St. Bernardus Prior 8 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

Philousa

California

3.43/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A dark, hazy brown sits in the goblet with a thin, constant layer of head. I get raisin, dates, some chocolate in the nose with similar flavors, but a little alcohol flavor at the end of each sip. The texture is creamy but not too bubbly.

This was the first time I encountered the Prior 8, and I had the fortune to have it on tap at The Trappist in Oakland. This has lots of complexity without as much alcohol, which is applaudable. Will definitely get it again when given the chance.

Update: Tried in a bottle with more notes.
This is a leathery, chocolatey brown that has a swirly, whispy tan head. Clear, unless you pour the yeast in. Sweet date is prominent on the nose along with brown sugar and maple syrup. Sweet to start the taste. Dark stone fruit, mostly plum, sit in the back of the throat and become metallic, which is kind of annoying. A tart taste sticks around and mingles with the CO2, it's slightly unpleasant. The good nearly outweighs the bad.

It's been established in other reviews that I'm highly sensitive to candied sugar, and this one does it to me. I guess I like this more on tap than in a bottle. Good to know.

Serving type: on-tap

10-17-2011 03:41:36 | More by Philousa

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

3.86/5  rDev -7.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

P: A murky dirty dark pond water body with a creamy froth of khaki head with excellent retention.

S: Salty caramel apples, roasted cinnamon and sugar coated pecans, sweet molasses, dark candy sugar, prunes, subtle herbal gum and a syrupy sweetness.

T/M: Roasted caramel and dark sugar malt with a spicy phenolic fruit profile. Smoldered grain, boozy prunes, old school gum, sugary pecan pound cake, green and red apples and roasted ground spices. Prickly carbonation in a medium body. Finish has a burnt barley flavor and lightly smoked wood.

O: Good stuff but I think I like Pator 6 better. Good balance of flavors and a huge dose of spice.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2013 23:16:46 | More by Hopswagger

Danobold

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

06-18-2013 00:51:10 | More by Danobold

lighthabit

Oregon

3.91/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

echoing the other reviews, appearance is hazy, a bit of sediment on the bottom, mine is showing virtually no lacing. smell is fabulous, fruits, love it. taste is more of the same. only issue is a distractingly prickly carbonation that i'd like to see muted a bit. waiting a bit after the pour helps here. very cheerful, will have to try more from them.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 08:04:26 | More by lighthabit

Satsuma

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.1%

06-16-2013 04:03:48 | More by Satsuma

MCMASTERSANCHEZ

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

06-15-2013 23:51:50 | More by MCMASTERSANCHEZ

Nolen12

Kentucky

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%

06-11-2013 03:30:46 | More by Nolen12

ystazi

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

06-10-2013 19:11:57 | More by ystazi

ek_ek

California

4/5  rDev -4.1%

06-08-2013 17:18:03 | More by ek_ek

innominat

Ireland

3.5/5  rDev -16.1%

06-07-2013 14:46:53 | More by innominat

Gregvg

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -4.1%

06-07-2013 04:04:25 | More by Gregvg

gos42

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

06-05-2013 01:50:31 | More by gos42

SHODriver

California

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: pours a deep brown with a finger and a half of dense off white head that slowly fades and leaves moderate lacing
S: smells of dark fruits, spice from the yeast and a bit of candi sugar
T: tastes of spice from the yeast, dark fruits, some alcohol, and some slight sugary sweetness. swallow is a bit more alcohol, some bitterness and a bit more sweetness and dark fruit
M: medium in the mouth with adequate and slightly prickly carbonation, a bit of a dry finish
O: A pretty solid beer with good flavors and good marks for hitting the style. a bit spicier than I expected but not bad.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2013 02:11:01 | More by SHODriver

Luiz0930

California

4/5  rDev -4.1%

06-02-2013 05:20:27 | More by Luiz0930

DenverBigRed

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-31-2013 23:12:37 | More by DenverBigRed

jayhunter357

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-31-2013 03:25:30 | More by jayhunter357

Plonk

Alabama

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-29-2013 18:24:23 | More by Plonk

JakerLou

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-27-2013 22:05:24 | More by JakerLou

bf7

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +13.9%

05-27-2013 03:01:17 | More by bf7

mrlucid98

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-26-2013 20:38:43 | More by mrlucid98

IanSpindler

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-25-2013 23:41:51 | More by IanSpindler

WKole81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-25-2013 12:32:47 | More by WKole81

gfx

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-25-2013 04:44:14 | More by gfx

Dirksen

California

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-24-2013 19:23:40 | More by Dirksen

desint

Belgium

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-24-2013 11:03:17 | More by desint