Beer of the Month: Brother David’s Double from Anderson Valley Brewing Co.

Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Brother David’s Double

This is Anderson Valley’s take on a Belgian abbey ale, hence the austere monk’s habit color scheme of the label. It’s a dramatic, highly flavored beer, though. Call it the opposite of an IPA: all malt, very little hops (though fairly powerful at 9% alcohol).

Or maybe call it a glass of candy. The luscious nose is milk chocolate with a touch of molasses and dried fruit — raisins, figs, apricots — and it’s malty-sweet in the mouth, though it finishes dry and slightly spicy.

In terms of food pairing, it’s probably too sweet to go with just about anything but dessert: say, cake with vanilla frosting. In fact, it could really serve as dessert on its own.

— Charles Perry

Quick sip

Style: A malt bar with a kick.

Price: $5.99 to $7.37 for a 22-ounce bottle.

Where to find it: Beverage Warehouse in Los Angeles, (310) 306-2822, https://www.beveragewarehouse.com; Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa, (949) 650-8463 https://www.hitimewine.net; Red Carpet Wine, 400 E. Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, (800) 339-0609, https://www.redcarpetwine.com; Wade’s Wines in Westlake Village, (805) 522-4445, https://www.wadeswines.com; Total Wine & More stores (Northridge, Brea, Tustin and Rancho Cucamonga), https://www.totalwine.com; and Beverages and More stores, https://www.bevmo.com.