About This Beer
Westmalle Dubbel 33cl 7% is an authentic Belgian Trappist beer brewed at the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Westmalle, near Antwerp. Renowned for its rich malt character, reddish-brown appearance and complex fermentation aromas, it is one of the most influential examples of the Belgian Dubbel style.
While Westmalle Tripel is celebrated for its golden colour, fruity character and dry bitterness, Westmalle Dubbel offers a darker, more malt-focused drinking experience.
Its flavour combines caramel, toasted malt, dark fruit and gentle spice, supported by lively carbonation and a balanced finish.
The modern Westmalle Dubbel recipe dates back to 1926, when the monks developed a stronger interpretation of their original dark beer.
This marked an important development in the brewery's history and helped establish the characteristics now associated with the Belgian Dubbel style.
Today, Westmalle Dubbel remains a benchmark for traditional Belgian dark ales.
At 7% ABV, it offers substantial flavour without reaching the strength of many Belgian quadrupels or stronger dark ales.
The beer pours a deep reddish-brown colour, with an attractive cream-coloured head that provides contrast to the darker beer beneath.
Its appearance reflects the malt-led character that distinguishes it from pale Belgian ales.
The aroma is complex and inviting.
Caramel and toasted malt provide a rich foundation, while fruity fermentation notes introduce impressions of dark fruit and gentle spice.
These characteristics combine to create a beer that is expressive without relying on intense hop aromas.
On the palate, Westmalle Dubbel offers a rounded combination of malt sweetness, caramel and subtle roasted flavours.
Hints of chocolate and dark fruit add complexity, while gentle bitterness provides balance.
The finish is relatively dry for a beer with such a rich malt profile, preventing the sweetness from becoming overwhelming.
This balance is one of the defining qualities of a well-made Belgian Dubbel.
Westmalle Dubbel undergoes top fermentation followed by secondary fermentation in the bottle.
This traditional bottle-conditioning process contributes natural carbonation and allows the beer's character to develop after packaging.
The lively carbonation also helps balance the beer's fuller malt profile.
Although Westmalle Dubbel is often described as rich and warming, its 7% ABV and balanced finish make it particularly versatile alongside food.
It works well with roasted meats, slow-cooked dishes, mature cheeses and savoury vegetarian meals.
The 33cl bottle is an ideal format for exploring this classic Trappist beer.
It also provides an excellent opportunity to compare Westmalle Dubbel with Westmalle Tripel, allowing customers to appreciate two very different styles from the same abbey.
Where Tripel emphasises golden malt, fruity fermentation and pronounced hop bitterness, Dubbel focuses on darker malt character, caramel and richer fruit impressions.
For customers who enjoy traditional Belgian beer, Westmalle Dubbel offers an important introduction to the darker side of Trappist brewing.
Explore our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection for more authentic Belgian ales.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep reddish-brown with a generous, creamy, cream-coloured head and lively carbonation.
Aroma: Caramel, toasted malt, dark fruit and gentle spice, with subtle fermentation-derived complexity.
Taste: Rich malt character with caramel, toasted bread, hints of chocolate and dark fruit, balanced by gentle bitterness and a relatively dry finish.
Mouthfeel: Rounded and moderately full-bodied, with lively carbonation that balances the malt sweetness and a smooth, gently warming finish.
About the Brewery
Westmalle Brewery is located within the Abbey of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Westmalle, near Antwerp in Belgium.
The abbey is home to a community of Trappist monks whose brewing traditions date back to 1836.
Beer production originally served the needs of the monastic community, reflecting the Trappist commitment to prayer, work and self-sufficiency.
As the abbey developed, brewing became an important means of supporting the monastery and its activities.
Westmalle began occasionally selling beer at the abbey gate in 1856, gradually establishing a wider reputation for its brewing.
In 1921, the monks began distributing their beer through beer merchants, helping introduce Westmalle Trappist ales to a broader audience.
The brewery's history is closely connected with the development of two influential Belgian beer styles.
In 1926, the monks introduced a stronger version of their original dark beer, establishing the modern Westmalle Dubbel.
This beer became an important reference point for the Belgian Dubbel style, recognised for its darker appearance, rich malt character and complex fermentation profile.
In 1934, the brewery introduced Westmalle Tripel to celebrate the opening of a new brewing hall.
The golden Tripel subsequently became one of the most influential beers in Belgian brewing history.
Together, Dubbel and Tripel demonstrate the contrasting approaches to brewing that can emerge from the same monastery.
Westmalle Dubbel places greater emphasis on darker malt character, while Tripel combines a golden appearance with expressive fruitiness and hop bitterness.
Both beers are produced using traditional top fermentation and secondary fermentation in the bottle.
This approach contributes to their natural carbonation and distinctive flavour profiles.
Westmalle continues to brew within the abbey grounds under the supervision of the monastic community.
Its beers carry the Authentic Trappist Product designation, reflecting the requirements associated with production within a Trappist monastery and the use of revenue to support the community and charitable purposes.
This designation distinguishes authentic Trappist beers from commercial products that simply use abbey-inspired names or imagery.
The brewery also produces Westmalle Extra, a lighter-strength beer that offers another interpretation of the abbey's brewing traditions.
Westmalle's continued focus on a relatively small selection of established beers reflects its commitment to preserving the character and quality of its brewing.
For customers interested in Belgian brewing heritage, Westmalle Dubbel is particularly significant because of its role in defining the modern Dubbel style.
It offers a direct connection to the development of Belgian Trappist brewing and remains a reference point for brewers producing darker Belgian ales around the world.
Discover more traditional Belgian beers in our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
Food Pairings
Westmalle Dubbel is particularly well suited to rich savoury dishes that complement its caramel, toasted malt and dark fruit character.
Its rounded body and lively carbonation make it versatile alongside roasted meats, slow-cooked dishes and mature cheeses.
Slow-cooked beef is an excellent pairing.
Braised beef cheeks, beef short ribs and rich beef stews develop deep savoury flavours that complement the beer's darker malt profile.
The caramelised flavours of onions and roasted vegetables echo the beer's caramel character, while its carbonation helps balance the richness of the dish.
Roast pork is another attractive choice.
Pork shoulder, pork belly and grilled pork chops work well with the beer's malt sweetness and gentle bitterness.
A mustard-based sauce can provide contrast to its rounded flavour, while apple-based accompaniments complement its fruity fermentation notes.
Westmalle Dubbel is also well suited to game.
Roast venison or a rich game stew can stand up to the beer's flavour without overwhelming it.
The beer's dark fruit impressions work particularly well with savoury sauces featuring red wine, herbs or roasted vegetables.
For cheese, consider aged Gouda, Comté and mature Cheddar.
Their nutty and savoury flavours complement the beer's caramel malt character.
Blue cheeses provide a more adventurous pairing, with their saltiness contrasting against the beer's sweetness.
Westmalle Abbey also has its own cheesemaking tradition, making Trappist cheese a particularly fitting accompaniment.
Vegetarian dishes can work equally well.
Mushroom risotto, roasted aubergine and lentil stew provide earthy, savoury flavours that complement the beer's darker malt profile.
A mushroom and caramelised onion tart is another excellent option, bringing together flavours that echo the beer's toasted and caramel notes.
Westmalle Dubbel can also accompany moderately spiced dishes.
Its malt sweetness complements aromatic spices, although very hot chilli may make the alcohol warmth more noticeable.
For a simple tasting platter, combine mature cheese, savoury crackers, roasted nuts and charcuterie.
The beer's caramel and dark fruit notes provide an interesting contrast to salty and savoury foods.
Desserts can also work well, particularly those featuring caramel, nuts or chocolate.
A dark chocolate tart, chocolate brownies or caramel-based dessert can complement the beer's malt character.
Choose desserts with enough richness to stand alongside the beer without overwhelming its more delicate fermentation notes.
Serve Westmalle Dubbel in a clean Belgian chalice or suitable stemmed beer glass, allowing room for its generous head.
A moderately chilled serving temperature will help retain its refreshing character while allowing the caramel, fruit and spice aromas to develop.
Because the beer undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, some yeast sediment may be present.
Pour carefully if you prefer a clearer appearance, or explore the yeast character separately.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Westmalle Dubbel 33cl, Westmalle Tripel is the natural next beer to explore.
Both are authentic Trappist beers from the same abbey, but they offer very different flavour profiles.
Westmalle Dubbel focuses on darker malt, caramel and rich fruit characteristics, while Tripel is golden, fruitier and more hop-forward, with a long, dry finish.
For another darker Belgian ale, explore Delirium Nocturnum 33cl.
Nocturnum offers a stronger, richer interpretation of Belgian dark ale, with caramel, chocolate and roasted malt characteristics.
Chimay Red is another excellent beer to explore for customers who enjoy traditional Belgian Dubbel-style ales.
Its dark malt character and fruity fermentation profile provide an interesting comparison with Westmalle Dubbel.
For a stronger Trappist beer, consider Rochefort 8 or Rochefort 10, which offer greater alcoholic strength and richer dark fruit characteristics.
You can also browse our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection for more traditional Belgian ales, dark beers and speciality releases.
Whether you're discovering Belgian Dubbel for the first time or returning to one of the style's most influential examples, Westmalle Dubbel 33cl offers an authentic combination of Trappist brewing heritage, rich malt character, caramel, dark fruit and balanced bitterness.
Shop the best of craft beer Ireland and from around the world online with TheCru.ie or in our Dublin craft beer store, Carry Out Tyrrelstown in Dublin 15