St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

dasenebler

Maine

4.7/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a deep mahogany brown. Lots of head-- light and creamy. Aroma is not too strong, but you definitely sense the alcohol along with some dark fruit and light roastiness.

Flavor is fantastic-- more bitter and less sweet than I expected. You definitely get the full fruity flavor that is characteristic of these Belgians, with grapes and raisins. Delicious roasted and malty aftertaste, like sweet coffee. Kind of buttery as well, with a thick toffee-like malt character. Very rich. Smooth, creamy and yet slightly syrupy mouthfeel. Fine and lively carbonation. Obvious alcohol and a pleasant warming effect.

This is one of the classic Quads and closesly related to Westy, at least historically speaking, as St. Bernardus used to brew the Westvleteren 12 before 1992.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2008 20:42:12 | More by dasenebler

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

Busker

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-21-2013 17:57:35 | More by Busker

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-21-2013 04:09:56 | More by CosmoHopHead

ek_ek

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-21-2013 03:51:28 | More by ek_ek

Stoutamus-Maximus

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-21-2013 00:30:04 | More by Stoutamus-Maximus

powz87

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -16.1%

05-20-2013 17:19:05 | More by powz87

kwkdmk

Louisiana

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

05-20-2013 12:06:22 | More by kwkdmk

thampel09

New Jersey

5/5  rDev +11.9%

05-20-2013 03:46:49 | More by thampel09

assman79

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-20-2013 01:44:34 | More by assman79

HALB

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-20-2013 01:43:07 | More by HALB

crwrunner

Virginia

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-20-2013 01:31:24 | More by crwrunner

educorgan

Portugal

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%

05-19-2013 23:18:50 | More by educorgan

DMB

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-19-2013 22:55:44 | More by DMB

lancecenter

Texas

4/5  rDev -10.5%

05-19-2013 20:09:16 | More by lancecenter

aty11b

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%

05-19-2013 19:44:16 | More by aty11b

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