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Vecchia Orsa Belgian

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The four-star Slow Food Italy Beer Guide winner from Italy's most purposeful social brewery — Vecchia Orsa's Belgian amber is a warm, malty Dubbel-inspired ale brewed by the cooperative in San Giovanni in Persiceto. Dark fruit, caramel, dried fig and a gentle spice from Belgian yeast; a full, smooth body and a clean, dry finish. Four Slow Food stars validate what the Bologna craft scene has long known: Vecchia Orsa brews as well as any dedicated craft house.

ABV
5.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber18
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
maltydark fruitspicy
malty
dark fruit
spicy
caramel
toasty
clean
Aroma
The nose opens with dark fruit notes—plum and raisin—layered beneath a warm caramel sweetness.
also:yeasty
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Vecchia Orsa Belgian

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to copper-brown in the glass, with excellent clarity and a fine, persistent head. The color suggests substantial malt character and careful brewing control. Carbonation is moderate and well-integrated, supporting steady foam retention.

deep amberclearpersistent headmoderate carbonation

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with dark fruit notes—plum and raisin—layered beneath a warm caramel sweetness. Belgian yeast contributes gentle spice and subtle dried fig, while a light toasty undertone rounds out the aromatic profile. There is no sharp bitterness in the aroma; instead, the impression is inviting and rounded.

dark fruitcaramelBelgian spicedried fig

◐ Taste

The palate enters full and smooth, with malty sweetness building across the mid-palate. Dark fruit and subtle caramel interplay with low-to-moderate bitterness (22 IBU), creating balance rather than sharpness. The yeast character adds a dry spice that prevents cloying, while the overall mouthfeel remains soft and approachable.

full-bodiedmalty sweetnessgentle bitternessclean finish

◑ Finish

The finish is clean and dry, with lingering warmth from the 5.5% ABV. A subtle spice and dried fruit fade gradually, leaving a composed, non-astringent aftertaste.

drywarminglingering fruit
83
hopIQ score
Aroma
84
Taste
84
Appearance
82
Finish
80
Serve at 10–12°C

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

Goblet

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

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Vecchia Orsa Belgian

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About Belgian Dubbel

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Dubbel?

Belgian 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 Belgian Dubbel

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same malty, dark fruit, dry character as Vecchia Orsa Belgian will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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