29 September 2026

Dubbel, tripel, quadrupel: what do the names mean?

Dubbel, tripel and quadrupel are beer styles from the Belgian and Dutch monastic tradition. The names sound like arithmetic, but that's not how it works.

Dubbel

A dubbel is dark, malty and sweetish, with notes of caramel and dried fruit. It usually sits around 6 to 8%. The best known is Westmalle Dubbel.

Tripel

A tripel, by contrast, is golden, powerful and spicy, often between 8 and 10%. In 1934 Westmalle released a strong golden beer that's often seen as the first tripel. Well-known tripels are Westmalle Tripel and Tripel Karmeliet.

Quadrupel

A quadrupel is even fuller and darker, often 10% or more. In the early 1990s La Trappe was the first brewery to actually call a beer 'Quadrupel'. La Trappe Quadrupel.

Where do the names come from?

Nobody knows for sure. One well-known explanation is that brewers used to mark casks with crosses to show strength: X, XX, XXX. Another is that it referred to the amount of malt. Either way: a tripel isn't three times as strong as a regular beer, and you don't have to pay three times as much for it either.

These beers are stronger than a lager, so take it easy: smaller glasses and some water in between.

More articles

Always the best deal

Email me when the app is out.

One email when the app is in the App Store. Then we delete your address. Privacy