St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

PirateUlf73

Illinois

4.95/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750 ml bottle, poured into a chalice.

A: Hazy dark-brown color with a decent off-white head, which had amazing staying power.

S: Wonderfully complex nose of sweet caramel, dark fruits (plums, dates and figs), spices (clove, coriander and nutmeg), and some yeasty goodness. So much going on.

T: All the olfactory components merge into the flavors, and then some. It's almost like drinking a fine red wine. Everything comes together so perfectly. My favorite part is the strong malty backbone which ties everything together. Absolutely magnificent!

M: The feel is very smooth and creamy. My only knock against this beer is that there is perhaps just a bit too much carbonation for my liking. However, it bothered me less as I made my way through the bottle.

D: This one should be enjoyed slowly, so as to expose and contemplate all the flavors.

This beer is damn near perfect... period. At the time of this writing, it is my favorite Belgian, and while I do enjoy others, they pale in comparison, at least in terms of sheer complexity and grace. Mandatory drinking. You MUST try this at least once.

Serving type: bottle

06-27-2009 06:40:10 | More by PirateUlf73

Gargamel92886

California

5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-25-2013 19:09:04 | More by Gargamel92886

Janeinma

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -16.1%

05-25-2013 15:18:20 | More by Janeinma

WKole81

Illinois

5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-25-2013 12:31:36 | More by WKole81

jtladner

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -16.1%

05-25-2013 11:30:26 | More by jtladner

jaweed1

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-25-2013 01:48:51 | More by jaweed1

JasonTaverner

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-25-2013 01:24:25 | More by JasonTaverner

CBPAS

New York

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-25-2013 00:55:12 | More by CBPAS

mdavidson

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-25-2013 00:47:20 | More by mdavidson

Dirksen

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-24-2013 19:23:05 | More by Dirksen

robertmitchum

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-24-2013 09:49:43 | More by robertmitchum

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.68/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

A- Reddish brown, one finger of white head that settles down fairly quick

S- Caramel, dark fruits, cherry's, and a little Belgium yeast

T- Dried fruits, little sweetness, roasted malts came through

M- Medium bodied, high carbonation, very smooth, barely any bitterness

O- Very good beer, very complex, the different dark fruits makes it really good, little sweetness, roasted malts, very easy drinking and good balance

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 04:41:07 | More by Kmat10

deereless

Colorado

4.31/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Head dropped quick quickly, deep rust to dark brown in color, looks a little flaccid – 3.75, S: Nose is dry and chalky with a candied pineapple aroma, some dry cherries and faint figs, subtle sweetness from some fragrant malts and minor sourdough bread – 4.25, T: Extremely dry and with medium alcohol burn, significant candied sugar which provides defined sweetness, prunes, figs and cloves, touch of carob, lots going on in this beer – 4.50, M: Medium mouthfeel with a dry effervescence, sharp tongue – 4.00, D: Very complex, extremely drinkable for a 10% beer - 4.25

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 01:59:00 | More by deereless

IHyphySF

California

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-24-2013 00:32:46 | More by IHyphySF

Zachtheporter

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-23-2013 22:54:37 | More by Zachtheporter

thegoon55

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-23-2013 22:04:13 | More by thegoon55

DRTBrewster

Arizona

5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-23-2013 21:45:11 | More by DRTBrewster

kvnstfrd

Missouri

3/5  rDev -32.9%

05-23-2013 04:53:34 | More by kvnstfrd

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-23-2013 01:29:31 | More by mikeincharleston

Stickler

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-23-2013 00:20:44 | More by Stickler

velcrogrip

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-22-2013 18:31:35 | More by velcrogrip

ACY73

California

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-22-2013 18:05:39 | More by ACY73

tipfortap

New York

4.69/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

5 words to describe it: Clove, Plum, Carob, Brown Bread, Boozy

Paired it with: Nothing. (Okay, like three dark chocolate covered peanuts.)

Should have paired it with: Super rich brie, smoked meat

Drink it if you like: Superlative beer. Shiraz, American Strong Ales, Bourbon

A few other thoughts: Instead of finishing with a lingering sweetness, this finishes with a little bit of the 10% ABV, and paired with a very prickly carbonation, it balances out into a pretty much perfect beer that works alone and would also pair brilliantly with food.

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2013 17:58:18 | More by tipfortap

MBlakeshow16

Illinois

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-22-2013 06:38:11 | More by MBlakeshow16

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-22-2013 03:29:30 | More by SmellsofMahagony