What a way to start the week. A Dubbel vs. a Tripel in what will surely be a battle of pure personal preference. Let’s get this going with the Allagash Dubbel, a beer that I voted for which could prove to be a critical link to this crazy conundrum we find ourselves in today. I’ve had a couple friends ask me about this beer because of how much I raved about the smoky flavors and 7 distinct malts. How can this beer be balanced? They want to know. The only way I can describe it is, have you ever had a really good hamburger, one with the works? The ratio of meat to fixins’ is not overly good as chances are the burger is loaded up with everything else, yet you can still taste the meat enough for it to be a great burger. Same goes for this brew. There are a lot of malt flavors, sure, but the citrus spice comes through clear as day enough to put the meat in this proverbial sandwich and not just leave it as a salad.

Now then, in the other fridge, another Allagash, the Allagash Tripel, a beer I voted against, only because I felt that it had run into a personal favorite of mine. Earthy, yet crisp, the Allagash Tripel really surprises you into thinking that this beer will be very sweet and strong with hints of alcohol and scotch notes in the finish but you would be wrong. This beer has the organic sugars of a Tripel but it manages to hold a certain hop note throughout that keeps it from running away into a scotch. Combine this with the doughy smoothness throughout that is that earthy sweetness I was talking about and you have yourself a finely crafted beer. It is worth noting how much attention to detail must be paid when you are working with such potent flavors as the slightest imbalance could easily turn this brew into a malted or hoppy mess with too little hints of balance. Kudos to Allagash for getting 2 beers here, you are in very distinguished company and a truly great brewery! Thank you!

UPDATE: Click Here for Match Results!