Neither this brewery nor this beer were initially named Duvel.
After World War I, the Moortgat Brewery in Belgium brewed a Belgian Golden Strong Ale called Victory Ale to commemorate the end of the war.
It was only during a tasting when a friend of the brewer declared that this deceptively strong boozer (nearly 9% abv!) was “a true devil” that the name Duvel was born.
Higher alcohol content than most Belgian styles, Belgian Golden Strong Ales have a light, grainy sweet malt backbone that supports complex notes of fruit, spice, and alcohol. A distinctive floral hop character is also present and the hop bitterness lingers into the dry finish.
Duvel is considered a characteristic example of the Belgian Golden Strong Ale style and other beers brewed in this style often have references to the devil in their names as a nod to this beer.
Due to its popularity, that the Moortgat Brewery renamed themselves after their flagship and are today known as Duvel Moortgat.
They say the devil’s in the details, but sometimes it’s right in the name.
Watson's Corner 