 jjpm74 (3087), Stratford, CT 06614, Connecticut, USA
May 1, 2005 Updated: Feb 21, 2007
After walking by my secret stash of Westvleteren bottles for about a year, I figured this past Saturday was a good time to finally sit down and rate them. Pours out brown with a small tan head that lingers throughout the tasting creating gentle patterns of lacing on the chalice. Smell is of bananas, butterscotch, raisins, prunes, and toffee. Taste is of nuts, caramel, apples, celery and licorice. Excellent mouthfeel with a great amount of carbonation despite the small head brought forth by the pour. Each taste seems to linger in the mouth for an eternity.
1986 bottle sampled 2/1/07
Pours flat with only a sparse hint of bubbles one might find in a glass of wine. Smells of alcohol, dark fruit, oak, leather, hints of vanilla. Tastes of chewy toffee, caramel, bourbon, raisins, chocolate and oak. No sherry notes to speak of which is a surprise and a testament to this beer. Subtle elements of spice are present and with only a hint of warming alcohol, this is dangerously drinkable. Finishes with some celery and lots of rich chocolate. Palate is reminiscent of maple syrup and is rich and velvety. This was a surprising treat, but as good as it is at 21, it is definitely past its prime and is best enjoyed at 1, 5 or even 10 years old.
Swolf3 (79), Elkton, Maryland, USA
Oct 4, 2008 Bottle. Poured deep dark brown with nice thick cream colored head. Aroma was raisins, dark fruits, and slight alcohol smell. Taste was complex, dark fruits, sweet, very smooth. finished nice and taste lingered but pleasant.
Moosington (7), Costa Mesa, California, USA
does not count  Oct 2, 2008 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.
frankhedman (2), , Sweden
does not count Oct 2, 2008 Incredible beer, but drinking it at "In de vrede" in Westvleteren gives a impression that it’s hard to forget.
plovmand (672), Helsinge, Denmark
Oct 2, 2008 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.
lithy (200), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Sep 30, 2008 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.
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