Game Day Beer Review: Bayou Teche Beer Joi Dubbel

(7.50% ABV) Biere Joi was poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a tulip glass at home on a recent Sunday afternoon. The beer appeared a dark brown with tawny highlights, and was accompanied by a head of light chocolate-colored foam that quickly subsided. 

The smell was pure chocolate on the nose, with just a hint of peppery spice. The strong smell of roast coffee was evident, as well: this beer was brewed in partnership with Mello Joy, the original Cajun coffee brand.

The coffee won on the initial tasting, and the savory notes given off by the peppers from Primo's in Lafayette, Louisiana were definitely there in the beer's elegant finish. Biere Joi was not nearly as sweet as the nose would lead one to believe, and the peppers add a very unexpected -- but increasingly welcome -- bit of heat to the finish. 

This is definitely a beer to savor, and one to celebrate the many jois of life with: A  

Game Day Beer Review: Abita Brewing Abbey Dubbel Ale

(8.00% ABV) Abita Abbey Ale was drunk from a paper Dixie Cup on a chilly evening in Northwest Florida -- you've got to use the tools that life hands you.... Winter was definitely in the air.

The beer smelled of caramel and clove -- with the scent of cherries wafting into the air, as well. 

Abbey Ale was sweet, but strangely so in our estimation. It had a bit of a weird Tabasco/Ketchup taste going on. There was some cherry there, too, but we found the beer to be slightly unbalanced, and not the finest hour from this great southeastern brewery. B-


 

Game Day Beer Review: Bieres de Chimay Premiere (Red) Dubbel

(7.00% ABV).  Stylishly served in a Chimay goblet at Saia, on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Chimay Red pours a hazy gold with a thinnish head that's white and thick as shaving cream. Premiere smells of malt. On tasting, the beer has a malty, bananas, bready sweetness, with a warm syrupy aftertaste. It's pure class. A

Game Day Beer Review: Brasserie de Brunehaut Abbey St Martin Belgian Brown Dubbel Ale

(8.00% ABV) Poured out of a bottle into a tulip glass, Abbey St. Martin Brown is the color of richly-steeped iced tea, with a thick, off-white head that leaves behind little to no lacing. The smell is malty, with overtones of chocolate and just the barest hint of sweetness -- maybe molasses?  Abbey St. Martin Brown's first taste is rich, roasted malts, followed closely by dark fruits, which are relatively restrained. The beer has a decent mouthfeel, and is refreshing for a dubbel, with moderate carbonation.  It's eminently drinkable, and the alcohol is extremely well hidden. If it's been around since 1096, it's got to be good. Run out and get yourself some today: A-.