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

polloenfuego

Ontario (Canada)

4.95/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

330 ml bottle, poured into a Westvleteren chalice. Bottle cap stamped 25-05-15

A: A beautiful hazy ruby or deep maple colour. A small tan head of about 1 finger appears, but some halo sticks around for your enjoyment the entire time.

S: The first smell I pick up is the yeast. It is gentle and pleasant. Dark fruits are there as well as hints of caramel and yes a bit of alcohol.

T: Carrying over from the smell, the dark fruits come to the fore on this beer. It is fantastically flavorful with so much going on. What jumps out at me is the fact that the yeast is somewhat hidden in the taste.

M: Incredibly smooth. Carbonation is perfect and there is little boozy finish on this. The beer leaves a lovely memory in your mouth with a great warm finish.

O: This is a superior beer. I hemmed and hawed as to whether I should actually pay the price for this, and in the end, it was well worth it (and quite reasonable considering). I prefer Belgian quads and tripels so to me this is like nirvana. What was surprising and pleasant was the complexity of the smell/taste. The fruitiness hid the yeast and the alcohol stayed in the background until the end. I've had Rochefort 10 and St. Bernardus Abt. 12 and Westvleteren just reaches above those making it well worth the chase.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 11:00:16 | More by polloenfuego

westievleteren12

California

4.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Probably The best beer I ever tried.. Full of flavour, has a roasty floral aftertaste... It feels full in mouth and has some caramel flavours in the palate..

If this can help the ones who would like to try the beer, have a look on : westvleterenshop.com .. I had a great experience there, and found out the best prices..

Good luck & Enjoy

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 21:44:34 | More by westievleteren12

Liquid_Bread

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Poured into a La Trappe chalice. Bottle cap says 17.01.16.

A: the color of dark maple syrup with a hint of a beige head

S: almond and vanilla, was expecting a stronger smell but that probably comes with aging (will write again in 2 years now that I'm cellaring my case!). The La Trappe Oak aged gives off a much stronger scent but this one has some nice notes.

T: coffee and chocolate sweetness to start, finishing with bitter alcohol and even a hint of hops, didn't expect that from a quad. This is quite distinct from Rochefort 10 or St. Bernardus ABT 12.

M: more carbonation than I expected. Light tingles down the throat.

O: I drank the three other quads referenced in this review within 9 days of finally drinking this one and, I'll admit, I struggle to separate my review from the beer's mystique. To be honest, I like the other three better. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Westy 12 with some slices of a very buttery brie cheese. Like I said, I think the magic of quadrupels comes in the aging so I'll write again in a few years.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 23:22:09 | More by Liquid_Bread

Naugled

New York

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This was a very good beer, it didn't live up to my expectations, but still very good. It had a surprising complexity that I wasn't expecting. Appearance was average to normal compared to other quads. It had an earthy feeling, dank mushroomy taste and smell. Very drinkable for a quad.

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 16:47:39 | More by Naugled

MrKennedy

Australia

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

330ml bottle with 07/01/14 on the cap.

Deep russety brown appearance with a hint of murkiness when held up to the light. Nice beige foam on top doesn't require any coaxing to stay at about a finger in height.

Intriguing smell. Lots of dark fruit with figs, dates, prunes some spice there as well. Reminds me of some red wine at certain stages, not that I drink much wine. Seems to have the warming alcohol bring out the spice without inflaming the situation. Brilliant!

Spicy, cinnamon and allspice are there along with the dark fruits of plum and figs and prunes. Seems to transition from the spices on the front to the fruit on the back and then some spice right at the end to keep you really, really interested. Really dry ending.

The body is solid, but by no means too big, i think the spice helps cut through things. Nice interaction between the spice, the warming alcohol and the fruity smoothness. Really well done.

Don't recall ever having liked this as much as i like this sampling. I always seemed to prefer the 8 out of the Westvleteren brews, but this is helping change my mind. Not a big fan of Quads, but this is very well done and so well integrated.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 11:26:37 | More by MrKennedy

The_Beer_Nut

Belgium

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I think that everything that can be said about this beer has been said ... It is god inspired perfection.
I will add that I was at the abbey today, and ordered one at the tavern right across the way (Owned and operated by the Abbey). They serve it very cold which I personally like and recommend for any beer. However, I noticed that this beer has more taste dimensions when served at cellar temperatures. If you have more than one to try then savour it at cellar temp and see if you agree.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 22:24:38 | More by The_Beer_Nut

StonedTrippin

Colorado

4.49/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

at long long last, I finally got my chance to try this beauty. a friend of a friend lucked out when it came to the states, shared a bottle, and I was invited. the anticipation was obviously huge here, and the beer met all expectations. this pours a lighter brown color with plenty of fish food yeast floaters and maybe a finger or two of tan airy froth. the nose is remarkably complex, lots of interesting dried fruits and that classic Belgian yeast. it also smells pretty sweet, like brown sugar or molasses, and just a clue about its strength. the flavor immediately reminds me of Ramadan. dried figs and dates, raisins, and bready yeast, its got a lovely buttery component, and seems somehow understated compared to what my palates definition of a quad is, recognizing of course that this is THE quad of quads, and this is a personal definitional problem, rather than a shortcoming of this particular brew. its layered and refined, and dangerously drinkable. the body is light, still medium probably, but it doesn't feel heavy or sticky or filling at all. the carbonation is ultra bright, and the flavors come one after the other throughout the entire drink until well after the swallow. this beer is famous and renowned for a reason, it is of the highest quality. I am maybe most impressed by how well the alcohol is hidden. one would never know this beer is so strong. one of those rare moments when you feel a connection with people you have never and may never meet. this beer is like a brotherhood of sorts, and I am humbled and honored to be a part of it now.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 16:40:50 | More by StonedTrippin

Immortale25

Florida

3.86/5  rDev -16.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured into a snifter. Bottlecap says 29.09.15.

A- Pours an opaque medium brown color with a 1/2 inch dark tan head that's very crackly for a quad as it loses retention quickly and becomes a thin ring around the edge of the glass. Thick, semi-resilient lacing slides quickly down the glass and minimal surface foam.

S- Boozy aroma reminds me more of a barleywine than a quad although, once I swirl, I get a nice waft of Belgian candi sugar and toasty malt. Still, the alcohol sticks out unpleasantly.

T- And there's a sharp booziness in the flavor too, followed by some faint raisin and dark fruit. Once the palate acclimates, things mellow out a bit. Semi-sweet, somewhat toasty with a syrupy aftertaste. Not very complex.

M- A bit stinging from the booze, sticky and dry. Medium carbonation and a hefty body.

O- I love quads, but this is probably the most overrated one I've ever had. Maybe I should have let it sit longer, but I feel like it should be good fresh as well considering all the hype surrounding it. A pretty big letdown but I guess my expectations were quite high. Either way, definitely not worth the money.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 02:18:55 | More by Immortale25

Seanniek91

New Hampshire

4.83/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Served from a european bottle into a Krombacher pils glass. Shared with RoninTK3. Vintage 08'. Cellar temp.

Appearance- Beautiful hazy orangeish/brown with huge three finger fluffy white head that dissipated surprisingly quick. Lots of yeast floating around. Crazy lacing.

Smell- Cherry, tobacco, rich bready belgian yeast, dark dried fruit, vanilla. The list goes on, but this is one of the most layered beers I've had the pleasure to have.

Taste- Vanilla, plum, raisons, fresh bread. Finish is pure raison. Yeasty character isn't as pronounced as in the smell which is nice for me. Sweet clean lingering flavors.

Mouthfeel- Tons of bubbly carbonation with a nice resiny stickiness. Clean without the booze heat one might expect from a 10% (especially with 5 years on it.

Overall- Quads are a hit or miss with me, but this is hands down the best quad I've had. Truly a beautiful beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:22:55 | More by Seanniek91

RoninTK3

Rhode Island

4.81/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2008 bottle

A - Pours a murky red/brown with lots of head and lots of sediment. A bit of lacing.

S - Alcohol, dark fruit, vanilla, cloves, apricot, and brown sugar.

T - So much going on with this one. Plums and raisins are at the forefront with hints of brown sugar, cloves, roasty malts, and a bit of cloves and spices. Not a hint of the 10.2% ABV.

M - So smooth with lots of carbonation and no burn. Incredibly drinkable.

This certainly lives up to the hype. Just sweet enough with the perfect balance of flavors and not a hint of alcohol after the smell. Glad to finally try this and would happily welcome another.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:12:24 | More by RoninTK3

Cylinsier

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

300 ml bottle, one of six from the recent overseas release.

Pours a deep, cloudy mahogany, two plus inches of yellow-white foam dissipates very slowly to a lacing, leaves some tracks down the inside of the glass.

Smells of rich cocoa, molasses, bananas, white wine grapes, caramel, slightly toasty bread and a hint of licorice, cloves, and cinnamon. Of note is the exceptional balance of all these aromas; despite sound like a weird mixture, they fit together perfectly.

The flavor is nutty at first, mildly bitter but also rich like hazelnut. What follows is a bit of cocoa and wine-like grape fruitiness. The conclusion is banana, caramel, and cloves. The beer manages to be rich without being cloying in the least, and seems to balance a malty sweetness with a wine-like dryness. Subtle hints of bitter hop sneak in as the beer warms. There are savory elements as well.

The ale is full-bodied and features as an expansive effervescence that feels refreshing and seems to fill the cheeks and tingle on the roof of the mouth.

This beer absolutely lives up to the hype and perhaps even exceeds my expectations. A picture of this beer should appear next to the definition for "world class" in the dictionary. Absolutely a worthwhile experience. If you have the opportunity to try this beer, take it. While I am sure some will still find it overrated, I feel most will certainly not be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 01:20:34 | More by Cylinsier

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.59/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I've been saving this brew for a little while since receiving it via joemcgrath27 in a cross-Canada trade (madd props!). The moment has arrived with the birth of our baby daughter this past Monday.

A - Poured into the Westvleteren goblet. Before sediment it pours a crystal clear ruby red, finger of head with some retention and no real lacing. A murky amber brown after sediment.

S - Rich caramel and dark fruit, figs, candied apple, rye bread, toffee, hints of chocolate and cocoa alongside a heavy dose of cloves and a touch of booziness.

T - Pre-sediment pour had a stronger cocoa and burnt malt flavour, dark fruit notes were prominent throughout and post-sediment pour the heavier cloves and candied fruit notes come through. Vineous grape notes, earthy hops and a lingering bitterness come through alongside a hint of ABV heat and sweetness.

M - Lighter bodied ale that is incredibly smooth and finishes surprisingly wet.

O - This is one tasty quad and it certainly lives up to the hype. Insanely drinkable, which I would imagine would only improve with time. The high ABV is incredibly well hidden amongst a complex flavour profile. Not only was this an incredible brew, it made for the perfect drink to celebrate such an incredible moment. Thank for sending this treat along Joe!!

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2013 00:20:35 | More by andrenaline

JamFuel

Sweden

4.21/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

So, one of the best beers in the world, ever... Been waiting for this one for quite some time. Managed to get two bottles fromhet very limited release at Systembolaget.

Looks the part, murky with plenty of sediment...

The smell that rises from the glass is sweet, absolutely a Quad. Hints of raisins, plums... In the back I sense som yeast and a bit of booze.

Taste... Well, still a bit sweet, Brown sugar blended with the plums from the smell. Not really a lingering taste at all. Only left with a bit of sugar on the tongue.

Honestly... If it wasn't fot the whole Westie thang, I would put a beer like Rochefort 10 way ahead of this. In no way is this bad, it is in fact very good. But world-class? Not for me...

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 22:10:46 | More by JamFuel

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.39/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A-murky dark brown color with a smallish tan head and a little lacing

S-dark fruit, roasted malt, molasses, brown sugar, spices

T-figs, dates, roasted malt, molasses, hints of cocoa and spices (cloves, cinnamon)

F-medium to full body with light to moderate carbonation, smooth and creamy

O-a great beer to be savored and sipped slowly

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 00:48:54 | More by MDDMD

deebo

Minnesota

4.34/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Time to move on from the blond and the dubbel and hit up the quad I drove out to the middle of nowhere to try. Notes from tasting fresh at the brewery in Dec 2010, bottle cap reads 04.08.13. Poured the bottle into the Westvleteren chalice this beer has a thick tight tan head that has some staying power and laces the glass. Dark brown to black on top, lighter brown color noted towards the thin bottom. Aromas are toasted barley malt, with a chocolate characteristic. Great mouthfeel. Complex, very smooth with the alcohol hidden amongst all the other flavors. Super drinkable for such a high ABV beverage. The complexity of this beer is quite great, this is definitely the best of the 3 beers. Compared to the other great quads of Belgium I'd put this one in the world class category but a notch below St. Benardus Abt. 12 given slightly less estery goodness and the price and availability issue. Well now that I'm here I better have another...I might never get another.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 03:43:12 | More by deebo

Bleedcold

Florida

4.64/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Consumed from a Trappistes Rochefort glass.

Appearance: This is a great looking beer very dark and cloudy in appearance has a relatively high carbonation while consuming.

Smell: Smells a lot like the Westy 8 did a lot of dark fruit smells figs, cherries, brown sugar and molasses.

Taste: Getting a lot of the same tastes that I did with the Westy 8, dark fruits and sugars amazing flavor very powerful but not overwhelming. Can not really taste much of the alcohol but defiantly a great flavor, some spice in the brew.

Mouthfeel: Smooth yet spiced. Carbonation is prevalent seems very light.

Overall: This beer has been on my radar for a very long time and I am pleased to say that I was not let down. This is a wonderful beer, I absolutely love this beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 00:53:46 | More by Bleedcold

dbrauneis

New Jersey

4.64/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a murky brown in color with some light amounts of visible carbonation and some mahogany highlights. The beer has a finger tall light tan head that slowly reduces to a medium to large thin patch, a very thin film covering about 75% of the remainder of the surface of the beer, and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: There is a fair amount of sweetness to the aroma of this beer - caramel, molasses, candi sugar, and dark fruits (cherries, plum, date, and fig). Very light aromas of booze.

T: Upfront there are flavors of dark fruits with cherries dominating and more moderate amounts of plum, fig, and date. There is a decent amount of sweetness but never enough to become cloying - caramel, molasses, candi sugar, and toffee are all present. Moderate flavors of Belgian yeast and just a touch of spices. Light hint of cocoa powder in the finish.

M: Just shy of full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly creamy with a light amount of alcohol warming in the finish.

O: Great complexity to the aromas and flavors make this a world class beer. It is easy to drink and enjoyable, I would gladly have another one of these in the sitting. The alcohol is not completely hidden but it is not overwhelming and there is sweetness but not cloyingly so.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 01:21:14 | More by dbrauneis

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.48/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Served in a 11.2 oz bottle into a La Trappe goblet. Acquired in a trade with Pete, thanks!

A- Pours a muddy brown, sediment filled body with a beautiful and perfectly sized khaki colored head, creamy head that leaves a little lacing. As it reduces, the top of the head forms a few brown swirls.

S- Fruity esters, white grapes, vanilla, baked bread, unripe bananas, burned sugar, raisins, a little booze.

T- Upfront I get candi sugar, nutty notes, light citrus, bananas, dark fruits. This progresses into a roastyness with caramel and fruits that sits on the tongue for a bit. Not getting much alcohol which is good for the 10.2 ABV.

M- Very easy to drink, creamy, medium body with medium-low carbonation.

Was this a world class, complex, easy drinking belgian? Absolutely yes. Was it the best beer in the world? That's debatable. I could see it holding that title a few years back, but now that it has competitors with similar (if not better) taste profiles, I think not. Don't get me wrong, this beer was amazing. Anyone who has access to it needs to try it at least once. But it's price and rarity are a sky high, and if you can't get a hold of one don't lose sleep over it.

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 01:38:13 | More by gcamparone

lhaqq

California

4.73/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Amazing overall. Haven't had a throughly good Belgian beer since the past time I was at Russian River Brewery.

A: Pours with a generous carmel-colored head, with an opaque but not translucent brownish body.
S: Smells like caramel and sugar.
T: Rich sugary taste throughout, though not uncloyingly so. Hints of spice at the end, though most of the flavor is taken up by the Belgian yeasts and wheat.
M: Deep, satisfying mouthfeel that matches the 11% abc without the harsh aftertaste.
O: Overall, certainly one of the best beers I've had.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:15:28 | More by lhaqq

babbules

Connecticut

4.71/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from the typical plain brown glass bottle into a wine glass. First thing I noticed is a white soapy head floating on a beautiful dark amber liquid. Great subtle smell with lots of dried fruits and a bit of alcohol. The taste is very nice--slightly dank with more fruits and a touch of sweetness. The real strength of this beer is the mouthfeel, in my opinion--super-soft and almost creamy. Well-balanced, overall. This is one of my new favorites; too bad it's so pricy and hard-to-get!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 13:37:17 | More by babbules

chrisgalvin

California

4.31/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I dropped some cash and purchased some of this from a reputably shop online and was really happy with my purchase. Some could say that it was a bucket list next to actually visting the brewery to buy my own case. Dark appearance with a bit of suspended yeast, malty malty taste and minimal hops. Truly a great beer from the "Westy Lads..."

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 04:17:36 | More by chrisgalvin

riemster

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured into the Westvleteren chalice.

A- hazy, almost clear brown and reddish hue, 1 finger light tan head

S- dark fruits, raisins, plums, toasted caramel, toasted bread, woody, rum soaked cake

T- rum soaked sugary dark fruits, plums, raisins, dates, yeasty bread

M- medium bodied, medium carbonation, little creamy, not much warmth

O- The smell of this beer was fantastic. It really opens up. I found the taste was not near as good as the aroma. Great beer, but I hope it improves more with age. I still have 8 bottles left from the big blow out late last year. I would take a Rochefort 10 over this any day, but I hope some older bottles will change my mind!

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 01:32:01 | More by riemster

truebluebums

Netherlands

4.61/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Picked up a bottle at the Molen brewery, and this is my second time trying the Westvleteren 12. Found it at a bar in Delft a while back, but I did not take notes.

Poured in De Molen snifter

Appearance: The 12 has a reddish/brown hue and pours a white/tan head. Laces the glass quite well.

Smell: This is where the beer really sets itself apart from other quads. It has the beautiful fruity smell so typical of Westvleteren beers. Not surprisingly, sweet dark fruits hit the nose first. Like the 8, the esters really shine through right off the bat. It's reminiscent of old fashioned bubble gum, the kind you find at a baseball game. Bready aromas, like fresh rye covered with stroop. Caramel and toffee mixes in with all these scents to make the 12 smell more like a dessert than a beer.

Taste: The sharp dark fruit bite is at the forefront and is pleasantly, but ever so slightly bitter. Like the smell, the taste of the beer is more comparable to a desert cake than a beer. Dates, raisins, brown sugar, toffee, and clove all mix together to attempt to veil the alcohol. The bready malts form a good base to the beer, reigning in, and complementing all the other aspects.

Overall: This is a truly beautiful beer. The pleasant dark fruit bite reminds me of the Westmalle dubbel, which isn't surprising considering they share the same yeast (or so I've heard). I'm not on the bandwagon of ''Westvleteren 12: Best Beer in the World'' but I will say it surely is one of the greatest. It is delicately crafted, and a real treat to the taste buds.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 12:22:00 | More by truebluebums

vfgccp

New York

4.49/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Dark, hazy, muddy brown. Mixed foam, off-white head. Ok retention and lace.

S - Milk chocolate, prune, fennel, pumpernickel bread, rum soaked fruit cake.

T - Huge flavor profile. Prune, caramel, toasted raisin bread, milk chocolate, vanilla, Drambuie, honey.

M - Thick, boozy, full body. Smooth, lingering finish.

O - Doesn't disappoint. Outstanding nose, and incredible integration and balance on the flavor profile. The best Quad I've had to date.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 21:12:45 | More by vfgccp

ckollias

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this bottle out of a Belgian tulip glass.

A: Pours a caramel brown hue with a huge, frothy, white, 3-finger head that slowly dissipates down the side of the glass leaving no trail but a huge persistent lace.

S: Dark fruit sour aroma with an apple twinge.

T: Slightly sour dark fruit flavor with a slight fizzy caramel flavor.

M: Very strong and boozy but masked nicely. Medium body and high carbonation.

O: This beer didn't disappoint. Great aromas and complex flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 01:32:42 | More by ckollias