St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

stealth

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%

01-28-2013 00:54:10 | More by stealth

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

BeerGut4Life

Indiana

2.5/5  rDev -44.1%

05-19-2013 21:16:28 | More by BeerGut4Life

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

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