Bruin – Achel

Achel Bruin is a  Belgian “Dubbel” brewed by the Belgian Trappist brewery Achel. Achel is the youngest (opened in 1998) and smallest of the seven Trappist breweries. The others are: Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren, and Koningshoeven. All but Koningshoeven are Belgian, Koningshoeven is Dutch. In order to be a Trappist brewery, brewing must be done or overseen by Trappist monks. You can spot a true Trappist beer by locating the official “Authentic Trappist Product” logo. Only true Trappist products can display this logo.

According to Wikipedia, to display the Trappist logo requires the following criteria:

– the beer must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist abbey, by or under the supervision of monks

– the beer is brewed for the purpose of supporting the monastic community, and is not for profit

The “dubbel” style is known for being dark and fruity, with a caramel sweetness. It is named “dubbel” or double, as it often requires twice the amount of malt/sugar as a regular strength beer.

Finally I’m getting a chance to try a beer from Achel. I have previously tried a beer from each of the other Trappist breweries, and now I get to put my Achel chalice to use. Achel Bruin pours a murky brownish red with a large frothy head. The head eventually recedes to a thin ring that leaves some nice lacing. The aroma is sweet, with caramel, dark fruits and candy. There is a little bit of spiciness there too. The taste is similar with a caramel/toffee sweetness right up front, with some phenolic spiciness in the middle, leading to a drier, slightly metallic finish. Carbonation is high, typical of Belgian ales. No sign of hops in this one, other than to help dry it out at the end. The 8% abv is only slightly noticeable and only as the beer warms. This is a really tasty beer, and not so sweet that I couldn’t have a second one immediately after the first.

I’ll save the few I have left since it’s not available at the LCBO. I got my hands on this one through a private order. I’m giving this beer a solid A-, and only because I have had a few dubbels that I have been blown away by (Westvleteren 8 and St. Bernardus Prior). Otherwise, this would have scored higher. Awesome beer! Try it if you get the chance.