Duvel on Tap (8.5% ABV) uses the same ingredients, the same process of re-fermentation, and has the same carbonation as the bottled version of the same beer.
The beer will be poured on draught at the Draft House, Old Street, central London, and the Canalhouse in Nottingham.
Single-use beer line
Because of its high CO2 content, designed to give the beer roundness in the mouth and a rich foamy head, the beer has to be served through a small single-use beer line, which helps to slow the flow and pressure of the beer as it is poured.
Duvel Moortgat’s general manager UK John Wood said: “We are highly excited about the launch of the much-awaited Duvel on Tap here in the UK. With this gem, Duvel has re-affirmed its primacy in the beer world by becoming the only brewer producing beer that is re-fermented in a keg at such high CO2 content.
“Duvel’s re-fermentation, part of its famous 90-day brewing process, produced beer that was too highly carbonated to dispense on most standard draught dispense systems. Duvel has always needed a sturdy glass bottle strong enough to keep the re-fermentation process in check, hence why its stumpy brown glass bottle has become so iconic."
Slow the flow
Wood added: “What makes the Duvel on Tap dispense system innovative is that it uses a small single-use beer line that helps to slow the flow and pressure of the beer, recreating the traditional Duvel pour.”
The full brewing process for both Duvel and Duvel on Tap takes 90 days and is renowned worldwide. After brewing, the beer spends two weeks in a warm room for re-fermentation and about six weeks in cold storage for conditioning.
The beer takes its name from the Flemish word for ‘devil’.