Westvleteren Extra 8

Brewed by Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Westvleteren, Belgium

Bottle courtesy of Joseph Redner the 3rd. Finally got to try this one. Bruised plum colored body with cherry highlights. Tan head, about 1.5 fingers thick, dense and great spiderweb lacing. Lasts for quite a while, resolves to a thick foamy ring. Nose of bourbon soaked cherries, plums, caramel, fresh baked bread, nutmeg and cola. Flavor is more of the same, sweet dark fruits, spices, cherries, bourbon, man this tastes even better than it smells, and that’s saying a whole lot. Mouthfeel is awesome, thick and viscous, coats the tongue on each sip, like a fine liquor would. Finish is lengthy, cola, bread dough, dark fruits and spices ride out into the night. Not as refined or sophisticated as it’s big brother, but still a damn good beer, and the highlight of a very impressive tasting. I want more.

Appearance: Dark brown, pours a nice head that lingers. Not so much as the 12, but definitely a solid head. Aroma: The aroma is phenomenal. I’m literally getting chills smelling it. It’s like a smooth, vanilla bean maltiness with a hint of dark plum/cherry. It’s gotta note of bubblegum too it as well. Very similar to the 12 if I recall correctly. Might have to do a side by side with the other bottle. Flavor: Hold on, I have to prepare myself mentally..... ok, here I go. First thing that comes is the roast. Not overpowering, but strong and exact... no astringincy, no harshness, almost smokey. Fruitiness is less than in the 12. A solid malt presence, but pretty dry. behind the malt and roast is a string of tart, nut, bubblegum, touch of alcohol and light hop flavor. Mouthfeel: Wonderful creaminess, fully carbed Overall: Excellent beer, one of the best, but not as good as the 12. The aroma was easily the best part, it was delicious, but the flavor seemed a little seperated. I think it needs age, according to the cap it was bottled pretty recently.... in fact, now that I’m looking at it, I think it was bottled 3 weeks ago! Yikes! I just drank it green! EDIT: OK, as it warms the flavors really start to meld a little better... still not as good as the 12 though :wink: I really feel like an ass for drinking it so young too

Courtesy of CigarCityBrew. Pours dark brown with some haziness to go along with a tan head. It has a big aroma of strawberries, raspberries, sweet rich Dr. Pepper notes and sugar drenched black currents. The taste is sweet and also tart with notes ranging from raspberry, strawberry, sweet dark grapes, plums, prunes and sugar coated apricots. It has a tart fruit edge to it. Seems a bit like Struise Pannepot, which is very good. All the flavor notes mix nicely and seem well melded.

0.33l bottle from Cambrinus Brugge. Pours deep, dark brown with a creamy head. Taste is very complex, tons of sweet chocolate, raisens, malt, caramel and fruit flavours, lasting sweet aftertase. Truly enjoyable. The best beer I’ve had the chance to try.

Bottle courtesy CigarCityBrew. Pours brown with ruby highlights and a one finger light tan head that leaves good lacing. Aroma of sweet malt, sweet caramel, cola, and dark fruit. Taste is the same as aroma. Medium mouthfeel with a mild amount of bitterness and smooth alcohol. Very good.

Bottled(330ml). -Courtesy of heavy (huge thanks!!!), shared with him and Doggythedog.
Murky dark brown coloured, medium sized tan head, slight caramel nose. The taste is very malty, fruity and pleasant spicy with nice notes of chocolate, plums and toffee. Also some notes of almonds, chocolate and warming alcohol in the long finish. Excellent brew just like Abt 12, but is Westvleteren Blond from the same family?

07/06 0.33 l bottle from belgianshop.com. Poured murky brown body with medium sized ocher head. Bit salty aroma, similar to it’s cousin Blond, but now with much more yeast and caramel malt which breaks through. Flavor is very nice, malty and yeasty. Complex, here we have full range of flavors, chocolate and caramel dominating, with some plums, berries, bitterish coffee, roasted sugar, ending with some slightly vinous components. Alcohol is very well hidden, can just be hinted. Finish is long and very pleasant, sweet chocolate and caramel. Great beer largely ruined by its strange aroma.

Tried this with many thanks to Greig! Pours a ruddish brown hue with a voluptuous off white head. Sweet Plums, dark fruit cake and bread on the nose, very full mouthfeel with a continuation of the fruity theme on the palate. The beer is rounded off by a tight, almond dry bitter finish that stops the beer becoming sickly. A great beer!