St. Bernardus Prior 8

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

Moderately malty, medium to strong molasses like sweetness. Light yeast notes. Hints of brown sugar. Medium light body. Small head that lingers the entire sitting. If this didn’t cost me $11.99 for a four pack I’d be putting these in my fridge more often.

Note quite as good as the 12, this is a lighter version with the same banana notes but with more prominent spices. As good as the Trappistes.

750ml corked bottle/2002: Light brown liquid,with a fluffy,tan,long-lasting head. Lacework is dreamy! Aromas are fruity,spicy,bready, lightly sweet. As it warms balanced sweet/fruity aromas dominate. Mouthfeel is soft but has a thickness about it. Body is big like description says, with maybe just a touch to much carbonation. Flavors are sweet,then biscuity/fruity with a chocolate,fruit,quite bitter finish. Finish seems a bit toasty as well. The little yeast,I let,get into my glass,didn’t do much to change the flavor. If anything it added acidity,to the hardly acidic mouthfeel. The flavors are ever-changing and keep getting more interesting. Very good brew!

Very attractive light brown in color with a big off white head that is very fully retained. Aroma is compelling. Notes of raisins, yeast and alcohol. Flavor is initially malty. Finish is very long lasting and chewy. Excellent beer.

33cl bottle: This one pours a very hazy mahogany color. There was a good bit of a tan head that dropped away rather quickly. Definite dark fruits to the nose. Also some breadiness, yeastiness and some caramel/toffee notes. The taste is quite good, I get the caramel, raisins, breadiness, as well as a plethora of other things mixed together in there. A slightly spicy aftertaste, as well as a full body. Quite nice.

[Keg] Dark color; generous and thick head, perfect lace. Some caramel and light roasted malt aroma; spicy. Full mouth, good balance, leaning on the sweet side in the front, turning into a more bitter ending, again spicy and with caramel.

Dark brown color, big beige head, heavy lacing. Aroma is sweet, vinious fruit, candy. Flavor is sweet, and candylike. Has a little bitterness and acidity.

Pours a color that is both dark ruby, brown and orange. The persistent head is tan/off-white. The aroma is both fruity and yeasty, and is made up of cherries, plums, bread, honey, and currant. The flavors are quite nice, most of the fruit is evident, as is a bit of toffee and chocolate. A nice feel in the mouth and a moderate finish. I think I enjoyed this more than the 12.