Westvleteren Extra 8

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

~1998 Vintage

3/26/2009: Oh man, the aroma on this Westvleteren 8 (blue cap) is awesome. Sweet, caramel, port, slightly oxidized (not necessarily a bad thing), dates, unknown fruit and dark fruit. Wow. The flavor is awesome too! I hate to say it, but I actually like this more than that Westy 12 that Brad also recently shared. It has a very sugary caramel maltiness (think KRE ’04), vineous and port-like with tons of complex flavors that are so difficult to pick out, including plum?, dates?, black cherry, all accompanied by just the right amount of alcohol and oxidation. The aroma is outstanding right now. Damn, this beer is EXCELLENT and just perfect right now.

33 cl bottle (Alc 8% Vol) graciously shared by alexsdad06. Thanks a ton. I appreciate it! Rating #1009 for this beer.

Like the 12, but not so tasty!

Bottle brought to me from my Uncle John shipped back from Monk’s in Philadelphia. A reddish brown murky color with an off-white laced patchy head. The aroma has a sparkling zest with red vinous fruits (ala Rodenbach), alcohol, lemon, citrus, and grapefruit, but these aromas do not carry over as much into the flavor which is darker and richer than the aroma would suggest. The Westvleteren 8 is drier than the 12 and has more discernable peppery, banana, and malty flavors in addition to the dark fruits. I like the aroma of the 8 better than the 12 but everything else is a notch down (but still exceptional). Medium body and somewhat edgier than the 12 with more carbonation.

Very large tightly beaded head that was light tan in colour and left chunks of lacing down the side of the glass. Dark in colour the body was deep red and tawny. Rich dried fruit aroma. Velvety smooth mouthfeel, this ale is an excellent drop, the taste is of caramel, meaty, nuts, chocolate, soft spice also some burnt characters but not one flavour out doing another then a hint of thin-ness so as to make it not overbearing. Best drunk at what we "Aussies" would term as "almost warm". Cheers!

Body is a perfect ruddy brown, eggplantish, edging on violet, lovely, rich and full color, and the head is large, slowly to simmer down, off-whitish. Aroma : good Lord, it’s perfect, rich and raisiny, strong, spicy, very lively, ...what are they mixing in those monasteries? It’s a magical bouquet, is what I say!Oh,to sniff it anew is another pleasure, and now, I can’t hold back, it’s time to drink the damned thing! OHMYGOD!!! I’ve raved about the works of the brothers of St. Sixtus before, but GOOD GOD JESUS!!! This is mystifying, uplifting, magical, amazing! Can I be more specific? No...Energizing is the best adjective, the beer is so lively it makes everything it comes in contact with livelier! This apparently belongs to the style "Belgian Abbey Dubbel", but on consuming 1/2 of one small bottle, I know now that this beer puts all the others to shame! There is fruit, and dazzling hops, and malt, and tantalizing texture, but the thing that sets this apart, if there is such a thing, is unknowable. I had a Belgian Abbey Dubbel tonight from a very reputable source, and it was nice, but not magical. This ..this ...it transports ones senses to new realms, higher planes of appreciation! If I’m getting lofty, forgive me, please, but know that every word is true..I don’t know how they do what they do, but they do! This is the ultimate! I’m joining the cloister, too, if means getting close to beer this fine and lovely! Here’s to all the monks, toiling for our sins, and crafting this exceptional, gorgeous, transcendental work!

Aroma of raisins, figs, malt, molasses. Gorgeous appearance, deep ruby with exciting haze of yeast and a good, lasting head. Flavor is of raisins, figs, touch of chocolate and toffee. Complex, but still very drinkable. Palate just the slightest bit on the rough side. A superior beer.

Complex malty aroma. Vinous, chocolate notes. Maybe some smoked malts in there as well. Smokiness, maltiness, bittersweet, and smooth. Great aroma. This is quality, but I do not think of it as highly as my predecessors. Has a slightly cloudy amber/mahogany with a light tan head for appearance.

12.07.04 330ml bottle dated ?7.12.02 Clouded and dark brown with red highlights and hunks of love. Lovely and scrumptous aromas -- applesauce and mango chutney, eiswine -- deep and soft, layered. Slight peppery and allspice undertones with a solid and sweet brown sugary malt backbone. Finish is long and smooth with just the slightest tingle across the palate. Despite its complexity and ABV, it’s quite refreshing, too.