St. Bernardus Abt 12 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

jdhowe

California

4.65/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

750mL bottle, AB-22-11-17 printed on the base.

A: Pours a clear deep brown with hints of ruby with a finger of light tan fluffy, foamy head that leaves plentiful sticky lacing. The beer is dark, but light travels through easily when held to a light source.

S: Malt and yeast esters predominate, with fig and other fruits alongside dark candi filling out the aroma profile. A little bit of spiciness is detectable, but isn't strong. A little bit of eathiness, and maybe something vaguely metallic are evident, but again, not strongly.

T: Sweet, smooth, and delicious. Everything from the nose is there, and on the finish the alcohol shows through, strengthening as it warms.

M: Well carbonated with a medium mouthfeel that finishes smoothly and refreshingly. Incredibly drinkable. The conditioning and the mouthfeel that I get from the 750mL bottles is on the average much better than I've gotten from the smaller bottles or draught, so I tend to stick with these bottles. The mouthfeel is perfect. More highly carbonated than I'd expect, but it contributes only in positive ways. Wonderful.

O: One of my favorite beers. I can't say it's a perfect quad, but it's a very very good example of the style. For how easy it is to obtain, I try to keep at least one around almost always. Never a disappointment.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 08:18:51 | More by jdhowe

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.29/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

11.04.07. That would be a best before date, in European date-coding. Served in a Westvleteren chalice.

Practically opaque chestnut brown. Very cloudy, probably, but hard to tell for sure. Barely the purpley-brick red tint to the color. Looks solidly brown. Looks good. Head crowned up at about an inch and trailed slowly away with soppy tan foam sitting up top.

Maltiness hits the nose first, and a good dose of it. Then, big dark fruits and a vastly estery yeast character takes over. Heartily phenolic and a little spicy. Some rustic earthiness comes through like an aged hop. Fig, plum, black cherry, red grape, ripe apricot, and quince all come through with a lightly vinous touch and lots of candi sugar. Hints of vanilla. Well-tempered, with the maltiness smelling big, at first, but then just showing off with the adjusted balance of the fruity yeast notes.

A ripe phenolic burst with notes of tobacco and clove-y spice marries with malty dark fruits, a la plum, prune, red grape, and overripe apple. Nice little tinge of an earthy aged hop brings out more of the Belgique. Finishes with grape and red apple skin tannins, something described as peppery, and more clove. A tad figgy, too. Vinous notes (pinot) are tame, but there. Alcohol is nice and fat; chewing through the girth of the flavor with a gluttonous whoop. Enough richness here to cover it, and then some.

Drinks with a warm flatline of booze. Rich with body, almost full. Carbonation adds a little slap, here and there. It's very realized.

Just another great experience with good ol' Abt 12. A phenomenal beer. And, if ya don't know, now ya know... !!

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 04:03:55 | More by thecheapies

Misanthropy_Sipping

Nebraska

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I think I am pretty sure this was the first quardupel ale I had ever had. Still a favorite and often what I compare to other quads as it is just so straightforward and so good for the style.

Pours a very deep rust/ deep deep brown. There is a very beautiful ruby hew when held to the light. Has a vigorous khaki head.

There is a lot going on in the smell. Almost a woody scent, cherries, Belgian candi sugar, brown sugar, plums, dates, vanilla, , spice, a bit yeasty. Very earthy tone going on. A mellow smell, but awfully complex.

Tastes wonderful. Again, a whole lot going on. There is almost a cinnamon dryness to it. There is spice and cherries, a bit of yeast. Dates, brown and Belgian candi sugar, burnt caramel, a tad plumy. There is a hint of vanilla... just awesome. everything is in the right place and well balanced. There is a bit of an herbal/woody hop bitterness to finish it all off.

Mouthfeel is really great too. I like to pour mine a bit vigorously but the carbonation still clings on nicely. Surprisingly drinkable. A bit sticky on the back of the mouth but it matches with the sweet taste of this beer. It's what's expected. For being a medium to heavy body, I am always surprised at how drinkable this is.

Overall, excellent. As mentioned, this is one of the quads I base opinion of others off of just because it is so solid. The others I hold at top notch right now would have to be La Trappe and Straffe Hendrik.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 03:36:51 | More by Misanthropy_Sipping

TheDoctor

Quebec (Canada)

4.39/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A:
Pours a cloudy burnt honey color with flecks of orangish yeast and an adequate tan head that settles down pretty good (it is pretty tenacious at first--exploding upon opening like champagne). Okay retention and okay lacing.

S:
Spicy, sweet, boozy, warm. Spicy bitter orange tones right off the bat with a lot of earthy banana and vanilla. A little clove-tinged spice. Smells pretty exotic and busy.

T:
Nutmeg, cinnamon and banana. Sweet and relatively creamy. There is earthy sweetness but the spiciness is what predominates.

M:
Nice and smooth. Really warm and boozy (not so much in taste), Medium body with good relatively strong carbonation.

O:
In general a damn fine beer. Not completely my style but fantastic nonetheless. I think that it would be a really great beer for a cold winter night or to cellar for a while. Really tastes like "Fall". Nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, raisins, booze. It's a delicious beer. A lot more drinkable than I would have thought. Truly worth finding and trying.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 17:35:16 | More by TheDoctor

sjones5045

New Jersey

4.71/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Although not a huge Quad fan, but when you get a good one its easy to recognize. And this it an outstanding one.

Pours dark brown with nice head.

The smell is a plummy and sweet that has a hint of alcohol behind it. The smell really can go either way, either over the top fruit and plum or nice and balanced.

Lucky for me the taste is top notch. Very smooth and just a great balance of plum, and sweet. Nothing too over the top.

Great beer, very well put together. I'm impressed, and makes me like Quads that much more.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 21:40:08 | More by sjones5045

Blindpigbiz

California

4.64/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Smell: currants, toast and coriander hit the nose somewhat brazenly

Taste: currants, along with other dark fruits, and toast entwined themselves with marmalade, toffee, candied almonds, and sweet citrus. There are slight malty notes, but overall, this beer is full bodied, dark as hell, and delicious like sin

Pairs well with: pretentious/standard American burgers, BBQ, smoked Gouda, and spiced sausage

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2013 22:05:03 | More by Blindpigbiz

RobertColianni

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 2

11.2oz. Bottle
16oz. Coffee Tulip

A: Abt. 12 pours a deep scarlet body with large, floating yeast sediments that eventually stagnate towards the bottom of the glassware. A meticulous head collects large, perfectly shaped orbs shooting up from the base. These perfect orbs are truly a beautiful work of art to observe as they quickly find their place within the khaki , creamy head. Watching this beauty form reminded me of watching a computer play Tetris on a professional level. I could watch this natural wonder for days.

S: The aromas permeating the air around me were absolutely joyous: pure raisin, perfectly sticky dates, glazed prunes, and a rumbling raspberry tartness combines in what can only be described as bliss.

T: A wonderful taste profile spurs from Abt. 12 as a rum-like toffee or syrupy sweetness engulfs my palate. The deep, rich sweetness of a well aged fruitcake comes to mind.

M: Abt. 12 was slightly syrup-like to the tongue, but with the beautiful waves of carbonation, the viscosity was toned down to the tune of a perfect sipper.

OVERALL: St. Bernardus Abt. 12 is truly a work of art, however from my experience, I found this quadruple to be far too sweet to handle. As discussed in my group, we could all enjoy and appreciate the deep aroma, the rich taste, and the heavenly appearance of this magnificent creation, but actually moving forward beyond five or six sips just became too much of a task. This is a thinkers beer and one that was created with much love and quality, but the sweetness is just too close to a confection and that's not really very pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 17:39:34 | More by RobertColianni

TheCondor

Missouri

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

Bought this as a single on my last trip to the store. Had to do this review from notes, as it has been a while since I could sit down and review. Side poured from the bottle into a Boulevard snifter.

Appearance - Pours a deep amber, almost brown color, with a nice one finger head that retains well and leaves good lacing. Of course I love the packaging, the cap, everything about the beer from that standpoint. Makes for a good presentation.

Smell - There is a plethora of smells from this delightful brew, including but not limited to caramel, malts, breads, yeast, and a little chocolate. There is even a little hint of spices in there as well. It smells delicious.

Taste - Dark fruits, nuttiness, caramel malts. There is a bit of mild hop bitter in the front, but the primary taste of the drink is malty sweetness. A bit of a kick from the booze

Mouthfeel - Creamy, smooth, wonderful. Booze is detectable, oh well. If you don't like booze, you probably wouldn't be reading this. Good level of carbonation, just a thick, rich beer throughout.

Overall - There is a reason this beer is so high on the Beers of Fame. It is excellence, defined. There aren't many out there I would put over it.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2013 02:47:40 | More by TheCondor

C3likesbeer

California

4.75/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance- Nice amber gold with a little haze. Nice lace.

Smell- Spicy citrus abbey aley excellence.

Taste- Clove and ancient spice; soooo smooth and deep texture. This stuff is good. For 10% ABV. Surprisingly sippable and drinkable

Overall- My favorite abbey ale hands down. If you like abbey ales and trippels and haven't tried this, you're missing out. I like this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 22:47:26 | More by C3likesbeer

take_it_sleazy

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: dark brown with minimal carbonation and creamy two finger head. Can see yeast resting happily at the bottom of my snifter. I love the look of this beer, not to mention the bottle is a classic.

S: roasted malt with a honey like smell. The smell of dried fruit is present along with a nutty, caramel characteristic.

T: moderately boozy upfront which I was expecting, but it mellows out and allows you to really take in and enjoy the dried fruit and malty flavors. No real hop profile. A noticeable nuttiness that was detected in the nose.

M: medium to heavy body with a creamy head. Mild carbonation that works great with the flavors going on in the beer.

O: one of the few quads that's left me itching for more. At 10%, it's not that sessionable, but I will definitely get a hold of more when I get the chance. Great quad ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2013 20:40:21 | More by take_it_sleazy

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

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

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

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

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

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

312HopBomb

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark brown with ruby highlights into a Duvel tulip. Smallish head fades to a ring with spotty lacing.

Smell consists of dark fruit and sweet with some booze.

Taste of sweet dark fruit, rum raisin, fig and toffee. Dark cinnamon bread and ginger snap cookie. Nice warming alcohol and Belgian yeast.

Mouthfeel is thick and full.

Very nice Belgian double times two. Glad to have tried this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 01:58:39 | More by 312HopBomb

ThaneMcC

Maryland

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

A: Poured a nice brownish-red with fine white foam and lacing

S: Bouquet hints of fruit, copper pennies, herbs

T: foreward taste slightly hoppy with a hint of malty, balanced by the astringent/acididty of the carbonation - clean finish
M: Highly carbonated which contributes to its mild acidic/bitter taste, clean finish. good accompaniment to cheese, meat plate, barbecue

Overall - great beer, would definitely stock up on this for the summer bbq season

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:30:15 | More by ThaneMcC

KBomb

Minnesota

4.51/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A delight to the eyes. Murky brown body is nice and has depth and complexity, but the lacing and carbonation is unparalleled. A little tilt to the glass reveals cascading effervescence that leaves thick lacing that looks like thousands of tiny diamonds, retreating back into the beer like a receding tide at the beach.

Fresh fruits dominate the aromas: green apple peel, plum, & grape. Behind it are sweet bready malts and anticipated belgian yeast. A note of peppery clove sneaks around the aromas as well.

The taste is actually a little less sweet than other quads that look this dark and smell this fruity. There's that bready sweetness for sure, but without much of that candied sugar taste you expect from similarly "big" quads. The flavor has an earthiness to it that makes it distinct. Finish has a touch of sour and a touch of spiciness.

That carbonation that delighted the eyes first brings happiness to the tongue as well. Manages to feel creamy but dry. An admirable feat for a high gravity beer.

Worthy of its esteem in the pantheon of world class beers.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2013 02:58:34 | More by KBomb

bbluemzbeer

California

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This is a world class beer! It is not cheap but for a treated myself for my birthday. You can get this pretty easy in my area too.

Appearance: It was a dark brown look to it,. The haed was 1 1/2 inch with thick lacing.

Smells" It is sweet spiced fruits, apple, some banana (with cloves), An aswesome smell to it

Taste. Tremendous ! It has some tartness but not overbearing. I get sweet fruit at first. It has a very comlex taste for a beer. I never taste nothing like it in the world. Roasted malts come through with a great after taste.

Mouthfeel: It is great with good carbonation. Excellent balance. It is full, and yet so slick on my tongue.

Overall,:jThe best beer in the world. If you have never tried you are mssing out on one of the greatest beer in the world!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 15:39:47 | More by bbluemzbeer

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.53/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

appearance: medium dark brown that looks much lighter when held to light. Quite hazy. Very full tan head on the pour.
smell: Dark fruit, yeast, some spice. very nice.
taste: oh man, that's tasty. all the promise of the nose with lots more. A huge dose of goodness up front, that thing that makes you want to chug a great beer, then an almost bitter spice towards the finish and then a dry/sweet balance in the homestretch. Damn.
overall: not sure why i haven't gotten around to trying this now. Awesome.

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2013 23:10:27 | More by cindyjeffsmith

STEELERFAN2390

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

awesome stuff,and very available.
I found this stuff everywhere I looked for good beer in upstate ny when I traveled there yrs ago...its a great brew that is highly drinkable and very powerful ,yet subtle in taste and mouthfeel...it can be good with food but I prefer it at the end of a night of drinking great beer!!! cheers !!

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 22:57:19 | More by STEELERFAN2390

rangerred

Tennessee

4.56/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle into a snifter.

Pours a clear very dark ruby with really no head at all. Just some lace that swirls on the surface and also leaves a bit of wispy lacing.

The aroma is very vinous with an almost port-like quality. Lots of dark fruit such as raisins, prunes, dates, and figs. A little bit of toffee and roast is in there too with even a very quick whiff of coffee. Quite deep and complex.

The flavor outdoes the aroma in terms of depth with a huge hit of dark fruit and red wine along with plum and fig. Some underlying notes of overripe fruit and toffee with a touch of roast coming in at the very end when all of the fruit dissipates. There is just a light hint of bitterness and a breath of alcohol at the end with a silky mouthfeel and a lightly sticky finish.

Overall, what a wonderful and complex brew. There is just so much depth of aroma and flavor here it is indescribable. Truly a world-class beer that all beer lovers should experience.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 01:49:19 | More by rangerred

faulkster4

Virginia

3.68/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Huge head...and who does not like head! Color is rather non-descript. Lools like a root beer gone bad. But I can safely say, I've never drank a beer or not drank a beer based on appearance. Smell is more alcoholic than most beers with little other smell. Again, I've never enjoyed or not enjoyed a beer based on smell. Now time to taste it...the true test. Exactly what you would expect from a trappiste beer. Makes you think, what the heck am I tasting! Can't say I enjoy this trappiste offering as much as Westvleteran or Rochefort but has a complexity that makes you think while you drink. Is it the tastiest beer? No, not really. But is it enjoyable? Absolutely. Overpriced for what you get. Maybe with a nice piece of beef it would really shine but on its own, doesn't really stand up to the other trappiste offerings. Oh well, at least its helping me get drunk!

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 02:24:09 | More by faulkster4