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Grimbergen Brassin de Noël

Grimbergen
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🌍 Belgium · Dubbel · One of 6 Dubbels in hopIQ

The winter release of the abbey range, mahogany brown with a generous cream-coloured head. Caramel dominates the nose, joined by banana, apple, red fruit, spice and a faint smoky note. The palate is soft and only lightly bitter: liquorice, ripe fruit and a touch of macerated prune over caramel malt, with orange zest adding lift. Spice and zest linger in the finish while the sweetness builds. Brewed each year for the end-of-year season and also sold as Brassin d'Hiver.

ABV
6.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter18 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber14
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Substantial body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Off-dry finish.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Very crisp mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

Very crisp and mildly bitter.

Trim and gentle — the beer moves through with an unforced, easy rhythm.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Dubbel.
Malt character
caramel
malty
bready
Fermentation & yeast
fruity
banana
Distinctive notes
orange
spicy
dark fruit
smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Grimbergen Brassin de Noël

◎ Appearance

Mahogany brown with excellent clarity and a generous, cream-coloured head that settles to a persistent collar. The carbonation is moderate, producing a fine mousse that clings to the glass in delicate strands throughout the drinking experience.

mahogany brownpersistent cream headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Caramel leads the nose with considerable presence, supported by ripe fruit notes of banana and apple alongside red fruit undertones. Spice and a subtle smoky character emerge on deeper inspection, creating a layered and inviting bouquet typical of the abbey tradition.

caramel-forwardbanana, applesubtle smokespiced

◐ Taste

Soft entry with low bitterness allows the malt character to dominate, displaying notes of liquorice and macerated prune over a substantial caramel Malz base. Orange zest provides brightness and lift, while spice elements weave through the mid-palate, building a gentle sweetness that rounds the finish.

soft palateliquorice, prunecaramel maltcitrus lift

◑ Finish

Spice and citrus zest linger in a medium-length finish as residual sweetness builds. The aftertaste remains clean and warm, without harsh drying.

spiced aftertastewarming sweetness
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
78
Appearance
79
Finish
76
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Grimbergen Brassin de Noël

Serve at 10–12°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 10–12°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet
Recommended for this style

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Grimbergen Brassin de Noël

About Dubbel

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Dubbel?

Dubbel is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Dubbel

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, fruity, orange character as Grimbergen Brassin de Noël will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Dubbels in hopIQ

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