tugs of grain and even that subtle pull towards biscuit. You get some slight bitter from the hops, and huge bright explosions of apple and pear. There is quite a bit of pepper and white sugar, and a little alcohol warming on the back end. Even with half my glass gone, there is still a storm of carbonation rising from the middle, and still 2+ centimeters of foamy head sitting on top of the beer. I'm picking up some clove now too, and maybe a touch of lemon-grass.

This is really bold, but it also is very smooth and refined. I would say this is medium-full, but the carbonation really curbs the 8.5% ABV. This is refreshing despite finishing slightly grainy and dry. You could easily drink a bomber of this stuff, but don't drink it too fast: it will kick your ass! The front of the palate is smooth carbonation, Pils malts and fruit, and some spice; this rolls into big fruits, Belgian yeasts, biscuity notes, clove and pepper; the back end is lingering fruit, grain from the Pilsner malts, and alcohol warming. This finishes slightly dry. The palate depth is outstanding, and this is moderately to highly complex.

 

Rating: Divine Brew

Score: 95%

 

Approachable, refined, mature, drinkable...8.5%, so it sneaks up on you and kicks your ass. This is such a clean, refreshing, and BIG beer. I know there are more interesting or developed Belgian Strong Ales out there, but this is such an easy-to-find, delicious beer. This is one of my go-to beers, a beer you always want on hand. You can cellar this beer, you can drink it fresh, you can pair it with just about EVERYTHING.

Duvel isn't just a beer. It is a beer epiphany. If you haven't had Duvel, get it now. I'm not suggesting that either. If you want to get "into" craft or Belgian beer, this should be on the top of your list.

As for me...I will continue to drink this beer. This is one of my favorites, by far. Not because it is necessarily the most unique or fancy Belgian Strong Ale, but because it is refined, mature, drinkable, approachable, accessible (you can get it at Jewel-Osco o_O), and defining. Enjoy your Duvel. Cheers.