 badgerben (3160), Blaine, Minnesota, USA
Sep 20, 2004 Updated: Jan 13, 2007
Re-Rate Jan 13, 2006: Many thanks to JK for sharing the holy grail. Now my original rating was pretty down on this beer and though my opinion has gone up, I still do not think it is the "end all be all". Still the same murky brown color with a thin tan head. Aroma is outstanding. A complex blend of herbs, spices and dark fruits. The taste is great, yet subdued. Velvety grape, sweet malt and Noble hops. Very fine, but to compare with Rochefort 10, much of the taste is the same yet much more subtle. While subtle can be a good thing, in this case, I think it robs the beer of true greatness. Original rating Sept. 20, 2004: Pours a dark amber color with no head. Looks beautiful, like a scotch or brandy! Aroma is... a little bland. Just a few hints of barley for the upcomming joy. Oh well, first sip! ... What? Where the hell is the flavor? This has mild hits of barley and malt with a bit of spice and bread, but barely recognizeable! Don’t get me wrong, this is a decent brew. The best in the world? Are you kidding me? The monks who are bottling this bland beer and eventually peddling it to me at $8 a bottle are laughing all the way to the bank. What a joke. 7-4-6-3-13/3.3.
xpimptastikx (21), Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 7, 2008 No beer is perfect, but this is damn close. Perfectly balanced. Sweet, malty, and slightly hoppy. Every time I sipped it I tasted a new fruit. A complexity that keeps you drinking, and finishing the beer quicker than you’d want. The Abbey experience is one in its own as well. Everyone should try this beer at least once.
Koen890 (2), Vilvoorde, Belgium
does not count  Oct 7, 2008 This is the very best beer I ever had
All beer lovers should try it!
too bad it is hard to get
Swolf3 (83), 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.
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