St. Bernardus Prior 8

Brewed by St. Bernard Brouwerij
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Watou, Belgium

Bottle. Ripe fruits, raisins, malt and chocolate in aroma. Deep copperred colour with high beige head. Sweet flavour of very ripe fruits mixed with malt. Moderate carbonation.

It isn’t a Westy 8 but it’s a decent and readily available substitute. I prefer this to the 12 and 6.

0,75 L bottle, pours cloudy brown with a good head that last for 2 seconds. Dark fruits in the nose, alcohol and little anis, flavor is intense with dark fruits again, big anis note and a rather grainy finish. the palate is very livley, but thin. the finish is grainy again and to rough for my liking although not lasting. alcohol is evident.

12 oz bottle, poured root beer brown with clarity plus trub particles. More dark fruit, spice and sweetness (though thinner in body) than Westmalle. No mineral pucker in first sip, but built up. Dynamic flavors. Took on bread dough aroma, thinner body and cloying sweetness as it warmed.

Light tan head (almost white). Brown color with lots of yeast and sediment. Good flavor with some fruit taste. Slight carmel and sugar taste. Very malty with some bitterness. Not as good as Abt 12 but still a good beer.

Bottle. Aroma of light fruits (apple, pear), brown sugar, candi sugar. Flavor quite sweet with a big brown sugar push. Was surprised that I didn’t find it particularly complex, but somehow didn’t get too sweet either, though I can’t name any particular balancing factor. Tasty but not particularly mind-blowing.

A- Pours a cloudy brown hue that lightens to dirty orange near the bottom, head is off-white soapy suds that dissipates to a thin layer, clingy lacing S- Nose is sweet malts and dark fruits, yeasts, belgian sugar, caramel and molasses,slight banana T- Very smooth and balanced dubbel, initial taste is dark fruits and caramel sweetness, bread malts and yeast, finishes with fading banana M- Medium-bodied, creamy texture, optimal carbonation D- Another stellar offering from Bernardus is not surprising, well-balanced and complex with a smooth and creamy profile, flavors open upon warming and the alcohol is well-masked

Bottle. Dark brown color with translucent head. Fruit, alcohol, and yeast in the nose. Taste is roasty, yeasty and warm with alcohol. Flavors are like toffee, caramel, and molases. Sips like a brandy. Very nice and enjoyable.