Being we are having a very Duvel week, I figured I would continue with a review of the original duvel. While I had admittedly not tried this beer in some time – the Duvel Green event gave me the welcome kick in the ass to revisit the original.
I have no idea why I don’t go-to this beer more often. Probably because there are so many new beers coming at me now that I tend to shy away from those that I have tried before. That’s a shame, especially in a case like this, where it keeps me away from an amazing beer.
The bottled Duvel is a Belgian Strong by definition – which is another one of those beer style names that goes above and beyond to state the obvious. Duvel is packaged in a unique bottle and served in a custom oversized tulip glass – scoring them serious points for packaging and sexiness. Both are the perfect compliment for the kickass beer they contain.
The brew itself is malty, spicy and sweet. incredibly drinkable, just shy of a session beer. Crazy carbonation from the re fermentation in the bottle creates a giant head. Much like mine.
Killer dry finish and a great belgian-y aftertaste round out this awesome beer. This is certainly one that I will be back for. I am glad that the introduction of the new brew brought this old school favorite back to my radar. I am in good company when I say that this is one hell of a beer – Drink it.
In this video we take a trip out to the amazing Sunset Grill and Tap in Allston, MA for the official US launch of Duvel Green. This is the first time duvel has ever been available outside of the bottle and it is available in pubs right now. Duvel is a great bottled beer that has been around for a long time, with the unfortunate effect being that it has almost been forgotten by some (been there done that). So the Duvel Green brings a welcome reintroduction to this brand.
In this episode we get to chat with Simon Thorpe, President & CEO of Duvel. We also chat with Jake Feltenberger, Marketing Manager for Duvel USA/Ommegang Brewery and Marc Kadish President, Chef and Cellar Master of the Sunset Grill. What a great group of guys. It was certainly a fun night and one delicious beer. You can see Tim’s Duvel Green review here.
Be sure to try the Duvel Green and keep watching here for the beer. Cheers!
This killer image from beerlens.com, which is why it doesn't suck
So what makes this duvel Green? I actually wish they hadn’t named it “Green” as it gives the impression that they are just jumping on the “green” bandwagon like so many others. Which is a shame becasue in all honesty, this beer is awesome.
Of course, I am biased here as I tend to love Ommegang’s beers and their Hennepin is one of my all time favorites. (For those who don’t know, Duvel owns the Ommegang brewery. Duvel is brewed in Belgium, Ommegang is brewed in New York).
This draft version of the traditional Duvel bottled beer bares a resemblance to the Hennepin but is somewhat (frighteningly) more drinkable. I say frighteningly as it still comes in around 7% abv, but doesn’t give that impression at all. Very flavorful and delicious while still showing all the signs of a traditional Belgian beer.
Only available in the US on draft, and with the hopes of grabbing handles in taprooms everywhere, it looks like the plan with this one is to go up against another popular belgian lager, Stella. I think they have a good chance at grabbing some of the Stella drinkers out there, this beer is way more complex and flavorful. As we have heard, it’s the thinking mans Stella.
A great beer from a brewery that had been off our radar. I will be going green.
