Duvel Moortgat
Duvel
The beer that created the Belgian golden strong ale: pale, enormously carbonated, dangerously drinkable, and 8.5%.
- Strength
- 8.5% ABV
- Brewery
- Duvel Moortgat
Duvel’s trick is that it does not taste like a strong beer. Highly fermentable sugar takes it to 8.5% without leaving body behind, high carbonation and a firm bitterness keep it dry, and the pear-and-orchard-fruit esters read as light rather than rich. The name — "devil" in Brabantian dialect — is a comment on exactly that.
What it tastes like
Inherited from Belgian golden strong ale, because this beer sits within the normal range for it. BeerHQ’s comparative scale, not a measurement.
Why BeerHQ carries this beer
| Reason | Carried as a reference example of its style |
|---|---|
| Strength | 8.5% ABV — checked 2026-08-16. Strengths differ by market and change without announcement, so this is dated rather than absolute. |
| Record stability | Stable — this product has changed little and is not expected to. |
BeerHQ records no recipe, hop bill, malt bill, yeast strain, IBU or calorie figure for any commercial beer unless it is sourced. Nothing on this page is inferred from what the beer tastes like.
What is distinctive about it
- Very high carbonation, around double a typical lager
- Bottle-conditioned after a long cold maturation, which is unusual at this strength
- Poured into its distinctive glass with a deliberate large head
If you like Duvel
Worked out from what this beer actually tastes like rather than from what its style typically does. Three kinds of move, because “what should I try next” is three different questions.
Closest to it
Very similar in structure and flavour. Safe ground rather than discovery.
Tripel — try Westmalle Tripel or Tripel Karmeliet
A close structural match for Duvel — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly more bread & biscuit (none–trace → low).
May not suit: Very close to Duvel; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Saison — try Saison Dupont
A close structural match for Duvel — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: slightly more herbal (none–trace → low).
May not suit: Very close to Duvel; if you wanted a change, this is not it.
Belgian single — try Chimay Dorée
A close structural match for Duvel — a likely fit if you want more of the same.
Different: noticeably less alcohol warmth (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less alcohol warmth than Duvel.
Similar, but different
Keeps what you probably like about it and changes one or two things. Usually the most useful answer.
Belgian blond ale — try Leffe Blonde
Keeps most of what Duvel does and shifts dryness.
Different: noticeably less dryness (very high → moderate).
May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Duvel.
Dubbel — try Westmalle Dubbel or Chimay Rouge
Keeps most of what Duvel does and shifts dryness.
Different: noticeably less dryness (very high → moderate).
May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Duvel.
Belgian dark strong ale — try Chimay Blue or Rochefort 10
Keeps most of what Duvel does and shifts malt intensity.
Different: much more malt intensity (none–trace → high).
May not suit: Noticeably more malt intensity than Duvel.
A bigger jump
Genuinely different, but connected by something specific — the shared trait is named so you can judge whether the bridge holds.
Both carry real phenolic spice, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Duvel.
Different: noticeably less alcohol warmth (moderate–high → none–trace).
May not suit: Noticeably less alcohol warmth than Duvel.
Weissbier — try Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier or Schneider Weisse Original
Both carry real phenolic spice, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Duvel.
Different: noticeably less dryness (very high → low–moderate).
May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Duvel.
Kristallweizen — try Erdinger Kristall
Both carry real yeast fruitiness (esters), which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Duvel.
Different: noticeably less dryness (very high → moderate).
May not suit: Noticeably less dryness than Duvel.
Likely fits rather than promises. Taste varies, and a recommendation engine that claims certainty is claiming something it cannot know.
What to eat with it
Inherited from Belgian golden strong ale. BeerHQ does not duplicate pairings onto individual products unless the product genuinely differs from its style.
- Tagine
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Biryani
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Paneer
Bitterness, carbonation and a dry finish scrub the fat off the palate, so each mouthful of food tastes as good as the first.
- Korma
Peppery and clove-like notes from the yeast pick up the warm spicing in the dish — the same aromatic family on both sides.
Keeping it
Belgian golden strong ale is typically at its best 6–36 months after packaging, and time is working for it rather than against it.
Rewards age. Given cool, dark, upright storage this develops depth most drinkers would call an improvement. Buy two and compare.
Derived from Belgian golden strong ale. See storage and freshness for the full model.
BeerHQ carries a small set of reference beers to anchor styles, not a catalogue. There is no rating here and there will not be one. Last reviewed 2026-08-16.