 wetherel (1033), Carlsbad, California, USA
Nov 7, 2007 Updated: Apr 17, 2008
Tried at Pizza Port Carlsbad with Shaun. Bottle from ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad! Side by side comparison with St. Berny 12 and Rochefort 10 (11.3%). Many similarities between the 3. Westy is a little darker than the Berny. Berny has a little more banana aroma. Westy aroma gets nicer as it warms up, revealing more malty aromas. Westy a bit more cloudy. Dark brown color. A little more carbonation in the Berny. Berny had a best by date of May, 3rd, 2012. Westy had no date. I can’t help but think the Westy is young. It almost reminds me of a slightly aged St. Bernardus. This is the second time I’ve had Westy 12. The first was with Jon (WeeHeavySD) at OBrien’s Trappist Ale tasting. I remember the Westy being spectacular, and probably much older...something like 4-6 years old. This time it was just good, much less than my expectations. Must rerate again someday. I still have one in the closet to rate next year. 8,4,9,4,18: 4.3
4/12/08:rerate. bottle from ygtbsm94 with non beer geek friends. Completely awesome. 4:8.
Swolf3 (78), 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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