 JorisPPattyn (4492), Antwerpen, Belgium
May 1, 2003
VERTICAL TASTING WESTVLETEREN 12. Beer A: recently purchased, BBd:07/02/06, 10.2 ABV, Beer B: BBd:17/04/99, 11 ABV, Beer C: purchased 10/87, "Cat. S", no BBd, no ABV mentioned. Points above are for the youngest version, beer A.
Colour: (A) dark brown, reddish shine, thick brown head; (B)deep dark brown, reddish shine, hazy. Slight brown head, disappearing. [4]; (C) deep brown with reddish shine, no head [[3]]. Nose: (A) dark malts, blue cheese, wood, restrained hops; (B) creamy, dark malts, dried dark plums, chocolate, some madeirisation, biscuits [9];(C) caramel, portwine or madeira, cow dung (truly!), vineous, raisins, chocolate [[9]]. Taste: (A) roasted & dark malts reign. Excess sweetness is gone already, but enough sweetness left, chocolate cake; (B) roasted malts, chocolate cake, biscuit, crème de noix, walnut oil, madeira, dried fruit, vineous [9]; (C) portwine, old sweet Sauternes, vintage sherry, woody, dark, ripe fruit, restrained sweetness, slight roasted malts [[9]]. Mouthfeel: (A) very chewy, complex; (B) very chewy, extremely complex, alcohol [5]; (C) thinner mouthfeel, drier, infinitely complex, fusel alcohols [[5]] Aftertaste: (A) long lasting chocolate, sense of fulfillment; (B) big fruity aftertaste, full of tantalising glimpses of forbidden fruits [Overall:19]; (C) more old sherry-like aftertaste, but again, infinitely complex [[Overall:19]] It is obvious that the older this beer gets, the more complex it becomes. BBdates are bleedin' nonsense in this kind of beverage. I think the beer (B) is the youngest one should drink it. The difference between (A) and (C) is hughe, yet both are, qualitatively speaking, world-class.
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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