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

MCain04

Illinois

4.54/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle from my Westy brick on 12/12/12. Poured into the Westy Chalice.

Appearance: Dark muddy opaque brown. Solid 1 finger head with awesome retention and lacing. Impressive.

Smell: Raisins, figs, a little nutty, some apples, grapes, nice but not jumping out on the nose.

Taste: Right along with the nose. Raisins and figs mainly. Malty aftertaste. A little dry on the aftertaste. Alcohol is a tad evident but not displeasing.

Feel: Moderate to high carbonation, nice for the style. Really smooth. Only a little viscous, without being too syrupy. Somewhat sticky.

Overall: World-class quad. Happy to have had the opportunity to taste it. I don't think it blows all other Trapist quads out of the water, but it definitely has a stake in the "best quad in the world" contest. Hard to say it is that much better than Rochefort 10 though, so given the availability of the latter, I'm not sure it's worth the trouble and price of going after more than once.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 04:27:18 | More by MCain04

thebigredone

Wisconsin

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

Big, big thanks to Jon for including this as an EXTRA in our most recent trade!

Pours with a 1 1/2 finger white head on top of a nice dark brown/purplish/redish body.

The smell is amazing, with sweet dark fruits dominating the nose.

The taste is much more complex, chocolate upfront, dark fruits in the mid-palate, and belgian yeast with smoke taking over the finish. Great beer to sip slowly, each taste is different.

On the whole, a beer I was super excited to try, and the quality lived up to the hype.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 04:11:49 | More by thebigredone

Festigio

Illinois

4.99/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Bought the brick from a binny's in Chicago

A: Appearance is almost a flawless dark deep hazy brown, very appealing

S: Fantastic, you've never smelled beer like this. Smell is similar to red-wine, a lot of dark fruit, fig, date, and a hint of booze. My description couldn't give it justice.

T: This beer will not blow you away. It is not extreme or striking, but It is masterfully balanced. You get all the right flavors in the right order, with the wonderful yeast derived flavors piloting the ship the whole time while maintaining a very drinkable character.

M: Again balance like no other. Very full mouthfeel with a slight boozy trail leading into a very surprisingly clean and crisp finish. Interesting for a quad.

O: This beer succeeds where Rochefort 10 fails. 10 is a very good beer but can be a bit messy at times in the taste and feel department. But this beer fails at its whalez status. I could session this beer alll day.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 19:57:00 | More by Festigio

MarcWP

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

The infamous.

Pours a dark brown fig color with a one finger off white milk curd color head. The bubbles speak to you as they settle and pop. It's funny how much attention we give to appearance, aroma, and flavor. The sound of the bubbles mid-symphony in a quiet room transports me to the abbey where these monks brew this beer and I imagine how it must transform the atmosphere of there silent fortress.

The aroma tells a story of typical quad nuances. Milk chocolate, burnt fig, sweet date, and a hint of fresh tobacco. The flavor speaks of the same subject but with roller coaster flavor spikes and a semi-sweet yet balanced finish. The vinous notes play wonderfully with the dark malt spirit while the hops balance out the sweetness to create a marvelously crafted beer.

Dark bread, fig paste, vanilla bean, tart cherry, green tobacco with fire on its heels converging on smoke. Those are the prominent characters in this novel of creation via traditional yet soulfully transcending ways. A delightful voyage to say the least.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2013 04:54:03 | More by MarcWP

mithrascruor

California

4.51/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

11.2 oz. bottle (Shelton Bros. import) poured into a chalice at a beer bar.

It has been a while since I last reviewed a beer on here, but since this has been one of my holy grails for many years, I figure I ought to review now that I've finally tried it.

Poured a dark brown color with minimal bubbly head. Aroma of dark malts, and the tiniest hint of fruit. Taste was similar, with perhaps even less fruits, but the sweetness was balanced, I thought. Nice, solid mouthfeel.

The first time I had St. Bernardus 12 (per my review here), I enjoyed it but didn't think it was great (it is a bit more dry and less fruity than Rochefort 10) - my like it it has grown very much over the years, and to be honest, I doubt that I could tell the difference between the two if I couldn't see the bottle. Until I manage to do a side-by-side of Westy 12 and Bernardus 12, I'll side with the assertions that these are effectively the same beer.

While an excellent beer, I have no interest in trying this again until I manage to visit the brewery. For the outrageous price of $40, I could have enjoyed the same experience with a bottle of St. Bernardus 12 six times over...

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 02:30:41 | More by mithrascruor

SlothB77

Virginia

4.8/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

12 ounce bottle poured into a 4-ounce tasting glass

A: Light brown/ amber color with thick very light brown/ almost white foamy top.

S: Strong floral aromas with citrus and lemon; passionfruit, tropical fruit.

T: A complex flavor that starts with milk chocolate, then switches to a malty belgian white flavor with citrus, bitterness and a lemony sour finish. There is also a smokey flavor too. Finally, there is a peppery spice that permeates the entire taste.

M: Heavy-bodied, medium carbonation, medium-high acidity, not that bitter. Very smooth.

O: "The flavor of a quad without the cloying"; "complex flavor"; "fruity like a Belgian white, but the feel of a triple or a quad", there is a lot going on with this beer. The flavor starts with a creamy chocolate/ coffee and ends with a sour lemon bite. It was excellent. I enjoyed it tremendously.

Serving type: nitro-bottle

01-27-2013 14:36:54 | More by SlothB77

nUgZ

North Carolina

4.11/5  rDev -11.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a dark amber color with a two finger head and a little lacing.

S: Dark fruits, apple, and a little alcohol.

T: Sweet dark fruits, nuts, yeast, and a touch of alcohol. Hides the alcohol pretty well for a 10.2% beer. Pretty damn easy to drink.

M: Medium to heavy bodied with good carbonation.

O: This is a pretty enjoyable beer. It's fairly complex, easy to drink, and it hides the alcohol well. I'm glad I got to try it, but I wouldn't put forth the effort to get another bottle. It's not one I'd wait in line for.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 00:00:18 | More by nUgZ

DDesruez

Belgium

4.24/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

I just had this beer and i have to accept it's absolutely one of the best beers I ever tasted. Only the Sint Bernardus 12 seems to be close. The taste is very full and has a kind of wooden taste. The Westvleteren 8 is absolutely more fruity, but less exceptionnal.

I absolutely recommend the beer and the website that helped me to get the beer for a good price (even if i don't know if this is allowed in my review: http://westvleteren12.webs.com/ )

Enjoye

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 22:23:06 | More by DDesruez

IPA4LIFE

United Kingdom (England)

4.78/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A- Dark brown color with ruby-red hues in it. Tan, effervescent 1 inch head popped up with an aggressive amount of fizz. The head seemed a bit too watery for me. Basically, I expected more of a fluffy, sturdy head. The head is my one mark-down on appearance.

S- Spice notes, with vanilla, brown sugar and clove.Fairly phenolic. Very small notes of fig.Aroma isn't as bold as the taste, but it is consistent and nice.

T- Ok, here we have something special. Deep roast caramel malty flavors, brown sugar, vanilla, clove and allspice, burnt marshmallow,and dried fig are all present. Sweetness that is almost like a Dr. Pepper (in the best way possible). Aftertaste is dark dried cherries and a hint of vanilla. Warm hints of booze matched with strong phenols and a very dry finish make this one of the best tasting, most complex beers out there.

M- Fairly full-bodied, really nice.

O- This is a solid, solid, beer. I am very glad to have tried it, and the taste really is world class. Some of the subtleties of this beer just can't be found anywhere else. With that being said, I don't think I would constantly hunt this beer down or seek it out. Given another chance, I would love to drink it, but the money and effort are at the far end of my tolerance for acquiring beer, when something like St. Bernadaus 12 or Chimay 12 is readily available. With all of that said- I would still have to concur that this is the King of Belgian beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 01:31:51 | More by IPA4LIFE

ryan1788a5

Massachusetts

4.74/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

11.2oz bottle poured into a wide mouthed snifter, taking care not to disturb the yeast. Best before date of 10/2/15 is stamped on the cap.

A: Pours a dark, mildly hazy brown color. The rocky, off-white head rises at least four fingers atop the glass, even on a pour of average strength. The head is quite persistent, and a thick crown remains as long as there is beer in the glass. Lacing consists of a single jagged ring and the odd patch here and there.

S: Very fruity on the nose with aromas of fig, date, plum, pear, and bruised apples. Complex yeasty scents. Nutty, earthy, slightly musty, hint of leather. Brown cocoa and bread crust. Very restrained whiff of spicy alcohol. Subtle cracked pepper and spice.

T: Treacle, brown sugar, molasses, dark caramel. Slight phenolic edge brings peppery and spicy tastes. Subtle earthy/herbal hop character. Dried figs, dates, and rum-soaked golden raisins. Honeyed sweetness. Earthy, musty, and nutty yeast. Spicy alcohol is barely noticeable toward the back end. Drying finish of brown cocoa and fading yeasty spice.

M: Moderately heavy in body. Mouth-filling, creamy, lush, and ridiculously smooth. Carbonation caresses the palate and scrubs and lifts subtly and seamlessly. Warming in the mouth and in the pit of the stomach. This might possibly be the best mouthfeel I've ever experienced.

O: So this is Westvleteren 12, perhaps the most elusive and highly rated beer on the planet. I must say, its reputation is certainly deserved. This beer is a work of seamless balance and grand complexity. It just feels more focused and more refined than any other beer within the style, and it may well be the most drinkable beer of its size. There are those within the style that draw very close comparisons, and some may even have a slight edge in terms of complexity and depth of flavor. However, it's the balance and sheer drinkability that set Westvleteren 12 apart and make it worthy of its place among the world's elite beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 01:35:04 | More by ryan1788a5

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.6/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5

33cl bottle into a snifter, dated 18.01.15, so it should be about a year old

A: Pours a deep amber color, a tad lighter than expected for the style. Three fingers of foam developed quite quickly, a bit prickly, but with pretty good retention. Lacing is good.

S: Spices are most evident in this beer, moreso than I'm used to for the style - orange bitters, licorice, and cardamom. A strong, malty sweetness helps balance this spiced aroma with prunes and plum. Very well balanced.

T: Sweeter than expected from the aroma, I get a strong plum flavor to start. Prunes quickly come in after that with a fairly strong caramel sweetness. The caramel and dark fruits play well off each other. The spiciness from the aroma is also in the flavor, balancing the sweetness. I get mostly cardamom with a bit of peppercorn.

M: Medium bodied for the style with slightly stronger than average carbonation. This beer was very easy to drink.

O: This beer was consumed in about ten minutes. Even while reviewing, it just went down so quickly, even while picking out all the complexities present. This is a complex, yet quaffable beer that begs you to keep drinking more. Good thing I have three more on order.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 14:44:18 | More by coreyfmcdonald

Trilogy31

California

4.5/5  rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Thanks matt for the bottle share. In the nose i oddly get almost a hefeweisse yeast - slight banana and clove, bakers chocolate, bready malts and carob as well. Thick rich and lush on the palate; bring the flavors on the nose with a dry almost earthy finish. Very complex stuff that i am not equipped to describe. Beautiful head with a ruby tinted hue on the basic quad brown color. Very excited to try this and an excellent beer but not close to the best i have had. Bottle was a usa export.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 05:08:28 | More by Trilogy31

Zach136

Georgia

4.56/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Quads of Fame Blind Taste Test

Bottle from the Brick Pack "expires" 10.2.2015

A - Dark, deep amber, thick pillow of a head.

S - Lght nose, some grapefruit and red wine.

T - Rich but hot and boozy, a bit of yeast. Very complex dark fruits.

M - Nice thick feel but not too sweet, big fan.

O - Very great beer it actually came in third for our test, but it was still amazing and worth it. I can't wait to pop open my other bottles in a few years.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 02:43:36 | More by Zach136

pmarlowe

California

4.41/5  rDev -5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Much thanks to jgluck and mdfb79 for this. XII release. Tulip glass.

A: Pours a medium-dark, dull coffee brown with a finger of sand colored head. Pretty good clarity, excellent retention and lacing.

S: Vanilla/cream and red and dark fruits (black cherry, plum) and mild caramel in the secondary. Lots of fruit but it's in balance. Almost candyish.

T: Rich, delicious red and dark fruit, finishing with mild bitterness, sweet malt, and a little booze. Really clean, balanced flavor makes this very drinkable.

M: Creamy texture, medium body and medium-high carbonation.

O: Very drinkable, nice complexity. Its excellence is not in being barrel aged, loaded with hops, or 14%, but in a superb balance and flavor.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 04:56:00 | More by pmarlowe

MrHassellYaHurd

Louisiana

4.51/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a tulip-type glass. Deep ruby color--quite clear before including the yeast. White head with small, dense bubbles quickly falls, though leaving persistent lacing.

The smell of this brew was of candied apples, figs, and a backnote of a sweet dessert wine.

Like the smell, there is a sweet dessert wine flavor, a sweet hint of alcoholic heat, and deep candied figs and apricots. The carbonation lends a peppery quality to the taste. There is a sweetness in the background. Though this is a pretty serious beer, it isn't terribly heavy in texture.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 00:58:10 | More by MrHassellYaHurd

HiGravShawn

Louisiana

4.56/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Deep red brown. Thick fizzy head which settles into some nice lacing.

S: Earth and prunes with a little spiciness.

T: Rich and earthy with tons of dark fruit and deep complex Belgian sugar flavor. The warmth from alcohol is present and blends nicely with the depth for flavor for a pleasant mind dulling enjoyment.

M: Medium to heavy in body with a good dose of carbonation. This is my one complaint as it hides the flavor and took a few sips to adjust to the fizziness. Carbonation with fruitiness initially gave me an initial perception of a carbonated wine.

O: This definitely lives up to the hype. I am not disappointed at all. I have one more bottle so will probably refine this when I break it open.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 19:00:55 | More by HiGravShawn

BilbosNuts

California

4.33/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Bluz4Frank fro hooking me up with this.
Poured from a 330mL bottle into a tulip glass.

A: Pours a beautiful garnet color with a deep red hue. A one finger, pearl white head sits on to and reduces to a thin film across the top after a few minutes. Some spotted lacing is left behind.

S: A wonderful blend of dark fruits (blackberries, raspberries, and dark cherries) come through initially. There is significant sweetness, along with a nice caramel malt backbone.

T: Very similar to the aroma with a blast of sweet Belgian sugar, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries. It ends with a slight alcohol finish.

M: Medium bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Finishes a little hot, but the sweet dark fruits keep you coming back.

O: This definitely lives up to the hype. I am not disappointed at all. Glad I was able to try it, now I must get more.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 06:10:28 | More by BilbosNuts

PsilohsaiBiN

New York

4.38/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2012 Bottle, drinking out of the chalice:

Appearance: Dark brown with an off-white head that has some staying power. Definitely looks unfiltered with some nice yeast chunks swirling around like snow in a globe.

Smell: Booze, brown sugar, dark fruit, raspberries and some biscuity aroma.

Taste: Definitely in line with the nose. Brown sugar paired with dark fruit up front, with some berry and red wine notes that give way to a bread biscuit middle. This all fades out into the smoothest of finishes that kind of just sees everything decrescendo into a pleasant bready finish, that leaves you longing for the next sip. There is some booze noticeable in the middle/end depending on how you drink, but it's nothing overbearing and definitely far from harsh.

Mouthfeel: Not too much, not too little. Just right for this gravity and lends to the "drinkability" *cringe.*

Overall: Don't know if it lives up to the godly hype(what beer can?) but make no mistake, this is a balanced, delicious beer with a great flavor profile that didn't disappoint me.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 03:49:09 | More by PsilohsaiBiN

trxxpaxxs

New York

3.55/5  rDev -23.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

MASSIVE thanks to Rempo for this bottle...

Cap date: 29.10.05

A: Pours a murky brown and tan with a thin ring of pure white head around the edges of the glass. The foam ring lingers for as long as the beer is in the glass. There is no lacing as it drinks.

S: The nose is quite interesting. I get alcohol burn, berry notes, malt, and sugar. To be perfectly honest... it smells like some sort of cough syrup.

T: This beer tastes like moldy berries, soaked pumpernickel bread, rock candy, and booze.

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet to start and cloying.

O: I know this beer has a huge claim to fame, but I'm just not a fan. I have had this many times in the past year, in a bunch of different vintages, and I remain firm on my ranking. I just don't like it. I don't understand all the hype. I can only trust my taste-buds. What I will say, is that I like this beer much better when it is fresh. This particular bottle has 10+ years on it.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 22:53:50 | More by trxxpaxxs

Spectre

California

4.08/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is a great beer but I personally have had better at a smaller expense.

Gold/brown body with thick tan head. Has a sweet and spicy smell with matching flavor that pops while going down. Does not go down smooth but doesn't really need to considering this is one that you will sip slow.

Overall this beer is better than average and has a lot of flavor that will get better with age.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 21:46:04 | More by Spectre

Chaney

District of Columbia

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

Sent to me about a year ago from Harrymel who had just gotten back from Belgium. Thanks Harry!

Served in an Olde Hickory shaped glass.

A: Rich, caramel brown red, with tons of yeasties suspended in what looked like dirty gelatin. The frothy, mocha head didn't go anywhere throughout the entire session Gorgeous!

S: So complex. First and foremost, it smells like a red wine through and through. It's not the usual blend of dark fruit such as plums, figs, and brown sugar. This is much brighter. I got grapes, Sweet Tarts, currants, and maybe a mild undertow of figs.

T: A bit more beer-like in its flavor, not in the least bit overly sweet, and still with a nice red wine bill. The aftertaste is smooth and silky at first, but then of bit of boozy bitterness slaps the palate. For some reason, I get a good bit of apple flavor here as well. Remarkable!

M: Creamy and scrumptious, not sweet or cloying, and with a near perfect carbonation bill. The bitterness was played with a steady hand and I'm still in awe of how they got that element of this brew pitch perfect. The lacing left on the glass was ridiculous.

O: They don't call this the "World's Best Beer" for nothing. With out a doubt, the most remarkable quad to ever hit my palate. Sensational!

Serving type: bottle

01-09-2013 03:14:45 | More by Chaney

IggsRay

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

I've had a few bottles of this over the last few years, and am always amazed at this beer. I at first wanted it to be awful so I didn't have to keep driving over and getting some, but unfortunately I was wrong. The hype is true. Pours a nice dark caramel/toffee color. Bit khaki head that slowly falls and leaves plenty of lacing behind. The smell is a nice blend of caramel, vanilla, figs, raisins, malt, molasses, and dried black cherries. The taste is just as complex and leaves nothing to be desired. A nice sweetness in the finish and it leaves you wanting, craving, more. World class beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 18:25:12 | More by IggsRay

GodOfBeer

Ontario (Canada)

4.78/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Finally got to try this beer with the notorious god-like reputation. Was slightly inebriated which might affect my judgement or review. But nonetheless, it poured a dark murky brown with a tan head. Very nice lacing.

The smell is wonderful. Lots of sweetness, dark fruits, like a typical Trappist beer, but this one overwhelms the senses in so many way.

Lots of breadiness and sweetness on the palette. A fantastic array of dark fruits, caramel malts, vanila, apple. Lots of spices. The alcohol is extremely well hidden and this is crazily drinkable!

The best Trappist beer I've ever had, but not the best beer I've ever had...I have yet to try that I think.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 06:20:13 | More by GodOfBeer

ryanfolty

Minnesota

4.68/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Date: October 22, 2011 Mode: Bottle Source: Darkness Day. Full description not available as I sampled way too many beers during Darkness Day! October 27, 2012 had a 40 year old bottle at Darkness Day. Had the familiar Westy taste and palate, but was diminished noticeably. Past its prime, but still better than most other beers out there. No change to my ratings.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 23:22:42 | More by ryanfolty

brewsclues

Pennsylvania

4.98/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from notes 5-27-12

Trappist Beer Night!

The Granddaddy of Them All: Westie 12. Hype and Expectation vs. Substance and Quality. This beer, quite likely, had to overcome the highest expectations of any beer I have ever had. Ever. Heck, we paid $28 for one bottle. This one had better blow my socks off, pick them up, throw them in the laundry with the whites, rinse, dry, press, and return to my calloused feet before I would be impressed (proverbially speaking, that is).

Short story: It impressed. Oh, how it impressed!

Big, rich, brie cheesy. Like opening a barn door on a dairy farm. Yeast jumping out of the bottle. Musky and manure-y. (Yes, that kind of manure.) Creamy, yet crisp. Complex flavors of dark fruits and figs. An aftertaste of aged red wine. Edgy, but not confrontational. Subtle and smooth, yet not without a wild streak. The Quad of Quads and Trappist of Trappists!

The Legend of the XII Lives. Long Live Westie 12.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 17:51:04 | More by brewsclues