Herevana -#193 – Craftwork – Plum Dubbel

Here we have: – Craftwork Plum Dubbel – I’ve had this beer before – So I re-read the brewers notes, wherein it says “a one off”, so that confused me. But it is good beer so it’s not a sad confusion. I got this bottle as part of a short lived Craftwork Societé wherein I gave them cash and they send me beers, the best kind of arrangement, one that included really rare and special beers that weren’t for release. It’s in shops, go get one.

Craftwork make the Craftwork Plum Dubbel as a Special Seasonal beer in the style that is a Dubbel and they do that in  Oamaru, Otago, 🇳🇿New Zealand, this is beer of 11.2% ABV.

This was bottled on the 20th April 2024 – batch #1. Note to self: last time this was extremely lively and potentially a gusher, so I’m to be delicate.

No, it was well behaved, and stayed the bottle, there was a goodly hiss on opening though. A generous and lovely rich aroma on opening, it’s almost worth it just for that.

Taken in by that small success the disaster came in the pour, where it is very lively, and effusive, but that’s ok, it looks properly nice and inviting in the glass, the special one I got out for the occasion.

This is quite dense and very rich as a beer, and probably a good idea to have this as the finishing stanza to a night in or out and not a starter (for 11.2). Bold fruit sweetness has a really big mouthfeel. but despite you can still feel that alcohol tang underneath, just a reminder.

This is such a pleasing beer to drink, it’s very easy on the taste buds, and a beer that you don’t have to stress over, or over analyse or pick apart, the flavours are all there in unison and place, a big plum forward sugary treat.

The Pdubyah-o-meter rates this as a 9 on the arbitrary number scale. I still like this, although it is at the higher end of sweetness/dessert level beers for taste, but I’m so so happy to be able to drink it again, and really enjoy it all over.

Music: I’m listening to David Bowie – the album playing is Hunky Dory, the choice is hard there are many excellent choices.

Herevana beers are those I drink at home, I’m not at some beer festival, like, for instance, Beervana, but am just in my kitchen, usually, dining room table, sometimes, or outside, occasionally, where I can take an average picture and write in real time about the beer that I’ve invested in, both in a monetary and emotional way.

Philip himself.

An exceptional one-off beer. As good fortune would have it, our chum Renzo offered us some fruit pulp leftover from a bottling of an aged plum liqueur, and we thought that in combination with our abbey dubbel this could be a match made in heaven. Dark and vinous, this sweet nectar has a spicy aroma and begs another sip. Take care though, as it is very strong. We recommend sharing the bottle with friends and loved ones, in small glasses. Pair with rich fruitcake or great chocolate. Mon Dieu c’est bon!

Brewers Notes

Dubbel

The Belgian Dubbel, also known as Trappist Dubbel, is a deep reddish-copper, moderately strong, malty, complex ale with rich malty flavors, dark or dried fruit esters, and light alcohol blended together in a malty presentation that still finishes fairly dry. Should not be as malty as a bock and should not have crystal malt-type sweetness. Similar in strength and balance as a Belgian Blonde Ale, but with a richer malt and ester profile. Less strong and intense as a Belgian Dark Strong Ale.