Each year, Crux Fermentation Project releases Doublecross, its dark Belgian-style strong ale, a big specialty brew that weighs in at 11% ABV with 21 IBUs. Brewed as a winter seasonal, it fits right into the holiday season but it’s strong enough to hold up to aging for drinking any time of the year.

The description (via the Crux website):

A vibrant reddish-black hue, substantial body and pleasant headiness give this dark Belgian-style ale an alluring first impression. The intense flavors of dark candi sugar conspire to deceive with flavors that remind us of preserved fruits and holiday spicing, but the true agent is the Trappist yeast—and a suspicious drinkability.

Crux had provided me with samples of Doublecross along with the 2022 edition of Tough Love late last year, and while the latter made it into a print article shortly thereafter, I hadn’t yet posted a proper review of the former. Time to correct that!

Appearance: Dark amber color with ruby clarity, light tan head that starts fizzy and effervescent and drops to a skein fairly quickly.

Smell: Rich and fruity with dark fruits and dark caramel, date sugar, brown sugar syrup. Belgian yeast phenolics which offer up cola, hints of cloves, anise, and maybe a hint of banana candy. It’s enticing.

Taste: Fruity with brandied figs, raisins, prunes, a hint of apricot pit. Rich malt caramelization, with some burnt sugar, caramelized cherries, some complex yeasty character bringing a spice and a hint of band-aid. Hints of fruity cacao (maybe cascara), floral alcohol notes, a back-of-the-palate honey-molasses sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body but well attenuated for a nicely dry finish, and a moderately high carbonation level despite the lack of significant head.

Overall: Rich, flavorful, easy to drink (dangerously so), a knockout beer as always.