Westvleteren Extra 8

Dark brown with a nice head, but also a lot of yeast (the transport must have been a bit too shaky). Aroma of caramel, prunes and perhaps a bit of nuts. Flavor is first of dark fruit, then there is a bitterness and then again the dark fruit such as prunes and raisens - a sweet finish.

Bottle. Stored for about one year. Brown color with hints of red. Beige shrinking head that leaves some fine lacing. Aroma: Sweet and toasted malt, yeast, spices, raisins, plums, apples, and brown sugar. Taste: Sweet and a bit toasted, tea, spices, coffee, licorice, plums, raisins, apples, toffee, honey, chocolate, light alcohol. A bit of hop bitterness towards the end makes a fine balance. Medium bodied, but very creamy. Complex.

1 year old bottle. A pleasant surprise from a good friend. Poured dark copper with a wonderful creamy head. Nose was bread pudding with a bit of dirt, sand, raisins and caramel. Body followed with similar flavors adding a pleasant minerality that was well tamed. Mouthfeel was slightly viscous but still fresh and lively with carbonation. Overall an extremely well balanced, very well executed effort. I will remember this one.

This beer is often overshadowed by it’s big brother the 12 but I believe this one is the shining star of the Sint Sixtus abbey. I still give the 12 a 5 because I think it is perfection of it’s style, But this one is the best beer I have had to date. It’s creamy and slightly sweet and everything that I love in a beer.

Thanks cmubeerman, 2+ year old bottle. Creamy head, ruddy chestnut color. Aroma of figs, dates, caramel and toffee. Smooth and round, lightly tart. Had side-by-side with Westy 12; this is much drier. Less fruit, less boozy, and a dusty finish. Nutty. World class without a doubt.