Westvleteren 12

Brewed by Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Westvleteren, Belgium

Trade from Fata2683; share with Pwn3d & jredmond; cap read 03.09.11. Bottle poured into nose-able glasses, NYC studio, uber fantasy flutes raging in the background... 299 beers ago I was turned on to the art of the brew, the taste and feel, the appreciation, the hunt. 299 beers later I find myself with the most heavily hunted, highest rated in the world... and while no chorus of angels with golden harps began to play after the top was popped, I was once again reminded why we all appreciate beer... the beginning to end process of drinking great ale with friends. "Near completely opaque, mahogany, dark syrup... nose smells of diesel, intense sugars and dark fruits. The mouth is almost overwhelming... quickly fading carbonation... dry, weird... crude oil. More dark fruits but with a faint brightness on the end... sticks to mouth, gums teeth! Actually felt heat travel through my body... near empty glass: some grass.... last sip: pretty medicine like." The #1 beer in the world? When you account for the air of mystery and limited brewing, again the hunt and the beer’s distinct qualities... yeah I’d say this is a solid rock n roll brew!

Stefanje brought this gem to my house for the worlds smallest tasting. Three guys and 4 bottles of beer. Seriously big thank-yous for showing up with this. Bottle code said 23.06 which we looked up and I believe it was a 2007 batch. Cola brown with a tiny lace and tiny ring. The nose was musty and sweet. Sweet tea and cola or something. Interestingly, although the head was tiny, carbonation fizzed on the side of the glass when tilted, and it was super fizzy carbonated in the mouth. I don’t recall having that happen with any other beer. The taste has the same effect as the nose, but with a lot more going on. Sweet, to sharp bitter, then finally a pungent funkiness. There was a strong taste I couldn’t quite pinpoint. I was getting a sensory memory from my childhood or something. Maybe mince pie? I dunno what it was, but I liked it.

Bottle, courtesy of Garrett. Thanks a million bud! Drank this as a late birthday present to myself. Color is murky mud brown, with a wispy head and average lacing. Slightly red in the light. Aroma is a buttery blend of raisins, brown sugar, vanilla, earth and red wine. Mouthfeel is absolutely decadent: smooth, creamy, lightly carbonated with a long soft finish. Flavors slow dance across the palate, finishing with warming essence down the throat. Lots of soft dark fruit, leather, nutty, wood and chocolate. It is dark but comes off so smooth you think you were drinking a nectar of hazelnut-raspberry chocolate truffle. At the same time, the flavors are balanced and earthy. Incredible! I can’t quite describe how well this medley is blended. No alcohol present at all. This is just such a mature beer. It is, without a doubt, the purest and best example of Trappist brewing.

Bottle split with Pwn3d and CUJO. Thanks bros. Pours a murky brown body with nice off white lacing. The aroma is cherry, dark fruit, malt, and lots of bread. Taste is smooth and well-balanced. Palate is warming alcohol, notes of sweet sugary malt - not a whole lot of flavor. For what little flavor the beer boasts, the alcohol is extremely well hidden.

In life, there are certain moments that stick with you forever... Perhaps your first crush, maybe your first job, possibly a lifetime achievement award? Also equally as significant, your first Westveleren 12... For my 1,000 rating, no other beer could suffice. After 999 beers, each with a memory attached, I sat down with JRedmond and CUJO (which also hit 1,000 and 300 ratings, respectfully) to feast on this Divine ale… truly a blessed gift of the Trappist order. Big thanks to Fata2683 for the trade. Unlifted bottled, oiled, cap read 03.09.11 and sampled on October 19th, 2009. Opened the bottle to Equilibrium’s "mana" flute solo. Poured into delirium tremens glass. Color is omni brown with plenty of haze, floaters, and slightly sudded off white head. Nose is extremely musky with accents of green peppers, herbals, and fine leather. Taste is peppery with some earth and wooded tones, coupled with both rich and dry malts, and leather. The overall feel of this beer is rather incredible, which give the beer so much appeal. It possesses a unique heartiness, approachability, and deeply warming sensation put together with the near perfect amount of alcohol and TLC.

Yes, I finally tried it! On my trip to Europe, when we went to Belgium. Yes it is everything everyone says it is. Though it is third on my list (blasphemy?). I think the Westy 8 was better, as well as the Andech’s Doppelbock. Anyway, I can’t add anymore that hasn’t already been said except great beer.

aroma is stinging, prickly blend of vinous qualities, deep caramel and stone fruits. pour is further reminiscent of pit fruits and echoes prune juices hazy, deep maple color. flavor is quick blast of booze that starts sweet and warms on the finish. sideways glances of warm nuts with an almost candied aspect fly alongside raisins that have been exposed to a touch of char and some hint of cocoa or its derivatives. this is world class no question and certainly better then st. bernardus abt 12, but in comparison to rochefort 10 not necessarily shattering. big thanks to pat at RG binnys for this gem!

[bottle-thanks, fonefan!] Complex aroma that is slightly vinous with a fair share of dried fruit: raisins, apricots, currants; plus some walnuts, brown sugar, and ethanol. Hazy very dark brown under a lasting beige sheet. Complex but well balanced flavour that contains all of the aromatics detected in the nose along with some coffee/mocha and hints of liquorice. The bitterness is assertive and contrapuntal to the warm alcohol and sweet molasses. Medium body, medium carbonation, sweet and slighty bitter finish.