St. Bernardus Pater 6 - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

tectactoe

Michigan

3.81/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Pours a murky, dark-ish copper-brown color with little bits of off-white sediment swirling among the haze. The khaki head is thick and creamy looking and lasts for a considerable amount of time; a few chunks of lace cling to the top of the glass. Nose is sparkling and fruity; ripe, sour grapes, apple skins, and loaded with phenols. Toasted malts give it a steely-caramel structure, side-by-side with a full-out, sweet ester-laden parade. Some slight spices on the nose, most likely from the characteristic Belgian yeast. The aroma almost gives off a tartness, similar to a Lindeman's lambic, though slightly less pungent.

Sweet, sugar-coated grapes and plums are the first thing that comes to mind when taking a sip. Body is fairly thin and carbonated so much that the brew seems to evaporate in your mouth. Light, deep cranberry sauce flavors start to come out - a tartness evolves, spikes, and lasts for only a split second - it's refreshing and borderline sour and puckering, something you don't always find in dubbels. The infrastructure of Pater 6 is full of earthy, dirty hops and sweet, fruity esters. Some spice noticeable at the tail end, mainly clove, but it isn't as powerful or prominent as it is in many other Belgian brews. Nice little bitter twang in the aftertaste, coming mostly from the hops which turn from earthy to floral as the beer goes on. Aftertaste of wine-soaked bread and light clove. The alcohol in this one isn't strong, but it's phenol characteristics shine through at the right moments. Nearing room temp, this beer surprisingly seems to lose a bit of flavor, but is still nice and drinkable.

Solid dubbel, nice balance of sweetness, earthiness, and bitterness. Didn't pack as big of a punch as I was expecting, but maybe that's a good thing. Can't wait to try the Prior 8.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 13:18:30 | More by tectactoe

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-18-2013 19:43:23 | More by ummswimmin

safaricook

Netherlands

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-17-2013 19:25:50 | More by safaricook

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-16-2013 16:59:37 | More by Slatetank

JoshFrierson86

Arkansas

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%

05-16-2013 12:23:32 | More by JoshFrierson86

SHODriver

California

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

A: poured into a SAt Bernardus Chalice to a deep mahogany with a half ich of off white head that fades to a small mat
S: smells of bready malt, dark fruit, caramel sweetness and a bit of spicy yeast
T: bready malt sweetness, some caramel, spicy yeast, dark fruits, slight candi sugar like sweetness and a tinge of bitterness. swallow brings more bready malt, dark fruits and spice
M: lighter side of medium in the mouth with slightly prickly carbonation and a semi dry finish
O: good complexity, good flavors, solid balance and very enjoyable. very smooth and easy to drink. a fantastic Dubbel

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 01:28:12 | More by SHODriver

hackmann

Michigan

3.83/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Appearance: ruddy brown body with a light tan 1-1/2 finger head; spotty lacing

Aroma: dark bread, dark fruit, light overall, builds character as the ale warms

Flavors: dark fruit – raisin like; pumpernickel with a little rye swirl; touch of spice;

Mouthfeel: fizzy carbonation sparkling wine like, mild-moderate body, nice balance between sweet malts and hops, light dark fruits linger on the palate; to me it is fairly simple: raisin, pumpernickel bread with a touch of rye grain spice and a light aftertaste.

To the Point: a nice Pater, pleasing to drink, easy to enjoy, I think I like this better than the Prior 8 which has a cinnamon raisin bread likeness;

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 17:36:51 | More by hackmann

twenty5

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-10-2013 16:12:38 | More by twenty5

jdawg80

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.9%

05-10-2013 14:08:24 | More by jdawg80

jeranbrews

New York

4.28/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - light auburn with faint beige head. Pretty lacing that glides down the glass gently

S - faint nutty aroma.

T - well balanced malty. Slight abv burn sweet gentle

M - slightly sparkly not to hot stays in your mouth just the right amount of time

D - high not as good as the 8

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:55:39 | More by jeranbrews

Stugotzo

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

05-07-2013 21:27:18 | More by Stugotzo

DRBiser

Maryland

4/5  rDev -2.9%

04-30-2013 22:34:04 | More by DRBiser

troy138

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +9.2%

04-28-2013 16:32:48 | More by troy138

swimfire

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

04-28-2013 00:57:48 | More by swimfire

BierMeJohn

Germany

3.75/5  rDev -9%

04-21-2013 12:01:38 | More by BierMeJohn

BrewmanCapote

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

04-21-2013 05:35:43 | More by BrewmanCapote

Hopswagger

Oklahoma

4.4/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

P: A speckled mahogany body with a dollop of off white head that fades to a bubbly wake.

S: A controlled caramel, great Belgian yeast strain, subdued sweet dark fruits, clove, the black bottom part of a banana, pumpernickel bread and spicy hops. Aroma is similar to a musty cardboard fruit container.

T/M: Malty caramel, bready yeast, dark fruits, booze, and spices. Vivacious medium body that finishes dry with green apple tartness and bitter spiced tea tannin.

O: Complex and perfectly balanced. I gotta say I love it and want some more of it. The balance is what really shines here. Not over barring in any way but just nicely married. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 01:45:39 | More by Hopswagger

fionn13

Ireland

4/5  rDev -2.9%

04-19-2013 19:40:54 | More by fionn13

Casey3236

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -2.9%

04-19-2013 00:53:39 | More by Casey3236

Poupae

Thailand

4/5  rDev -2.9%

04-16-2013 12:02:51 | More by Poupae

pointone

Missouri

4/5  rDev -2.9%

04-16-2013 06:50:08 | More by pointone

NikD

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +15.3%

04-16-2013 00:04:28 | More by NikD

2GOOFY

California

4/5  rDev -2.9%

04-15-2013 04:49:34 | More by 2GOOFY

ChrisKayler

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev +3.2%

04-03-2013 03:54:32 | More by ChrisKayler

tbeer40

New Jersey

3.75/5  rDev -9%

04-01-2013 23:26:19 | More by tbeer40