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Home > Brewers > Belgium > St. Bernard Brouwerij >

St. Bernardus Abt 12 Special Edition

 (RETIRED)

St. Bernardus Abt 12 Special Edition

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 Percentile 
100
overall
An Abt/Quadrupel formerly brewed by
St. Bernard Brouwerij

Watou, Belgium

bottled
common

on tap
available

Broad Distribution
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4234.1/5.04.09/5.0Special11%93.8Trappist glass P  Stats

Commercial Description:
The St. Bernardus Abt 12 is recognized as one of the best ales in the world. For the occasion of our 60th anniversary, our brewmaster Bert Van Hecke created a unique and special variety of the St. Bernardus Abt 12. This "Special Edition" contains hops from Poperinge: Challenger and Golding, and has been brewed with black, amber, munich and pale ale malts.

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 wunderbier (1261), Finland
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/57/103/514/20

Oct 2, 2006  
Upon pouring, a massive and rocky light tan head billows above deep rusty brown body. With strong elements of cocoa, plums and currents, the aroma is already quite different from the original Abt 12. This delineation continues as sweet notes of toffee and plums enter the fold. Sprightly perfume and sage hop tones intertwine with a sense of orange zest and muted alcohol. A soft yeast essence similar to fresh linen settles underneath the other aromas. Currants and prunes take the forefront in the flavor, followed by a dry cocoa powder sensation, light toffee and a dark, fruity acidity. The finish holds a fresh cookie sweetness balanced with drying herbal hops and a citric acidity drawn out by a long warming alcohol note. There is substantial weight to the body, though not quite thick, and with a velvety--sometimes chalky--texture and bustling, pinpoint carbonation a feeling of lightness on the palate is achieved.

All that said, there are some elements I hope time will see fit to correct for this beer. Firstly, the aroma is far too crisp, fresh and sharp for my liking. Also, the current level of acidity is very harsh to my palate and combined with the alcohol element it comes across as stinging. Finally, the occasional chalkiness really makes it a tough swallow. Age will likely be kind to this beast, but I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.


 drpimento (518), La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
4.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/59/105/518/20
Sep 20, 2008  
Fabulous! Lucky to have one of the few left with good friends. Poured with a nice fine head which lasted. Good lace. Nice dark brownish red or reddish brown. I don’t CARE!! Complex aroma of malt, caramel, toffee, licorice, herbs, Dark fruit. Endless fantasies. No faults whatsoever. Even good burps. Finish is satisfying yet beguiling. yUMMM!


 HenrikSoegaard (3171), Randers, Denmark
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Sep 20, 2008  
Bottle. Creamy off-white excellent fully lasting head. Amber colour. Heavy malty and hopy very fruity aroma. Powerfull heavy bitter flavor. Loads f fruit and caramel. Long nice finsih. Creamy palate. Great well-balanced beer.


 jzzbassman (688), New Albany, Mississippi, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Sep 18, 2008  
Garnet pour with tons of lacing. Big fruit and leather aroma. Flavor is quite vinous fruity and earthy. Big alcohol warm finish. Quite lovely.


 bdigi66 (459), Ft Wayne, Indiana, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/57/103/517/20
Sep 11, 2008  
Bottle: Courtesy of mgumby10 from way back...finally decided to crack this during my brother-in-laws rehearsal dinner for his wedding. Dark amber pour with a large tan head. Notes of dark toasted malts, raisins, toffee and brown sugar are present along with a bit of alcohol. Very tingly mouth feel, full bodied and exceptional. Earthy, dark malts, dark fruits, some bitter/dry chocolate and some caramel malts are noted in the flavor...again, a bit hot but not detracting. Very good.


Swolf3 (88), Elkton, Maryland, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
Sep 9, 2008  
Bottle. Poured a murky brown color with nice head and lacing. Aroma was brown sugar and dried fruits. Taste is Similar along with raisons and yeast. A very smooth and complex. Easy/nice to drink brew. Enjoyed very much.



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