 desurfer (1037), Pinellas Park, Florida, USA
Jan 28, 2004 Updated: Jan 30, 2004
I've been waiting for this for a long time, and finally got some thanks to The_Beer_God. I hope that the beer can live up to the hype and my anticipation of trying it. For starters, I love the humble, unlabeled bottle. Pours a deep ruby with a big rocky tan head. Aroma is not overpowering but very interesting. Yeast, pepper, wood, and raisins are there. Flavor is incredibly smooth, with little carbonation. The initial taste is peppery, then a sweetness comes on which finishes in a warm dryness in the back of the mouth. There is a distinct bread/yeast character. Wow, I just keep noticing more as I drink. After it's done, a hoppy bite develops. This is a very subtle and enjoyable beer.
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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