Westvleteren 12

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

Serve in Trappist glass

FINALLY! Only took 800...or so...beers to get my filthy mits on a bottle of this. Was fortunate enough to share it with a mate, whose parents got a gift pack with 2 glasses and a bottle from a shop near the monastry itself. Needless to say, it’s been long anticipated! I’m presented with a hazy mahogany brown beer. The inch or so of head is very dense, slightly beige, clinging on tightly to the glass on its descent. The nose is quite intense and complex; dried apricots, raisin, fig, brown sugar, grain husk, undertones of chocolate, clove and peppery spice. Relatively low carbonation for a Belgian. Very creamy on the palate, excellent weight; not too heavy, well balanced, certainly not much indication of that abv. Deeply complex, and i’d say, unique flavour; rich dried fruits prominant with dates, figs, apricots, sultanas, prunes. There also seems to be a fair bit of hop flavour to it with some floral notes, and earthy spice and vanilla. Malts play their hand in amongst the lengthy palate with chocolate, bread and burnt caramels lingering. Bitterness higher than I was expecting, certainly enough to balance out the sweetness. Well worth the wait; definately one of those beers the more you look, the more you see; an experience for the tastebuds. I think my only objection is it is not nearly as smooth and luscious, and wickedly rich, as its Rochefort counterpart, which will remain my favourite, for now. Amazing beer, regardless.

My 1000th rate. Bottle via trade with phaleslu, thanks again Peter!!! Pours murky brown with a 1-2 finger, creamy light tan head that has excellent retention and leaves awesome lacing. Aroma is dark fruit, candi sugar, earth, mild chocolate, woody vinous notes, dark caramel, nutty notes and a touch of roast. Flavor is dark fruit, chocolate, earth, candi sugar, woody vinous notes a touch of maple, husky grain, rich caramel syrup, toasted grain, and... I ran out of beer to keep up, delicious and ridiculously complex. Palate is medium to heavy bodied, creamy throughout and has a strong, yet soft carbonation. This is an extremely, ridiculously amazing beer.

A bottle I received from the generous Bert in a beer trade. When opening the box of goodies the last one I pulled out was the Westy 12 and I was completely floored. I enjoyed this one with company for a special occasion. It poured a dark hazy brown with a medium tan head that simmered down to a thin film. The aroma was sweet, dark malt fruit shine. I think raisins was the only flavor I could pick out, though it was much thinner than I expected. Fine perfect bitterness in the finish. There is nothing wrong here that I can see. It is not my favorite style of beer but I’m hard pressed to find anything wrong with it at all. Bert you are the man!!! Thank you! (months later)

Rocky brown head fading to a thin layer of foam. Steady carbonation. Unique and wonderful aroma with dough, spice, sugar, caramel, dark raisin, and some more subtle smells I cannot place. Smells very inviting. Taste is way more spice and flavor (candied sugar, dates, and the slightest burn from the alcohol on the finish) than the aroma with a ridiculously creamy feel in the mouth and a slight prick from the carbonation.

Rare & Famous beer from the monk of St. Sixtus! 33cl Bottle at the monk bar in front of the abbey. A dark brown strong ale/quad with a good head, served in the right glass! Aroma is a full of tofee, caramel, cookie, a bit of chocolate. Medium sweetness, full body, creamy, with toffee again on palate and red fruit, chocolate caramel. A full full body beer :D very long final! To try before die.

A very subtle beer. The appearance makes you think that’s it’s really full, but that’s not the case. I was initially disappoint in the taste but grew to appreciate it as I drank more.

Finally had the oppertunity to devour a bottle of the holy grail of beers...aged 2 years mind you. I tried hard to have low expectations since a lot of Belgians beers have been letting me down lately. Better too to be pleasantly surprised than let down. Let down? That didn’t happen. A: Medium dark brown with decent head. S: From the moment the bottle was cracked open...the aroma was so strong, it filled the room and made my mouth start watering. Very strong Belgian strong dark ale/quad smell. Lots of dark sweet malts and fruits. A slight wine smell on the backside. T: Just like the smell. Very complex. Tons of dark overripe fruits, sugars, slight booze, smooth. I wish Westy 12 came in a 750ml, so tasty and easy to drink, it’s gone before you know it. Don’t pass up an oppertunity to try Westvleteren 12 atleast once in your lifetime!

Deceptive appearance (looks richer flavoured than it is). Lots of flavours present, none dominating. Palate also not extreme in any direction, although my preference is for more lively carbonation. Rating is based on a 50ml sample (thanks SM and MM). Would like to try a full 330ml bottle.