St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

YaKnowBrady

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -10.5%

02-11-2012 18:07:06 | More by YaKnowBrady

nzerbe

New York

3.75/5  rDev -16.1%

05-19-2013 16:42:59 | More by nzerbe

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-19-2013 15:09:03 | More by ShawnMH

MJSJr

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-19-2013 15:06:50 | More by MJSJr

SpruceMoose

Australia

4.55/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

When it comes to Belgian beers, most of us see it as, mainly, a dichotomy between Trappist beers and Abbey beers. We love our Chimay and La Trappe, but also our Leffe. However, one of the more legendary examples of Abbey brewing brilliance, the St. Bernardus Abt 12, adds heavy weight to the argument between the two produces of beer as to who should be revered as the greatest producer of quality Belgian beer. Who would've thought that beer could be so divided by religion?

Serving Type: 330 ml bottle, along with its characteristic smiling bishop, poured slowly into a Grimbergen goblet.

Appearance: The slow pour produces a thick head, neither white nor cream, which retains itself with remarkable precision. Beneath it the body sports a deep copper or ruby red colour. Bubbles can be seen quickly rising beneath the head that cling to the glass and add to this beer's remarkable appeal.

Smell: Aromas of fruit, honey, toffee, caramel, nuttiness, chocolate and darker malts enchant the senses. Bewdeful.

Taste: Toffee and bittering hops are immediately noticeable, followed by an even sweeter malt finish. The head is delightfully creamy and an absolute pleasure to sip through. The alcohol is not well masked with a booziness noticeable after the swallow, although the 10% ABV strength enables me to forgive Brouwerij St. Bernardus for this very minor flaw.

Mouthfeel: Bold and dense; everything you'd expect from a Belgian abbey ale. The soft, marshmallow texture of the head contrasts beautifully to the thickness of the body. Carbonation is consistent and not overwhelming.

Overall: An absolute treat for quadruppel aficionados or even those who are mildly interested in delving deeper into the Belgian beer scene. St. Bernardus serves as a brilliant winter warmer on those cold nights with its robust taste and glowing warmth. I would actively seek this out again, for having just one of these would be akin to the highest of sins and would probably result in me being tried in front of some Benedictine court for my gross blasphemy. Oh well - at least they'd have good beer for me there.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 11:03:17 | More by SpruceMoose

haknort

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-19-2013 03:31:58 | More by haknort

Dennycurr

Pennsylvania

4.34/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great Belgian beer!
Period!

Has a distinct taste and feels like a real beer. Of course,,,it's Belgian.
Nothing in America tastes like this....tho...they all try....and to a degree...do well.
However....there is nothing like the real deal. .
Have had it on tap and, many times in bottle. I love them both. Am fortunate that it is around a bit, unlike, other Belgians----where one has to seek them out. It isn't easy to find....but it is less hard to find than others.

The head is magnificant when poured correctly. When I bring this beer home---I pour it into a Chimay chalice and...whew....does it look good! The taste is even better. Is rich and dark and very satisfying. Every sip.

Have seen this compared to Rochfort 10's...
Not a bad comparison.

Love this beer!

Den

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 01:07:15 | More by Dennycurr

sh00ky

Hawaii

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-19-2013 00:29:22 | More by sh00ky

akang

California

3.74/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 330 mL bottle into a tulip.

A: Dark reddish/brown with a little bit of head that settles down fairly quickly.

S: Hints of caramel and dark fruits (primarily cherries for me).

T: The dark fruits come through first followed by a little nuttiness. However, I was disappointed by the finish as there is a noticeable booziness that lingers.

M: Nicely carbonated and pleasing to the tongue.

O: A solid quad that is widely available, but I personally think the Rochefort 10 is better.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 21:12:54 | More by akang

Kreko7

California

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-18-2013 17:26:47 | More by Kreko7

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-18-2013 16:48:05 | More by eyeenjoybeer

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-18-2013 12:12:55 | More by NJB145

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from a 330 ml bottle into a St. Bernardus chalice.

A: This quad pours a murky brown with some ruby hues. Upon pouring there is a small head, but this dissolves quickly leaving a small wisp and some lacing.

S: Dried fruits are prominent, and the lovely smell of Belgian yeasts are present as well.

T: The dried fruits come forward, a sweet taste but not overpoweringly so. The yeast can be tasted as well and you can certainly notice the alcohol on this beer.

M: The carbonation is good, and the beer leaves a nice feeling.

O: This is a superior example of a quad. In the same wheelhouse as Rochefort 10, it has a great flavour and body. This just confirms to me my preference for abbey beers. I would highly recommend this beer to anyone who wants an example of a quad.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 11:31:01 | More by polloenfuego

hotsudge

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-18-2013 01:57:44 | More by hotsudge

GinsuDave

Michigan

5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-18-2013 01:10:09 | More by GinsuDave

TheConnMan

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-17-2013 19:03:06 | More by TheConnMan

EricClayton

West Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-17-2013 19:01:56 | More by EricClayton

hsaye

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 18:42:59 | More by hsaye

athesing10

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 14:01:25 | More by athesing10

Glider

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 13:38:37 | More by Glider

lndsy

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-17-2013 13:01:50 | More by lndsy

chossboss

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-17-2013 04:28:22 | More by chossboss

myersk27

Indiana

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-17-2013 03:50:18 | More by myersk27

Dave7500kl

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-16-2013 23:35:24 | More by Dave7500kl

Blashawright

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-16-2013 22:23:05 | More by Blashawright