St. Bernardus Witbier - Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

JudgeRoughneck

Louisiana

2.05/5  rDev -50.8%
look: 1 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1

There is minimal head on this dirty-ditch-water beer. This is maybe the most unappealing color I've ever seen. The aroma is very hefe-like with huge bubblegum dominating over clove, lemon, and pepper.

The flavor is opressively heavy with some kind of mineral taste. once someone said Flintstones vitamins", it was very hard to think of anything else when drinking this beer. That is totally what it taste like. I get some spice and orange pith in the background. Aftertaste is awful...like I've been chewing notebook paper to make spitballs.

Mouthfeel is flat, save the mineral astringency. I found this beer almost undrinkable, and wit is one of my favorite styles. It was interesting, but not pleasant. I'm wondering if we got a bad bottle, but the freshness date said it was good for a few more months. Guess I'm just not into this.

Serving type: bottle

05-28-2007 15:39:13 | More by JudgeRoughneck

WKole81

Illinois

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-25-2013 12:33:19 | More by WKole81

desint

Belgium

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-24-2013 11:04:04 | More by desint

johntfox

Florida

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-21-2013 01:04:14 | More by johntfox

NandoPereira

Brazil

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-20-2013 17:13:21 | More by NandoPereira

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4/5  rDev -4.1%

05-18-2013 21:59:07 | More by Photekut

JoshFrierson86

Arkansas

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-18-2013 11:26:01 | More by JoshFrierson86

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-16-2013 16:56:17 | More by Slatetank

srgj88

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +13.9%

05-15-2013 22:51:18 | More by srgj88

abrodsky

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-15-2013 02:58:30 | More by abrodsky

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

3.64/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5

330ml bottle into a Saint Bernardus glass

A: Pours a light, hazy golden color with a finger of fluffy head that quickly falls to a thin film. Average lacing.

S: A strong wheat aroma dominates with cardamom and a bit of lemon zest. A touch of clove.

T: Wheat is still quite strong, but I get quite a bit of orange zest, almost as if there is a slice of orange in the beer. The beer stays dry with a nice spiciness.

M: Medium thickness with strong, creamy carbonation.

O: A nice Witbier, but I'm honestly not sure I could tell this from the BMC versions. It is a bit spicier and drier I believe, but it's similar for sure. Maybe my palate just isn't quite there for Witbier. Either way, I'd take an Allagash White over this any day.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 01:57:21 | More by coreyfmcdonald

twenty5

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

05-10-2013 16:11:53 | More by twenty5

jdawg80

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

05-10-2013 14:09:03 | More by jdawg80

Stugotzo

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-07-2013 21:28:37 | More by Stugotzo

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

05-05-2013 01:58:07 | More by capnamerica

wonothesane42

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

04-27-2013 19:33:16 | More by wonothesane42

rickyleepotts

Arizona

3.09/5  rDev -25.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

This brewing company is known for their Abt 12, a beer that is apparently the same (or based on the same) recipe as the Westvleteren 12, the "best" beer in the world. I have had the Westvleteren 12, and it's just OK. Cool story, but requires too much work to obtain a bottle. It has only been available in the United States once… and it was way out of my price range. We have one bottle of the Westvleteren 12 in the cellar, and one day, when we drink it, we will grab a bottle of St. Bernardus Abt 12 and a bottle of Trappistes Rochefort 10 and do a blind taste test. They are all Belgian quads, a style that I have yet to fall in love with. They are good, don't get me wrong… but they sometimes bore me. Anyway, I have not tried the Wit from St. Bernardus, but the BeerAdvocate bros gave it a 99… so it better be good! As much as I don't like quads, I really dislike wheat beers. They just tend to bore me. I blame Blue Moon! Let's see what Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV has to offer in this bottle. Cheers!

In the Glass: The beer actually looks good in the glass. Not as much orange, more a nice hazy yellow. The head was thick, too. A VERY impressive pour for a beer that I don't generally care for. Oh, and last night I helped teach a beer class at Total Wine & More in Scottsdale. It was fun, and we featured ALL canned beers. The AmeriCAN beer festival is coming up in a few weeks. We will be there with the full report! This beer also produces a really nice sticky lace. I hope it smells good!

Nose: Holy coriander. Wow, that is harsh. I expected this to be more fruity… again, thanks to Blue Moon. I know Blue Moon is not a good example of the style, but still. Just to be clear, I did not fruit my beer! Blue Moon, when ordered in a bar, is typically served with an orange wedge. In Europe they use a lemon wedge, but still… fruit!

A second whiff and all I get is coriander. It's OK… but nothing to write home about. I would love to meet those BeerAdvocate bros just to chat about what they like in a beer.

Flavor: Not as much coriander as I expected. It is a bit too carbonated, but finished smooth. Again, not sure why this impresses so many people… because it's just OK. Nothing against the brewery, as they are a great example of Belgian beers… but man, this is just not my style. I am sure this is a good example of a traditional witbier… but again, for $3.49 I could buy a much better (maybe even bigger) beer. The burp didn't really impress me, either.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel here is nice, thick, and creamy. But there are a few too many bubbles for me. I did, on that sip, switch the beer around a little bit in my mouth. I got a blast of lemon zest there, but it quickly turns back to the spicy coriander that I just can't get away from. I wonder if a few ice cubes, yes ice cubes, would bring this beer down a notch on the spice. A lot of beers are served over ice in Europe. Not this one, in particular… but I feel this would be a good one to ice down.

Aftertaste: There isn't a big aftertaste here. The spices stick around, but leave me with a subtle drying finish requiring me to take another sip. I will say, about this style, if you are new to craft beer, this isa good/safe way to start. Nearly every brewing company makes a wheat/white beer. So if you are new to craft beer, start here. Funny story… last night in the beer class, a guy likes the Maui Bikini Blonde Ale more than anything we tried. He would LOVE this beer! Oh well, glad I got to try this. I wouldn't buy this again, but it was fun learning about the Pierre Celis connection to this brewery/beer. Cheers, people!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 22:23:19 | More by rickyleepotts

slimntubbs

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.1%

04-21-2013 05:32:28 | More by slimntubbs

rcmooney

Arkansas

4.68/5  rDev +12.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A- pale hazy yellow. Big white head
A- coriandee, spice, Lemmon zest
T- Lovely smooth citrus/spiced wheat beer
M- High Carbonarion ended with a really nice smooth and creamy texture
O- Not much bad to say about this one. Strait forward in a good way. very sessionable. Bravo

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 01:40:21 | More by rcmooney

fionn13

Ireland

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%

04-19-2013 19:42:51 | More by fionn13

Zbyler

Connecticut

4.44/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- pale golden yellow but hazy orange at the same time. Unfiltered.

S- fresh citrus fruits along with freshly baked bread and a hint of spice on the nose. Banana and bubblegum present as well.

T- great belgian yeast flavor, banana, bubblegum, grapefruit rind, bready notes, cloves.

M- moderately carbonated, on the heavy side, crisp, refreshing.

O- My first offering from St Bernardus and I am very pleased with my choice. Great summer beer or even for year round. Extremely refreshing and crisp. Smooth.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 02:22:34 | More by Zbyler

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Pours a nice rocky head of white foam, shows pretty good retention and really nice lacing. Colour is a hazy pale orange, unfiltered wheat. 4.25

S - very full fresh fruitiness. Sweet banana, slight bubblegum, some light yeast in the back. Green apple, and dark malty bread. Some fruity sweetness, and a light lime citrus overtone. Very well intigrated and satisfying. 4.5

T- a light spice prickle before leading to a full sweet malty body, very creamy. Banana milkshake smoothie. Subtle spice and lime notes, a bit sweet and creamy with the wheat influence. Lots of apple and pear fruitiness, some dry coriander in the back. Finish is clean and light, finally a bit of bitterness on the end, slightly earthy with some dry yeast lingering on. 4.25

M - again very smooth. Overall a light and very refreshing wit beer, just some pleasing soft carbonation. With a creamy wheat sweetness leading to a shorter dry finish. 4.5

Such an easy and tasty beer to drink. A very excellent witbier in all respects. Very nicely balanced with some interesting things going on. Great complexity and yet so easy and tasty to drink. I would maybe prefer a bit less sweetness and more hops, the wheat here adds a delicious smooth creamy character. Great beer though.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 14:51:12 | More by mick303

Jason1337

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

04-17-2013 09:39:51 | More by Jason1337

Poupae

Thailand

3.75/5  rDev -10.1%

04-16-2013 06:51:52 | More by Poupae

Rohkey

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%

04-11-2013 19:39:13 | More by Rohkey