Hi guys.  For today’s craft beer review I’m going to be drinking the Brother David’s Double Abbey Style Ale brewed by the Anderson Valley Brewing Company located in Boonville, California.

I’ve enjoyed all of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company products that I’ve tried so far and I would be surprised if I didn’t like this one, so…..

Let’s get to the description of the Brother David’s Double Abbey Style Ale from the website, avbc.com.

Winner of the 2011 Great American Beer Festival ® Gold Medal, Brother David’s Double is rich, dark brown ode to maltiness, with rich dark-chocolate creaminess, and the scent of banana and tropical fruit esters. Faint hop notes linger in the background against classic belgian carbonation.

As with all of our products, Brother David’s Double is never sterile filtered nor heat pasteurized.

I’m ready for a sip.  How ’bout you?

This beer came in a 22 oz. bottle and it had an ABV of 9.0%.

The brew poured a hazy, burgundy to dark brown color with a small, tight, compact, light tan head.  It was mostly smooth and relatively creamy.  The retention time could have been a little bit better, but the lacing looked ok.

The nose began with a nice waft of dark fruits.  Figs, plums, dates and dark grapes.  I was able to detect only a dab of the banana.  Some hints of alcohol (rum) integrated well with some toasted breads and doughy biscuits.  It was also quite yeasty with a trace of clove.  Some sweet caramel came through a touch as the brew began to warm.  The alcohol started to step forward a tad as I went along too.  No matter, it still smelled nice.

The taste presented some rich, dark fruits.  Again, the figs, plums, grapes and dates.  I was having trouble finding much of the banana though.  It was a little more yeasty and bready in the flavor than it was in the aroma.  Savors of clove and some other assorted spices that I could not completely pinpoint.  Some sugary sweetness from the caramel malt combined with the rum soaked biscuits to create a very nicely balanced taste.

The mouthfeel was medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation.  Dry, smooth and chewy.  A delicate warmth was felt as the brew crossed the palate and made its way down my throat.  A good amount of flavor was left behind also.  The tongue and throat were nicely covered.

Well, I wasn’t disappointed with this beer at all.  I liked it considerably well.  It’s not quite on par with the “Trappists” styled brews, but I thought it to be a decent interpretation none the less.  It wasn’t nearly as robust or boisterous as those brews either, however I wouldn’t mind trying it again.  It paired well with the cold evening on which I sampled it.  I sipped on it for a lengthy period while letting it breath and develop and I never found anything displeasing.  I’d say try it if you see it.  It’s not overly complicated or elaborate, although it does maintain enough character to commission some analysis.  So, pick up a bottle of the Anderson Valley Brother David’s Double Abbey Style Ale and let me know what you thought of it.

Thanks for reading and commenting folks.  I hope you guys are doing well.

Until next time.  Cheers.

Score:  3.9 out of 5
Grade:  B+