Duvel is the beer that defined the Belgian golden strong ale, and almost everyone else in the style is chasing it. The name means devil in the local dialect, a nod to how a beer this pale and drinkable can hide 8.5% ABV. Duvel Moortgat has been brewing it in Puurs since the 1920s, and the modern recipe, with its long cold conditioning and two-stage fermentation, produces a huge rocky head and a bone-dry finish. Here is how it drinks and why it earns second place.
Duvel at a glance
| Style | Belgian golden strong ale |
| ABV | 8.5% |
| Calories | Around 230 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | Around 16g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Duvel Moortgat, Puurs, Belgium |
| Ingredients | Water, pale barley malt, dextrose, hops (Saaz and Styrian Golding), yeast |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Gluten free | No, it contains barley |
| Typical price | Around $11 to $15 for a 4-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Duvel is built on carbonation, pale-malt lift and a dry finish rather than sweetness or heavy body, so the fizz and dryness dials sit high and the sweetness stays low.
The full review
Poured properly into its tulip glass it throws an enormous, dense white head over a bright, clear golden body. The aroma is all pear and apple fruit, a little lemon, a peppery spice from the yeast and a soft grainy malt underneath. It looks and smells far lighter than it is.
The taste is where the trick reveals itself. It is crisp and lively, with orchard fruit and a gentle sweetness up front, then a wave of spritzy carbonation and a long, dry, slightly bitter finish that scrubs the palate clean. The 8.5% is almost invisible until the warmth arrives a beat later.
That drinkability is the whole point and the whole danger. It goes down like a much lighter beer, which is exactly why the locals named it after the devil. Served cold and fresh it is one of the most refreshing strong beers on earth.
It is brewed to an exacting standard and it shows in the consistency from bottle to bottle. If you want to understand the golden strong style, this is the reference and everything else is a variation on it.
So pale and drinkable you forget it is 8.5%, until it reminds you.
- The definitive Belgian golden strong ale
- Huge, beautiful head and lively carbonation
- Crisp, dry and dangerously drinkable
- Consistent quality bottle after bottle
- The 8.5% hides too well for its own good
- Needs a big glass and a careful pour
- Very dry finish is not for sweet-tooths
Who it is for
Drinkers who want a strong beer that still feels crisp and refreshing. If you like it, Delirium Tremens is the fruitier cousin and Piraat is the bigger, boozier take on the style.
Duvel FAQs
What does Duvel taste like?
Crisp and dry with pear and apple fruit, a peppery yeast spice, soft grainy malt and a long, clean, faintly bitter finish. Much lighter tasting than its 8.5% suggests.
Why is Duvel called the devil?
Duvel means devil in the Flemish dialect. The name plays on how such a pale, easy-drinking beer hides a serious 8.5% ABV.
How strong is Duvel?
It is 8.5% ABV, so despite tasting light it is a genuinely strong beer.
How should I pour Duvel?
Slowly into a wide tulip glass, keeping the bottle a little back so it builds its trademark tall, rocky head without foaming over. Leave the last bit of yeast behind if you want it clear.
How many calories are in Duvel?
Around 230 per 12 fl oz. Duvel Moortgat does not publish an official figure, but that is in line with an 8.5% golden strong ale.
Is Duvel vegan?
Yes. It is brewed from water, pale malt, dextrose, hops and yeast with no animal products.
Is Duvel gluten free?
No. It is brewed with barley malt, so it contains gluten.
Where is Duvel brewed?
In Puurs, Belgium, by Duvel Moortgat, which has made it since the 1920s.
Where to buy Duvel
Duvel is stocked almost everywhere good beer is sold, in singles and 4-packs, and it delivers well. Use the button above to check the current price.
The verdict
Duvel is the golden strong ale by which all others are judged, and it earns that status. The combination of a pale, elegant body, that towering head and a bone-dry finish makes an 8.5% beer feel astonishingly refreshing. Brilliant and endlessly reliable, it takes a well-deserved four point seven out of five. Compare it with the rest in our best Belgian beer guide.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Duvel?
Duvel is a Belgian golden strong ale, at 8.5% ABV.
How much alcohol is in Duvel?
Duvel has an ABV of 8.5%.
How many calories are in Duvel?
Duvel has Around 230 per 12 fl oz, based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Duvel gluten free?
Duvel: No, it contains barley.
Does Duvel have carbs?
Yes, Duvel has Around 16g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Duvel taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
What is a good alternative to Duvel?
If you can’t find Duvel, Delirium Tremens is a close alternative in the same Belgian golden strong ale category.
How much does Duvel cost?
Duvel typically runs Around $11 to $15 for a 4-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Duvel without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Duvel?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for a Belgian golden strong ale like Duvel. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
