Stewarts Abbey Hoffman 2.5

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 8

Poured an amber color, with a small, off white head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of caramel malts, dried fruits, vanilla, yeast, and light alcohol. Taste of dried fruits, rather vinuous, with some green apple, more caramel, candy sugar, nuts, vanilla, and no alcohol noticed in the taste.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

I think the previous Stumblin' Monk killed eaglefan538's tastebuds a little. This was a fine dubbel (two, two and a half...whatever it takes). Aroma was sweet candied sugar and dark fruits. As all the beers at Stewarts, served WAY too cold, but aroma and flavor both got richer and stronger as it warmed in my hands. Real nice balance of sugar, dark fruits and caramel to have a rich, complex taste without being too sweet. This is up there in the same league with the best dubbels I've had.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 6 | Overall: 7

As with the Stumblin Monk, this one was served really cold and took some time to warm up. The pour was nice caramel-ruby brownish with a very nice pillowy head. The aroma was of sharp alcohol and hard to pick up otherwise (even upon warming?). The flavor was of caramel type malts, maybe a hint of chocolate. The dark fruits did not impress and the alcohol overwhelmed. This one needed a bit more time in conditioning, although it was a nice stateside local Belgian. Alcohol and amber candi sugar (and a touch of caramel) were the feature flavors, though: simply not complex enough relative to other dubbels).