I tried this just out of curiouslty, and for a relatively expensive beer it was not very good. Extremely foamy no matter how I pored it, and too bitter tasting. I generally like a bitter beer but this was a kind of tasteless bitterness.
Pjk
Duvel, when reasonably fresh, is a world classic beer. More subtle perhaps than many beers, but very tasty nonetheless.
This was in a bottle and there was a pop when I pulled out the cork so I am assuming it was fresh. It just wasn't what I was expecting.
Pjk
Bad assumption. That pop just meant it had carbonation. I stopped buying Duvel in the corked 750-ml bottles because in my market people it doesn't turn over very fast (I assume) because of the price; it tends to sit on warm, brightly lit shelves too long to stay in good condition. If you ever see it in 1/3-liter crown-capped bottles, at a place that gives beer the respect it deserves, try it again. Then if you still don't like it we'll just put it down to a difference in personal preference.
The traditional Duvel glass is an oversize goblet. It's got a little itty bitty notch in the bottom to help release excess CO2, and the way to pour it is about 2/3 beer and 1/3 foam.
Duvel is delicate and wonderful, it cannot be served too cold and I wouldn't imagine it would age too well. I would say either age or too cold serving temps would render the taste you describe.
_Randal
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