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

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

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a westvleteren XII gold rimmed chalice. Huge thanks to my friend Adam for giving me this bottle, glass, and another bottle... Which I have yet to open. Everything is from one of the 12.12.12 bricks.

A: pours a deep nutty looking murky brown with a slight hint of ruby... With a gentle pour I get a creamy looking finger of slightly browned head that's dissapates to a thick film and remains forever, the retention is excellent.... Very nice lacing all the way down the glass as well.

S: at first I got a very very lightly toasted, brown breadiness... Then the sweetness stepped in, apple, caramel, toffee, raisin, plum... Smells nice

T: yum. Again right up front I notice a bit of breadyness that is quickly washed over with sweetness, caramel, toffe, apple, raisin, fig, vanilla, deffiantly sugary. The alcohol is there bit very well hidden at the same time. Then on the finish I get the lightly toasty breadyness again along with honey and more sweetness...

M: very very nice, medium body, with lush creamy carbonation which is at the same time also slightly stinging on the tounge... Velvety, creamy and lush... There is a bit of a lingering sweet aftertaste, where at the very end I find a sweet nutty chocolate note

O: this is a great beer... Would i call it the best beer in the world? No. Bit it is certainly damn good, particuarly for its style. It is a tad on the sweet and sugary side I would say. But very nice balance and flavor, along with the amazing mouthfeel put this amongst the elite few.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 05:22:59 | More by PeterIngemi

Labeorphile

Texas

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

Excited to get a hold of one of these and it wasn't cheap.

Good dark appearance with a thin off-white head. Lighter than most quads but rich.

Nose is great. Not overpowering, but hints of plum and dark fruit. Alcohol is well hidden among the fruit.

Taste is the same. Very smooth and blended. No particular taste stands out. Very balanced.

Great mouth feel with the perfect amount of carbonation. A truly amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 02:24:53 | More by Labeorphile

jdavolos88

4.95/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Oh so rare, oh so delicious. This tall, dark and handsome long-neck left me sated. I really have nothing bad to say about this beer except the obvious, availability/distribution, but that is kind of what makes it fun with beers like this.

First reaction, pop the cap, smells like barn doors just swung open and the combination of decadent material with hay had me at hello. This may sound like a terrible description, but it was the happiest I have ever been to be overtaken with the smell of a farm.

This beer hit like a delicious piece of bread lightly buttered and rich in organic material. Totally satisfied, worth the wait and price. I am tired of being laughed when I call around to find it, however.

Best Trappist, best Belgian, incredible drink.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 21:19:43 | More by jdavolos88

Guden

Maryland

4.9/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A- Medium brown, a bit muddy looking. Small off white head stays around forever (really, it doesn't fade)

S- Brown sugar, figs, plums. There's a touch of toast in the mix too. Really great bouquet.

T- Light fruitiness, some very mild spice, sweet caramel, finish is bitter sweet with a slight tang.

M- Slightly syrupy in its thickness but finishes surprisingly dry. Medium low in carbonation. Perfect for the style.

O- Entirely worth it. A great beer that is unique and awesome and I crave more...guess I'll have to make another trip to Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 00:45:32 | More by Guden

afrokaze

California

4.58/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Westy Wednesday! Had to make this my first review of 2013! 2011 bottle poured into a goblet.

Looks like the prototypical dark Belgian - dark ruby red/brown, 2 fingers of light tan head, decent legs and nice lacing all the way down the glass.

Aroma is just like a spiced caramel apple up front. Clove, slight banana, cinnamon, nutmeg. Even deeper earthy spices like anise and black pepper, tobacco, dark candi sugar. Dark fruit, figs, black currant, and more.

The perfect dessert beer. Lots of figgy pudding and cake like spice, raisin, a bit of cacao, caramel, pear, honey, candi sugar, molasses, toffee, bready malt. The richest and most layered beer I've ever had, certain flavors I can't even describe. A bit of heat distracts at the back of the palate.

This is what really sets this apart from other quads. Rich and slightly slick but sits just enough on the finish to match the rich spice and fruit, satisfying almost like spiced bread pudding and coffe cake.

Hard to deny that it's one of the best beers I've ever had. It really feels like liquid bread or a dessert - really satisfying but I could only have one every once in a while. But if I could I would definitely have it a few times a year. Absolutely delicious, and a great start to 2013.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 20:15:45 | More by afrokaze

claspada

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottled March 9, 2009.

Pours a semi-hazy dark brown color with a fairly large bubbly tan head that recedes to leave some solid lacing.

Aromas begin with an intense amount of dark raisin fruitness and caramelized sugars. As it warms you get some candy and lesser molasses notes. But the real standouts are the dark fruits consisting of dark cherries, plums, figs, and dates.

The tastes follow the nose with inital caramelized maltiness with an underlying toasted crackery maltiness. It is fairly sweet malt forward with some caramel, molasses and toffee. Once again there are strong flavors of dates and figs with some raisins and prunes as well.

The mouthfeel is on the heavier side of medium with a perfect amount of carbonation (on the heavier side) that is standard in high quality, well-made Trappist beers.

Overall I was really really really impressed with this beer. After hearing for years that a Rochefort 10 is equally on par with this if not better, I have to say that I do not agree. Maybe it is the age that made this one so special and tasty but I remember being really unimpressed with the Rochefort 10 I had around a year ago. This reminds me agreat deal of the St Bernardus 60th Anniversary beer which I previously thought was the best Belgian beer I have ever had. I would have liked to sample this next to that one to really see who is tops and I will revisit a Rochefort 10 I have been aging as well in a year to see if my memory/opinions will change but I cannot say enough about this beer right now, it was quite special indeed.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 16:07:27 | More by claspada

mschind

California

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

Got my brick on 12-12-12 and tried one on Christmas Day. Now it's time for a review. First off, I had this accompanying dinner. First a prime rib and second a lobster tail and filet. It was a perfect pairing.

A- Actually, nothing too special. Poured into the tasting glass that came with the brick and I tried very hard to get a luxurious head but it produced a moderate foamy head that lasted a minute or so. Great lacing down the glass. Medium dark clear reddish brown color.

S- Incredibly complex from plain carmel maltiness to brown bread, raisins, chocolate, vanilla and licorice.

T- Everything in the nose is here. It starts sweet and runs through the complex flavors suggested in the aroma. There is slightly bitter finish that balances the sweetness. Over all there is a malty quality that holds it all together.

M- I finally get what they mean by the term "digestible". This packs huge flavor and a good alcohol punch without being heavy or cloying. Medium body, ultra smooth and perfectly carbonated.

O- The best quad/strong dark I have had so far. Last time I finished the bottle with some dark chocolate cheesecake. Not a good match. This seems to go better with savory foods. Something that is very sweet will cancel out the complexity of this amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 03:03:02 | More by mschind

JeffreyJDavis

North Carolina

4.48/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Cracked my second bottle from my 12.12.12 Westy 12 brick between the football games on New Year's Day 2013 so that I could do a proper review. I have had the Westvleteren Blue Cap and Yellow Cap twice before in a bar, but never have I "owned" these coveted beers, and I must admit that I have taken them out of the fridge a few times to just hold them and comfort them prior to my indulgence. So now is the time to cut open the hype, and to determine whether this really is "the best beer in the world"? Is there such a thing as "the best beer in the world", any more than than the existence of the "best sex in the world"? Let's see . . . .

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle (10.02.15 date) into the gift pack chalice, after being stored at 51F in my wine cabinet all day and then sitting out at room temp for about 15 minutes. (I'm pretty sure I drank my first one last night too cold.).

A: Pours a medium mahogany / teak color which is more transparent than other quads I have had. Despite visible clumps of dark yeast coming out in the pour, the beer is not overly cloudy in the glass, but is almost burgundy around the edges. The chunky head dissipated pretty quickly and left no lacing whatsoever, a bit of a disappointment, pours like an undercarbonated Coke.

N: The nose is appealing and complex, but much more subdued than I would have expected. Relatively boozy smelling, with vanilla , apple and fig ester smells the predominant notes, backed up by a strange, though not un-appealing buttery woody aroma and the ever so slightest rucola mediciny smell.

T: Bready and malty biscuit foundation with sweet toffee, caramel and fruity notes. The more it opens up, the buttery flavors and the sweetness comes through more prominently with a cola / prune / vanilla flavor which for some reason reminds me of Dr Pepper (not a bad thing.) The taste profile is definitely complex and quite enjoyable and I got almost no warming alcohol burn. One of the more subtle quads I have ever had.

MF: This is where the Westvleteren Cistercians excel, both in the Dubbel and the Quad. The mouthfeel is just so smooth, sensual and enjoyable. The mouthfeel is much more carbonated than the beer appears in the glass, but it's almost velvety in texture.

In summary, is this a great beer? Yes. Is it the best beer in the world? For me, probably not. Like sex, everything is relative and everyone is entitled to their opinion. I've had beers that I enjoyed better, but I just slept with a super model, so I'm gonna gloat for a while.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 22:47:31 | More by JeffreyJDavis

richj1970

Alabama

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

Poured from 11.2 oz bottle from U.S. released brick into one of the chalice glasses that came with the brick.

A: Poured dark mahogany brown with a reddish tint, and a one finger head that slowly dissipated. Fair amount of lacing.

S: Fruits like plums and dates, sweet sugar, roasted malts.

T: Roasted malt, sugar, plum, dates, cherries. A nice underlying spiciness with flavors like clove and allspice.

M: Big body but not overly thick, fair amount of carbination, coats the palate nicely.

O: A very nice quad. The first couple of sips had me worried that it was going to be average, but it really improved by the time i finished it. I think it will benefit from some aging. Planning on spreading the other 5 bottles over the course of a few years.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 22:36:59 | More by richj1970

BucannonXC5

California

4.58/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Type: 11.2-oz. bottle
Glass: Trappist glass
From: Holiday Wine Cellar in Escondido, Calif.
Price: $84.99 for 6-pack + two glasses (also had to purchase $50 worth of stuff at HWC)
Misc.: Bottle cap and part on bottle said best by Jan. 8, 2015; The only time this beer has been in the U.S. and supposedly the only time it will be.

Poured a mahogany color with about a finger of off-white head that stayed forever on the top of the beer. Great thick and milky lacing on the sides. Great retention all the way down.

Smelled sour fruit up, followed by a sweet tarty flavor. Got green apple and kiwi. Also some malt backbone to it, mainly toasty caramel and toffee. Some light chocolate, too? Got better as I sat and smelled it.

Tasted similar to the nose. Just so damn smooth. Definitely could taste the alcohol up front. Some cloves, which I didn’t get in the smell. Got the green apple and tartness. Also light hints of caramel, honey

Medium body. Thin texture. Soft (below average) carbonation. Long, smooth finish.

An obviously fantastic beer. Like Frank the Tank in “Old School” said, “Once it hits your lips, it’s so good.” One of the smoothest beers I’ve ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 07:46:32 | More by BucannonXC5

mmapes

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev -11.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to Craig for the trade. Poured just before midnight on Dec. 31, 2012. Poured into a North Coast snifter (1/2) and a tulip glass (1/2). Had a St. Bernardus Abt 12 ready to go for comparison's sake. Bottle cap says 02.09.14.

First scent: beery, almost cola-ish, sweet. Pours ruby. Fizzy head. Scents of dried fruit, apple, yeasty.

First sip: brighter than expected, effervescent, full bodied but not oily or round. Beery/fruity up front, woody carmelly finish. THat's the first sip.

Later sips: cola notes again, but really a planty/woody flavor in the middle -- not something I'm used to in a beer. Expected it would be sweeter. Very long finish with alcohol and wood. Almost a mineral quality to the finish.

The bottom of the bottle poured noticeably cloudy and had slightly more body to it.

The Bernardus is almost exactly the same color. Bernardus has more of an apple scent, less of a dark dried fruit. Bernardus might be a little sweeter. Less wood. Bernardus might have a shorter finish.

All in all, a good quad. If I didn't know it was "the best beer in the world," I might not have figured it out by what's in the glass. It is very good, but I think a lot of its reputation is self-fulfilling. Would buy again if I could.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 07:08:59 | More by mmapes

Hex92

Virginia

3.95/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

After all the trouble and expense I went through to get my hands on one of the bricks sold on 121212 I have to wonder if the rating on this beer isn't inflated because people think its got to be better than it really is.

Its a good beer, but not super amazing. I am going to set a couple back and try them again in one year intervals to see if they improve, but at this point, given the price I wouldnt buy this beer again. I'm tempted to sell a couple to recoup my cost.

S- dried fruits a bit of alcohol. Same for tne flavor.
M- a bit thin and more carbonation than expected .

O- decent. I am glad I was able to get my hands on a sixer, but there are several better beers out there IMHO.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 05:18:37 | More by Hex92

DocJitsu

California

4.55/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very murky horehound brown color with a thick, foamy caramel colored head. Dates, brown sugar, caramel, notes of maple, and very light bourbon without the alcohol on the nose. The moutfheel is medium- to full-bodied and lightly oily. A bit of carbonation on the rear of the tongue. Nutty up front, caramel apple appears shortly after. Alcohol warmth shows up late and lingers in the throat. Some alcohol bitterness appears as well. So much balance from start to finish in all aspects of the beer. The only drawback is the cutoff at the finish by the alcohol bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 02:03:42 | More by DocJitsu

tdm168

North Carolina

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

Thanks to jtd1969 for somehow finding this gem.

A - dark brown with a slight amber hue; huge, soft, thick, foamy, brownish head that has tremendous retention

S - alcohol, baked apples, sweet, sugary

T - baked apples, caramel, sugar, warming alcohol, raisins, figs, a bitter finish

M - warm, full bodied, crisp, well carbonated

I have to say that this did not live up to the hype for me. I think had this been fresh it would have been exceptional. As it stands it is a good beer, but certainly not perfect. The flavors did not all come together for me. They all seemed to be disjoint. The baked apples are the dominant flavor followed by caramel and sugar. The dark fruits come in the finish. Don't get me wrong. This is a tremendous beer and it is definitely worth trying if you can find it, but ultimately there are equally good Quads available that are much easier to find.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 23:50:09 | More by tdm168

Tucquan

Pennsylvania

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

Had this on 2012-12-23 in Lititz, PA from the special brick released on 2012-12-12.

A - Ruby-brown with a 1-finger tan head and sticky lacing.

S - Glazed biscuit, dark cherry, semi-sweet cocoa, mild spice. Not real strong.

T - Somewhat tart cherry, sweet raisin, plum, earthy spice, good amount of roasted malt, light toffee, citrus. Quite dry. Finishes more bitter than I expected.

M - Medium body and quite a bit of carbonation. Smooth, syrupy,

O - A fine beer. We had this at our Christmas party and everyone enjoyed it; some more than others of course. After tastings of the (arguably) top four Belgian Quads, I would rate them in this order for my personal taste preference:

1 = Pannepot
2 = Westvleteren XII
3 = Rochefort 10
4 = St. Bernardus Abt 12.

Of interest, my wife would rate them in this order:

1 = St. Bernardus Abt 12
2 = Pannepot
3 = Westvleteren XII
4 = Rochefort 10

Quads aren't my favorite style, but I/we enjoyed everything about this beer and the others mentioned above. It was worth the drive to Maryland and the long wait in line to score, share and taste this well-regarded brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 22:33:12 | More by Tucquan

nova009

Kentucky

4.48/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bottle into a Westy 12 chalice

A- pours a dark brown with a good amount of reddish tint, a nice slightly off-white one finger head appears and slowly dissipates to a nice covering, fairly good amount of lace sticks to the glass

S- molasses, burnt sugar, dark fruits like figs and raisins, sweet candi sugar, slightly fruitiness from the belgian yeast, smells incredible

T- Burnt sugar, raisins, cherries, lightly bitter hop aftertaste which is surprising, dark malt, sugary sweetness is mixed in, fruity belgian yeast notes, a little bit of nutmeg, alcohol is fairly present

M- heavy body but not overly thick, high carbonation, slick over the palate

O- this is a very good quad, however I definitely think it could benefit from some aging which is why I'm glad I split my gift pack with a buddy and have two more bottles, I'd like to see the alcohol subside slightly, other than that a solid beer even if it is a little over-hyped in my opinion

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 01:35:34 | More by nova009

Noxious26

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

330ml brown bottle with pry-off cap. I like the ridge around the next that spells Westvleteren. Poured in it's own branded goblet. From one of the gift packs brought to North America this year. Purchased at Sherbrooke Liquor in Edmonton. Special thanks to my buddy Scott for the hook up!

Reddish-brown in colour and hazy. Beige head is 1/8 inch on the pour but recedes to a few islands and a ring around the outside. Spots of lace here and there.

Aroma is sweet, boozy and vinuous. Reminds me a little of wine or port. Dried fruit. Almost like a fruit cake.

Reminiscent of drinking champagne. Lots of tiny pin prick bubbles. Strong boozy kick in the pants right off the start. Hints of dried fruit, fruit cake. Fruit cake mixed with champagne.

Quite unlike anything I've had before. As much as the alcohol is very prevalent, it's not at all overpowering nor does it have that alcohol burn. Complex, subtle, sweet, tart, bubbly, boozy, smooth. The one thing that amazes me, is the mouthfeel. If I didn't know it was a beer, I'd swear it was a sparkling wine. I can't say it's the best beer I've ever had, or my favourite, but it's probably the most unique and pleasurable in it's own way. Not something I'd want to drink every day, but a rare treat.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 02:59:05 | More by Noxious26

Amalak

New York

4.83/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A. It has a very dark brown color, hazy with some bubbles coming up the side of the glass. It has an average foamy tan head with some lacing.

S. That is a beautiful smell. Dry fruit and sugar. Alcohol.

T. Holy shit, that is a magnificent beer. There's a nice hoppy bitterness underneath, a raisin and dark fruit taste. A bit of a brown sugar taste. Malty. So complex and flavorful.

M. Carbonated and tingly on the tongue. Medium bodied.

O. I don't think that I'm allowing the hype to sway me: This is just spectacular.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 20:32:41 | More by Amalak

TCgoalie

Michigan

4.63/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reddish-brown hue with some yeasty modules. White head and lacing along the sides.

Aromas of brown sugar, cherries, basement, bread. Tart cherry really comes through.

A lot going on with the taste. Bread and brown sugar heavy up front which transitions to toffee and dark fruits. Spicy, bitter, and dry in the back end with some nice warming. Not overly hot and silky smooth.

The feel is extremely soft with some drying in the end. It's like diving into a pool of cool whip, being pulled out by angels, and the dried with a sherpa cloth.

What a wonderful treat brought back from Belgium by my sister and bro-in-law. Merry Christmas! Thoroughly enjoyed!

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 18:26:17 | More by TCgoalie

barnzy78

Illinois

4.88/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

11.2oz bottle dated 01.08.15. Kudos to my friend Ken for grabbing us a 6 pack to share. I also purchased a St. Bernardus Abt 12 and a Rochefort 10 for comparison purposes. From my notes, this one prevails as the best of the three:

Pours dark brown with a pillowy, beige head that fades to a foam atop the ale. Aromas are pleasant and come through more as the ale warms: musty, boozy, earthy, sweet, caramel, honey, fruity as it warms w plum & cherry. Tastes are boozy, rich, sweet, malty, fruity with plum, raisin, currant, rum, bready yeast, mossy, musty, earthy - great complexity! Mouth-feel is full bodied with lots of carbonation, very smooth. Overall, it lives up to its expectations. I had my doubts, but it came through...maybe even better than expected.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 22:48:40 | More by barnzy78

mechamifune

North Carolina

4.43/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice mahogany brown with a fluffy off white head. Very obviously well carbonated. Looks thinner than I thought it would as it pours out of the bottle. Nice looking beer.

Smell is a little bit of alcohol up front, followed by some sweetness and dark fruit. No real hop presence. Smell is pleasant but not an overwhelming or out of the ordinary smell for the style.

Taste is dark fruit up front, followed by brown sugar and then a slight lingering tartness. Not much of any ligering aftertaste, no real bitterness. Drinks a little hot as it warms up. A very pleasant flavor profile with no one note really overpowering.

Mouthfeel is probably the best i've had in this style. Full carbonation but not foamy. Very smooth and easy to drink despite the large flavor profile. Still a sipper for sure, but it never becomes harsh.

Hard to grade this beer impartially given all the anticipation and the amount of time it spent at the top of the top beers list. For the style, this is marginally the best example i've had. For me, though, it doesn't transcend the style or make me think of quads any differently than I did beforehand. It is worth seeking out if you can get it and are a fan of the style in general. For the price point though, i'd rather buy rochefort going forward, even if I prefer this by a slight margin.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 20:05:37 | More by mechamifune

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.63/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Review No. 600

11.2 oz bottle poured into a Hair of the Dog tulip, cap dated 26.09.15 - this is an unmarked bottle and not the recent US release. This bottle sent to me by Curtis McArthur (thanks man!) and reviewed from notes.

A: Careful pour yields a ton of off-yellow head that has good substance and sticks around forever; it looks like a root beer float head. Body is darker opaque brown/prune colored with gold highlights at the stem of the glass. Carbonation is still rising ten minutes after the initial pour, streaming up the side of the glass. I'm intrigued - this thing is beautiful.

S: Instant fruitiness, darker in essence; grapes upfront with some suggestions of apples, prunes, plums, and raisins. Maltiness is apparent, and sweeter Belgian candy sugar rises, with hints of caramel as well. Brilliant smell.

T: Follows the nose, with a more subdued sweetness. A touch of a chalky yeast character distracts slightly. Moderate fruitiness again with the slightest sensation of holiday and baking spices; apples and raisin bread, faint caramel drizzle. Dessert, and bready malt; on the sweeter side. Carbonation cleans the palate and the flavors meld harmoniously. Very nice.

MF: Thinner medium body with a dancing carbonation presence that isn't distracting. Just a touch of an alcohol bitterness.

O: Fabulously done Quad. Right up there with Abt. 12, though I believe Abt 12 tasted better to my palate, with more caramel-apple dessert notes. Overall I can see why this is such a sought after beer. This also seems to be an excellent age for this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 15:03:15 | More by Scotchboy

Docrock

Illinois

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

Poured from bottle with date 9-2-14 into Westvletern Chalice at 50*

A - a rich deep dark red brown with a perfect 1-1/2" head that slowly dissipates to a nice thin cap. slight to average lacing.

S -sweet smelling maltiness with omnipresent fruit consisting of fig, dates, and raisins. the Belgian yeast aromas are just what i was expecting.

T -wow, just wow. perfect balance between the sweetness of a Quad but with a dry and slightly bitter aftertaste. the fruits, especially the fig and raisin aromas are released the warmer the beer gets. As the beer warms up to 55* it gives a warm glow on the finish, just amazing.

M - the carbonation is perfect for the full body. extremely drinkable. A slight warming as it goes down, but expected for the alcohol content.

O - this beer definitely lives up to the hype. Have now tried all the Trappist top ABV brews and this is by far head and shoulders above. The balance is perfect and the expected Belgian Quad characteristics are in perfect harmony. Everybody's tastes are different, but for me, this is a Benchmark brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2012 06:42:05 | More by Docrock