Westvleteren 12

Bottle at Kulminator in Antwerp. It’s been a few months, but this beer stayed with me. Thought I would never find this bar, but a local took me after Holland beat France in Euro 2008. To the beer. Pours a very rich mahogany-brown with a yellow-beige head that lacks no staying power. Lacing was fantastic, but no better than the 8. Nose was of earthy fruits, figs, prune and raisins. Akin to a fine port but so much better. Flavor starts with rich fruit and spice with noticeable yeast. I paid a little extra for the 2006, so the alcohol settled a bit in the finish, but it was still there. This was my first experience with a Westy (We had the 8 too) but it met all of my expectations, and considering the setting, it has been the finest beer experience of my life to date.

Incredible beer, but drinking it at "In de vrede" in Westvleteren gives a impression that it’s hard to forget.

Bottle. Poured hazy dark reddish brown with a medium beige head that leaves fine lacings in the glass. Ripe fruit like prunes and raisins in aroma as well as sweet rum, dark molasses and fig. Smooth creamy mouthfeel. Flavour is ripe fruit again, spices, cloves, bread, but also lots of alcohol which I didnt remember from the other Westy 12’s a had years ago. Im sure some cellaring with get that straight. Overall its fantastic. A master piece only many many years of experience can provide.

Lots of sediment stays in suspension. Deep still brown with a very slight off white head that disappears quickly to a ring. Some orange hints in the light. Dark fruity aromas, candi sugar, and a cool alcohol bite in the nostrils. Heavy bodied smooth on the tongue and cool tingling carbonation. Amazing dried fruits has a tart maltiness and even a pretty good hop/bitter malt bite. This potion envelops the tongue and will linger forever. Plums, currants, black cherries, hides the alcohol well but hints slip through to warm your throat at the very end.

Aroma is wildly delicious - sweet figs in honey, toffee, an immediately noticeable vinous presence, rum sugars, candied dates. A rich, fresh maple syrup is announced. Pour is deep chestnut brown with a small, cobwebby beige head. A highly-anticipated first sip. This has the round, chewy malt of St. Bernardus 12, but has a richer fruit presence and is more refined. Creamy, wonderful mouthfeel. Just beautifully balanced and well-crafted. As with Rochefort, an impression of overripe banana makes itself known. This is fucking amazing. A brilliant spicy note, like cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom swirl about the dark fruits and rich, deep alcoholic sugars. I don’t know if I’’ve ever enjoyed a bottle of beer this much. If my tooth wasn’t hurting I probably would have enjoyed it even more. Thanks Brad, I owe you.

A very dark brown pour, with a touch of ruby highlights. Surprisingly dark, moreso than I was expecting. A two finger head, pale tan / offwhite, nice and sticky, good retention. I was quite pleasantly surprised by the size of the head on here, especially considering the ABV. A ton of dark fruit, sweet candi sugar scents, almost caramel like, too. A smoky, and woody quality, kinda oak like. Sugary dark fruit... A very notable raisin, fig, and date flavour. A warm, alcohol flavour... A little sweet, a little tart, a little peppery/spicy. A nice earthiness, smokiness, leather and tobacco. A lot going on, and beautifully balanced. Certainly my favourite of the trappists, and a very fine abbey ale. Big, rich, and round feel. A nice, fizzle of carbonation over the tongue, swirled through the mouth, and easing to soft and smooth on the finish, leaving the warmth and rich flavour on the finish. An excellent beer, and unfortunate to only have one bottle. It drinks incredibly smooth and soft, with an excellent sense of satisfaction after a glass. It has certainly secured a place among the best of the best, and well worth seeking out to try. Almost frighteningly drinkable, and perhaps the closest thing to perfection that I have tasted.

It has a cloudy brown colour with a creamy head. Aroma of hazelnut, nut and chestnut. Full-bodied and very complex.

nightcap for emily. she kindly shared it with me... long blonde hair, deep clear blue eyes, wonderfully soft skin and looks just beautifull asleep on my couch... and the beer? :-) it’s westy 12! Gorgeous stuff, but no competition ;-)