Trappist Westvleteren 12 (XII) - Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)

tectactoe

Michigan

4.6/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Acquired one bottle from '12 (thanks to cneville) and one bottle from '11 (from Mike) and did a side-by-side with the '11 Westy and a St. Bernardus Abt 12 - just to see what all the fuss is about. Westy pours a murky, dark brown color that accumulates deep at the bottom with light only passing through near the top of the beer, giving it a lighter, copper color. A beige, creamy head forms but remains small, even with an aggressive pour, though it can be coaxed out easily by swirling the glass. So far, so good.

The aroma was beautiful, and in all honesty, simply everything that a Belgian strong ale should be. Raisins, figs, dates - all lightly sugar coated and soaked with a mild boozy flavor. Sweet, smooth brown sugar, faint roses, lightly toasted nuts, toffee malt, and another complex layer of booze that gets a bit stronger as the beer warms up, until it reaches a slightly phenol-like presence. Earthy and dark, fruity esters abound, along with light hints of spices and Belgian yeasty warmth. It all remains wrapped in an array of sugary and savory aromas - the nose on this is one of the most perplexing things I've come across. Just SO MANY THINGS going on, yet it all mingles so strangely well.

A heavily bread and caramel malt backbone leads the way as I take my first sip. I don't have much time to linger with that, however, because my palate is immediately thrust into a flavor profile more stunning than the aroma. Candied grapes, figs, dates, and more dark, juicy, overripe fruits. Sweet red licorice, light booze, honey, calm, earth and fruit esters, mild clove and warming spices, Belgian yeast... I could go on and on. Truth is, the flavor profile on this bad boy is truly an enigma - so many things happening and there's no way you're going to capture all of them with mere words. Some heavy bread and almost rye-like flavors in the aftertaste, buttery and smooth. Somewhat on the heavy side without being thick or syrupy; silky and smooth on the palate, very creamy and not sticky at all - decent carbonation, even for nearly two years of age.

So, is this the "best beer in the world" ? No. Well, in my opinion, anyway. BUT - I can definitely see why some people might agree with that, and I can definitely say that it deserves to be in the discussion. Even though it doesn't necessary top my list, it's certainly one of the best and most well crafted beers I've had, and no doubt a benchmark example of the style. If you love beer, do yourself a favor and seek one of these out. It was really an amazing beer, and the experience of enjoying it for yourself (or with a friend) is excellent.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 13:08:25 | More by tectactoe

tommyguz

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-24-2013 14:34:59 | More by tommyguz

desint

Belgium

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-24-2013 12:01:33 | More by desint

WallE89

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-24-2013 03:46:23 | More by WallE89

tholm273

Wisconsin

4.84/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

WOW, I couldn't believe I ran into a bottle of this. I am by far not as big a beer snob as some of you, but I love to try and share beer when I get it. This beer goes beyond complex. Each and every sip I took I got a different experience of flavors. The owner of the place I got it from took out a bottle, poured it into a westy12 glass and the head just kept on going thru the tip of the glass, and staying there. Took a frew big, deep breaths into my nose and trying to get a hint of anything going on off the top of the glass. Sipped it, took a bigger sip and let it sit in my mouth, trying to get some of the initial tastes.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 15:41:19 | More by tholm273

TheRuss9585

Vermont

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-23-2013 14:34:08 | More by TheRuss9585

Abrengle

Washington

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-23-2013 01:29:45 | More by Abrengle

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-23-2013 01:29:11 | More by mikeincharleston

Mattias

Sweden

3.5/5  rDev -24.6%

05-22-2013 20:10:19 | More by Mattias

grover37

District of Columbia

4.25/5  rDev -8.4%

05-22-2013 04:19:12 | More by grover37

zonker17

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-22-2013 03:43:32 | More by zonker17

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4.25/5  rDev -8.4%

05-21-2013 03:59:45 | More by CosmoHopHead

CraftEyeDoc

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-21-2013 02:34:38 | More by CraftEyeDoc

Thedrizzle

Florida

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 02:14:26 | More by Thedrizzle

adhallick

Manitoba (Canada)

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-21-2013 01:02:17 | More by adhallick

DoubleJ

California

4.41/5  rDev -5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

This has been a long time coming. I had a small taste of it years back, but having a taste is not the same as having an entire bottle to yourself. It also isn't the same as being in the cafe across the street of the monastery and having it served properly in its own chalice. The main event is here. On to the beer:

A large rocky head sits on top of this dark, creamy brown colored beer. It retains well and leaves reasonable lace around. The aroma is...not as intense as expected. It features notes of plum, chocolate, and pudding, however I needed to dig deep to find this subtle, lovely notes.

The flavor puts this beer on track. The flavor is as intense as I thought and does feel more so than the 8. Ironincally, soft yeasty fruit hits first, followed by figs, a peppery biterness, pudding, and dark chocolate. Very deep in flavor, and the full creamy body of the beer suits the beer very well. Yum yum yum!

On its own, Westvleteren 12 is an excellent beer. If you're not at In de Vrede, it's a bit of work to track down a bottle, even at bottle shops in Brussels! Everyone shoud try this beer at least once.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 23:52:06 | More by DoubleJ

Jslay013

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -8.4%

05-20-2013 21:34:32 | More by Jslay013

powz87

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -8.4%

05-20-2013 17:17:17 | More by powz87

chippo33

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-20-2013 14:26:14 | More by chippo33

kirkfrailey

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%

05-20-2013 14:21:42 | More by kirkfrailey

Dave_Treat

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-20-2013 11:06:23 | More by Dave_Treat

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-20-2013 03:23:31 | More by Kmat10

gfx

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +7.8%

05-20-2013 01:26:25 | More by gfx

bcuz7

Florida

4.5/5  rDev -3%

05-19-2013 21:41:35 | More by bcuz7

BeerGut4Life

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -8.4%

05-19-2013 21:18:29 | More by BeerGut4Life