With the cooler winter weather upon us and the need for dark beer to bring a warming feeling in the damp days of fall, I was happy to have tried a growler fill of the Krampus Belgian Dubbel from Strange Fellows Brewing.
A summer favourite of mine from Strange Fellows is the Talisman West Coast Pale Ale which offers a great citrusy tropical taste.
Who is Krampus?
Krampus, I didn’t realize, is an actual figure who exists in Central European folklore and myth. He is a half goat half demon character who punishes children who were not good when Christmas comes.
He is hairy, usually brown or black, and has the cloven hooves and horns of a goat. His long, pointed tongue lolls out and he has fangs. Scary stuff!
Krampus Belgian Dubbel
Obviously Strange Fellows has hit on this tradition as a way to market this great beer and it does add a layer of mystery to its taste and style.
The beer itself is a Belgian Dubbel which also has some interesting history behind it given its European connections.
Dubbel which stands for (double) has a characteristic brown colour. It is one of the classic Abbey/Trappist types, having been developed in the 19th century at the Trappist monastery in Westmalle. Today, some commercial brewers using abbey names call their strong brown beers “Dubbel”. Typically, a dubbel is between 6 and 8% abv.
Belgian history shows us that beer has been brewed there since the 12th century.
One interesting thing that stands out is the Dubbel’s pairings with different types of foods. Flavoured sausages, meat stews, gouda cheese and anything chocolate are all rich foods in my book. I also associate them with Christmas feasts and foods that are good for warming your insides when its cold.
Be prepared to for the 8.5 percent alcohol content as well which will knock you on your rear end if you drink too many glasses.
Krampus has become one of my winter favourites for beer and I’m always waiting for it to drop at Strange Fellows. Be sure and make a visit to the brewery before the end of the holiday season.
