St. Bernardus Abt 12

Brewed by St. Bernard Brouwerij
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Watou, Belgium

Aroma was fruity vanilla malts and alcohol. The pour was nice hazy brown with a thick light tan head. The head takes some time to settle down and leaves a nice thin layer on top until the end. Flavor was a complex mixture of fruits, syrup, malts and hints of vanilla and alcohol. Palate was incredible. Carbonation from beginning to end that finished almost frothy. Leaves my tongue tingling. Not a big carbonation man myself, but it is well implemented here.

330mL bottle from an in person trade. I was excited to get to try this one. Pours a dark, murky brown with plenty of yeast sediment floating around, and a huge beige head. The aroma is very yeasty, not all that complex, just the usual dark fruity esters and a touch of booze, but still pretty nice. The flavour is sort of a mixed bag every sip I take. Sometimes more harsh than others, but generally gets better as it goes along. Yeasty and boozy, but also some nice prune and date notes. Very smooth and silky feel to it, which I like. Very sweet and malty, but I wouldn’t call it terribly complex, but that’s not to say it isn’t good. Gets much better as it warms, and the warming feeling from the alcohol isn’t harsh at all, but very much evident. I’m not really sure what else to say about it, it’s well done, but I guess it only really gains any major complexity with significant age. All in all a good one I’m glad to have, and one worth trying.

Re-rate 6/21/09: Pours dark dark hazy brown with two finger beige head. Aroma is bursting with ripe fruits such as plum, cherry, and apricot. Lots of sweetness in the aroma- brown sugar and molasses. Flavor is sweet with dark fruit notes quite prevalent. Malt character is robust and complex with fruity notes and lots of dark fruits: plum raisin and fig abound. Some alcohol in there as well, but not overwhelming. Palate is thick yet drinkable...robust but refreshing and crisp. Finish is dry. Quite the bold charactered brew.

Lovely aroma of chocolate, sweetness. Dark coffee color. Amazing enjoyable flavor with roasty maltiness, dark fruits, very complex. One of my favorties!

Bottle. Pours a dark coke color, nice full tan head. Very complex, nice and enjoyable flavor; long-lasting finish.

I can’t believe it took me so long to try this beer. Pours a dark hazy brown with thick white/light tan head. Nice sweet aroma. Good flavor, nice dark fruit. It isn’t as good as the Westy 12...but since it is so readily available, it will have a place in my fridge. Good stuff.

Pours dark hazy brown with a foamy off white head. Aroma is fairly light. Plum and apple fruity tones. Dark roast Flavour is so so smooth!! Roasty malt dominates in the early palate, plum and dark fruit tones, sweet in the finish. Alc is assertive but not overpowering.

33cl, from De Hopduvel Gent, very complex brew, sweet, cloudy, good head, very good brew