brügge zot dubbel

On the label of this Belgian beer specialty is a classically dressed harlequin with bells on his feet, hat and skirt hem. The Brugse Zot Dubbel’s mascot goes back to a legend that has persisted since the Middle Ages. Austria’s Emperor Maximilian was also the head of other countries in the late 15th century and his wife was a Belgian princess. The city of Bruges was therefore also part of his dominion, but its residents were not particularly fond of the emperor. He levied exorbitant taxes and banned celebrations. It is popularly said that when the emperor asked for a festival and a madhouse to be built, all he had to do was close the city’s ports and bridges to get the madhouse he wanted. As a humorous reference to this story, the brewery placed the fool on its label.

Behind the cheerful rogue is a dark beer that, after the brewing process is complete, matures to its intense splendor in a second fermentation in the bottle with the help of rock candy. The strong strong beer brings a whopping 7.5% alcohol content to the table and has an aroma composed of roasted malt, caramel, coffee and ripe dark fruits. Warm spices skilfully round off the bouquet.