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

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

JamesShoemaker

New York

4.15/5  rDev -10.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle poured into a goblet. Just sent up a flare on the ISO:FT forum and got a hit for this bad boy in less than an hour (thanks Kevin!). I'm glad those monks needed a new roof.

A - honestly, I've had enough of the heavy hitting quads to know that they all pour a big head. Westvleteren 12 is no different: huge foam is relentless throughout, but there's hardly any sediment. Brown and plain, but certainly not unattractive.

S - yum. Westy 12 smells like a complete dinner. There's a lot of sweet stickiness that hits the nose at first, caramel maybe, but then it turns savory, meaty, and substantive.

T - not quite as sweet as I expected from reading the reviews, but there's definitely something lacking in the taste, a kind of emptiness that hits right at the end. Some quads, like Rochefort 10, can get over this yeasty hump, but I don't think Westy 12 does it quite as successfully. There's plenty of sweetness on the front, but very little of the savoriness I got from the smell.

M - incredibly creamy and smooth. No carbonation to speak of, no alcohol to speak of, though after a bottle I need to take a short break. The sweetness isn't sticky like a BW, but it's definitely present.

O - I don't think I'll be seeking this (expensive) brew out in the future, but it's definitely right up there with the best of them. I will proverbially ask, "is it the best beer in the world?" The answer is clearly a subjective, "no," but it's something to seek.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 00:40:14 | More by JamesShoemaker

wilkowski

Maryland

4.93/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Shared two bottles with two good friends on Saturday (16 Mar 2013)

A: Deep brown with a thin lacing that hangs around.

S: Incomparable. The first glass was poured a few feet away from me and I could smell the aroma from there. Beautiful warm yeasty bread, rich dark fruits, plum, malt and more malt. Soft is the best word I have. I wish I could keep my nose in a glass of this all day long.

T: Follows the aroma. Complex, gorgeous, bold, but also well balanced. Heavenly.

M: Mouthfeel is great. Good, slightly high carbonation.

O: The best beer in the world? I'm surprised to say "yes".

We lined up two bottles of St Bernardus Abt 12 afterwards for comparison. Extremely similar but the Westy is noticeably better in almost every respect. Prior to this, the St. Bernardus Abt 12 was probably my favorite beer and I was blown away by how good the Westvleteren 12 was. I did not expect it to live up to the reputation, but it did and I'm happy to cross this off the bucket list.

Serving type: bottle

03-20-2013 20:16:17 | More by wilkowski

Mpollard

Germany

4.94/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Just my opinion...I have seen the reviews of this beer fall after the sale of the gift packs in the US. I must say that those who rushed into drinking one right away missed out. I know it must have been very difficult to wait however, to let this beer ripen for a few years one would find a more earthy, well balanced flavor, without the alcohol burn at the end. I love this beer, just opened a bottle dated 14/12/14 which I bought at the Abby in 2011 and based it against one bought last month. The favors of the fruits are more pronounced/distinctive throughout. If you have any left, store it properly and let it sit for a few years, then review it again.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 20:02:58 | More by Mpollard

hopjake

Alabama

4.89/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into Westy XII goblets that came with the brick - split this bottle with my brother. Cellaring the other 5 for a while. Murky, hazy brown with yellowish tan head. Familiar Belgian funk with dark fruit aroma. Tastes much the same, with plum, raisins, and yeasty spice. Perfect carbonation - less than a tripel, but still high as Belgians usually are. Perfectly balanced. I haven't had a lot of quads, but this one stands out. Pretty close to St. Bernardus 12, but has a little something extra. I'll have to A-B them sometime.

Now if I could just get my hands on the 8 and Blonde...

Thanks to Jerry at The J Clyde for getting the brick to my family for an awesome Christmas present.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2013 14:07:39 | More by hopjake

Dodo2step

Pennsylvania

4.91/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

P- Thanks to buddy Donn in Germany for this brew!

A- a fig/raisin like color that is soemwhat hazy. A nice 2 finger head that is fluffy and sticky. perfect!

S- dark fruits: plums, raisins and figs. subtle caramel malts that complement the brew nicely.

F- Wow, i can see why this brewery and its beers are highly revered. This has great flavor tones of figs and raisins mixed with the malts. I have nothing bad to say. I mean it was just like a big sigh. taseful and relaxing.

M- Slightly carabonated but very very smooth and creamy. It is like eating a plum with a lil bit of brown sugar and it slides all the way down.

O- best beer i have ever had to date. World class and i am grateful i could have it.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 17:09:11 | More by Dodo2step

tastymug

Ohio

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

Appearance: Pours hazy, barely opaque chestnut color. Minimal head in this particular pour but was sharing with a friend. It has very fine bubbles that retain around the edges of the glass.

Smell: Just the right hint of sweet with dark fruits, raisins, plums, maybe some cherry, caramel and subtle malts.

Taste: At first sip it is clear why this was a highly renowned beer. It is complex, but perfectly balanced with just the right combination of sweet flavors that taste of dark fruits like fig or plums. There is caramel, brown sugar and a very subtle hint of spiciness at the end. There’s a pleasant warmth from the alcohol as it’s consumed.

Mouthfeel: Moderate in body, very smooth and creamy on the palate, the oxidation sits on the tongue. The fine bubbles round out the mouth feel with perfectly balanced carbonation.

Overall: Most anyone should be able to taste why this is one of the top beers in the world. It is complex yet perfectly balanced, has excellent flavor, and overall is one of the best beers I’ve ever tried. The drinkability is off the charts and I really wish I could say I had more than just the one bottle that I tried. I think it’s absolutely worth every penny and if I ever make it over to Belgium I’ll be making my way over to the Abbey of Saint Sixtus.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 01:54:49 | More by tastymug

Jonada

New Jersey

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

Best by 11/29/2015. Served in a Chimay goblet

Appearance: Pours a murky brown color with some visible yeast sediment floating in the glass. There was slightly more than a finger of a frothy light tan head with good retention and lacing.

Smell: Rum soaked dark fruits. Raisin, fig, plum, caramel, brown sugar, belgian yeast

Taste: Similar to the nose. More booze soaked raisins, fig, cherry, sweet bread, apple, yeast spice

Mouthfeel: Lighter side of full bodied with medium carbonation. It has a soft, slightly creamy mouthfeel that's really nice. Alcohol is hidden incredibly well. Goes down so smooth.

Overall: There's no doubt this is a world class beer. I would rank this as my #1 quad. If you've never tried it, I would recommend seeking out a bottle, and maybe a couple extras to save for special occasions. With that being said, is it worth the extra money and effort it would take to obtain this on any type of semi regular basis? In my opinion, no (and I don't know that there's any beer out there that would be).

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 05:45:18 | More by Jonada

weonfire

Kentucky

4.23/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle Date: 28/11/15. I assume that means 3 years out? so this was bottled on on Nov 28, 2012?

A - Burbandy/brown. pencil thin light mocha head. constant carbonation along glass. barely opaque.

S - Chocolate, cherry, dates, carmel and boozy.

T - initially carbonation hits, cherry, dates, toffee and chocolate tones. finish is bit hoppy and pretty boozy. certainly taste the 10.2 ABVs

M - Very frothy and high carbonation. certainly not thick. almost tastes a bit thin.

O - This is not what I was expecting at all. Much more boozy, missing the thick velvety feel. While yes, a number of complex enjoyable flavors but nothing mind blowing. Rochefort 10 & St. Bernardus abt 12, which I thought were supposed to be similar, blow this away. It is a good beer and I like it, I would order it again, but I am astounded this the 'Best Beer in the World'. I come away disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 18:36:18 | More by weonfire

magictacosinus

California

4.79/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Scored a bottle of this recently, which was broken off the brick gift packs released earlier this year. Definitely wasn't cheap, but when is another opportunity going to come by to try this? Poured into a tulip glass out of a 11.2oz bottle. Split the costs and drinking effort with a friend. Freshness date is printed as "0/0/2015."

Since it was split, can't say much for these bottles' full potential in maintaining head, but even a half pour yielded classic results I expect in a quad. A dark-plum, brownish tone, a decent half finger of head, and wonderful sticky lacing all around. The color is not opaque, but this thing is definitely viscous with the alcohol and yeast included. Has tremendous alcohol legs, and looks delightful yet pretty much identical any great quad I've had in in the style.

The aroma is a combination of dark dried fruits, as expected, alongside grassy hop characteristics and deepened caramel notes. Plums, figs, and raisins are chock-filled here, and presented in an alcohol soaked manner. Unlike Rochefort 10, I'm not getting too much of the boozy, rum notes, and instead find myself surprised to find this to rather different, in the sense where there's a huge grain/malt character soaked with alcohol, as well as bright yeasty notes. The hoppiness really balances out things here, and makes it complex without being too overwhelming. Delightful!

The flavor takes things to an even greater level, by continuing the bright fruit and hop zest, and yet revealing the most notable aspect about this beer. Despite having tons of flavors and complexity, this is SO crisp and juicy to drink! The fruit flavors feel almost pruned and awash with full-bodied texture, as well as having a crisp graininess that resembles toasted caramel. Not too many spices here, or medicinal for that manner. Clove comes in, but it's very subtle. Syrupy yeastiness finds its way with well balanced carbonation. There's definitely a lot of heat that rises at the back of the throat with the alcohol, and the grassy hop flavors tingle the cheeks after each sip. This is ridiculously easy to drink. Can't taste the alcohol, and the ingredients all are well represented overall, each which comes in different phases during consumption.

This ever elusive, frustratingly difficult beer to obtain definitely lives up to being among the greats. If I could find a bottle for half the price I paid I definitely would get it again. All the ingredients come together beautifully and paint a portrait of what it's trying to be. However, the painting never seems to fully reveal itself in the long run, leaving much to be desired and examined by the time the final sip is made. Even if this beer were easier to find, it still would be the stuff of poets. In the end, no matter what anyone gets from this beer, it is extremely hard to deny that this is a beer made with wonderful care and passion from the monks of St. Sixtus, and represents what makes Belgian beer so unique and delicious in the beer world. Don't miss out on a chance to try this.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 19:16:49 | More by magictacosinus

sommersb

Tennessee

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

Tasted On: 03-04-2013
Freshness: Best by 2015
Packaging: 330ml brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Chalice
Purchased: Received in a trade

Really stoked to finally try this beer! Review #500

Pours a clear and dark reddish-brown color; the last pour adds some yeast murkiness. The off-white head is huge and has a superb amount of retention and excellent lacing. Lots of bubbles are seen streaming from the bottom of the glass.

Aromas feature sweet malt and dark fruits, such as figs, dates, grapes and raisin. Other aromas include musty, oak notes and spicy yeast.

The taste is similar to the nose, starting with dark, sweet malts with hints of molasses, licorice and dark cherries. Also has a woody character to it, although the bitterness is very low if not non-existent. Other flavor notes include an acidity or tartness of tannin, as in a wine. Smooth but complex

The mouthfeel is at first dominated by the very high carbonation level, with a medium to thick body. Has a fairly potent alcohol warming presence. The finish is semi-sweet with lingering dark and ripened fruits. Tastes better as the beer warms up a bit.

Overall this was a pleasure to sip on. Is it one of the world's best beers? Not sure, but probably so; it's hard to evaluate this without being somewhat influenced by the notoriety. It's in the top ten of the 500 ones I've reviewed. Either way, I'm excited to have tried this and would recommend it heartily!

Thanks to baybum for this one!

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 05:03:28 | More by sommersb

ErraticToast

Maryland

2.71/5  rDev -41.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 1.25 | overall: 1.75

A- copper/brown
S- Fruits
T- I didn't get much taste what so ever from this beer due to the carbonation
M- This is the part that I think completely ruined this beer for me. This beer was so heavily carbonated that it felt like it swelled in my mouth and made it hard to get down. Due to this fact I actually contemplated drain pouring, but I sucked it up and finished it.

I will try another bottle I have I don't know if this one was off or what. Once I try the other I will update my review.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 05:48:25 | More by ErraticToast

cdmillard

Maryland

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

Just back from Belgium where I was able to pick up some Westvleteren 12. I'm not a professional by any stretch, but had to chime in here.

A- It pours a deep coppery brown, with light foamy head that forma a nice lace along the glass.

S- The bouquet on this is very complex, and fantastic. Breads with dark fruits, and the alcohol jumps out at me, but not overpowering. It all blends together nicely.

T- The flavors in this are incredible, combined with strong, but not overpowering alcohol. Combines perfectly. The flavors seem to change throughout, seeming sweeter to me toward the bottom. The maltiness is nicely offset by just the right amount of bitterness to create an incredible balance.

MF- Lighter than expected, with nice carbonation. I love Quads, but this one has a different feel to it.

O- Best beer in the world? This will always be a atter of opinion and personal taste. For me, it's on of the top 2 or 3. Just a shame that more can't try this wonderful beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 14:13:12 | More by cdmillard

Belgianbeerbunny

Illinois

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

I feel privileged to try this elegant and subtle quad. It did not disappoint and was worth the small fortune I spent to get it here from Belgium.

A - Half an inch of froth that gives way to impressive lacing. Deep reddish-brown. Can I bring out burnt sienna again in a review?

S - Yeast and subtle vine fruits.

T - Sweet yeast and booze. So elegant and well-balanced . One flavor does not overpower another.

MF - My bottle had fairly substantial carbonation. Very refreshing and not as heavy as other quads.

O - All of the pieces come together to make an exquisite puzzle. Very easy to drink, but very difficult to describe.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 03:11:25 | More by Belgianbeerbunny

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

3.89/5  rDev -16.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Trappist Westvleteren XII @ 10.2% , from 'The Brick' purchased for $60

A-pour is a dark amber with a small fine off white head leaving a lace ring along the supplied goblet's

S-fruity & floral , a slight varation on the classic Belgian yeast

T-smooth crisp & strong , hints of a slight bittersweet finish

MF-low carbonation , full bodied , very pleasant on the palate

Ov-not the best beer in the world but a damn good one

sampled alongside Trappist Rochefort 10 and other Belgian beers recently

prost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 20:17:53 | More by LampertLand

TripelBlove

4.14/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Not too much into Quads but the rarity of this beer definitely hyped up my thoughts on it...definitely worth a try and glad I got to try it.

Sharing this beer with other people might have lessened my thoughts on it a little bit since I only got about 4 oz. of it, but with it being so rare, I had to share it with friends in order to compensate for the cost of it.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 22:10:49 | More by TripelBlove

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

Therisse

California

4.05/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look: Head was pretty consistant, cloudy body, very tiny bubbles, and a caramel color

Aroma: I smelled some copper, as well as bread, it had minerality to it, and hints of cocoa

Flavor: What stood out to me the most were the flavors of chocolate, plum, and bread. There was a sweetness that was somewhere between that of cane sugar and brown sugar. I also tasted hints of copper and cinnamon.

Mouth feel: Full body, bubbles were at a nice consistency.

Overall: Not a huge fan of Belgiums but this is a nice beer. Complex yet nicely balanced :)

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 18:14:31 | More by Therisse

justyouraveragebeerguy

Illinois

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

The best beer in the world apparently!!

A- a deep golden/brown color, there is some yeast settlement at the bottom of the bottle

S- Dried figs, big malty sweetness, plums, rum soaked raisins.

T- Big sweetness, again those dark fruits, rum soaked raisins, a little bit of bozzyness on the back end

Overall- This is exactly what a Belgian quad should taste like. Really amazing beer. I wouldn't say it's the best beer in the world, but certainly the standard when it comes to Belgian quads.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 04:21:39 | More by justyouraveragebeerguy

cfrances33

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

2012 bottle thanks to sleuthdog. Poured into a snifter.

Pour: A hazy, muddy brownish/deep red. A nice two and half finger head forms, and leaves some pretty nice lacing.

Smell: Big candied dark fruits up front. Definitely some plum, overripe dark cherries, and raisins. Alcohol on the finish, and a certain white grape tannic aspect on this finish. Some licorice as well.

Taste: Again, loads of overripe dark fruits: plum, cherry, raisin, and figs. Lots of chewy toffee, and a root beer like aspect. Definite alcohol heat as it finishes sticky with dark fruits.

Mouthfeel: Slightly boozy. Pretty sweet, but a lot less than I was expecting.

Overall: Very, very good. I need to have another go around with the other quads, but I don't really think the style is my thing. Still, I can see how this might appeal to a lot of people. Either way, enjoyed this one!

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 02:51:09 | More by cfrances33

Bills453

Ohio

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

Poured from a bottle into the Westy 12 chalice in celebration of the birth of my second son!

Appearance - a nice dark brown, reddish, almost purple tint. Kind of the color of prune juice with some fantastic tan-brown head!

Smell - cherries, dark fruits, prunes. Bit of yeast.

Taste - an amazing mixture of fruits. Probably my favorite Belgian offering, but not my favorite beer ever.

Mouthfeel - very smooth and refreshing.

Overall - an amazing offering! I'm so glad I was able to try this and the birth of my second son is the best reason ever to crack it open.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 21:41:57 | More by Bills453

Real_BeerMAN

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

okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!!okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okey!!! okeyЭТО Россизм!!! ПОчему я УВАЖАЕМЫЙ ЧЕЛОВЕК, должен тыкать 250 раз....

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 15:33:41 | More by Real_BeerMAN

rlee1390

Indiana

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

A-Deep deep amber/brown in the glass, two finger tan head, nicely carbonated.

S-Grapes, darker fruits, bread, banana, clove, cherries.

T-Complex and balanced. Cherries, plums raisins, clove, banana. Perfect balance.

M-Medium bodied, nicely carbonated, smooth.

O-Easily the best of the quads. Now to sample it by itself and enjoy it a little more.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 00:03:34 | More by rlee1390

LeeryLeprechaun

Colorado

4.9/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Westy from brick.

Beer pours a dark crimson red color. Very clear. Beer poured with a strong head that is a creamy color and forms a nice lace on the glass.

Initially a lot of caramel in the aroma. A little bit of grape in the aroma, fairly clean esters. You can smell a lot of malt.

Very clean tasting, caramel, toffee, toast, vanilla. Malt is just amazing, a wonderful mixture of toast and roastedness. Reminds me of a dunkel almost with the balance between roasted smooth malt flavors. Plums, raisin, candy sugar, slight phenolic spice, maybe some clove as well.

Full mouthfeel. Very smooth and somewhat silky.

Not as complex as i expected but that is not a bad thing here. The malt just comes through very well. Little to no hops. The alcohol is not noticeable at all.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 01:11:08 | More by LeeryLeprechaun