 JK (2479), Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
May 8, 2004 Updated: Oct 27, 2007
Rerate 1/12/2007. More complex than I remember it. This bottle had an "05" on the cap; I’m not sure if that is the "best by" date or not but if this was old, it has aged very well. The alcohol is completely hidden. The aroma is full with plums, oranges, sweet white wine. Flavor is outstanding as well. Lots of sweet malt, and more fruit. There is a vinous quality, some yeast, wheat, fermenting fruits, apple. Cloudy brown appearance, not much of a head and low carbonation. When the bottle is held up to the light, I can see the sediment. When in the glass it is too dark and murky to see any sediment. Thick and heavy palate. I had this bottle so long I almost didn’t want to drink it, but I’m happy a few other people had the opportunity to try it. ------------------This beer is too complex to do the rating justice from my first bottle.
Aromas of malt, coffee, tea, and flowers. Dark brown, a huge white head, and brown sediment. Flavors of coffee, malt, and an herbal taste. Full bodied, but less so than I expected. Very smooth and easy to drink; the high abv is not noticeable in the taste.
A very fine beer.
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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