Trappist Westvleteren 8 (VIII) - Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)

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100
world-class
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1,175 Ratings

THE BROS
94
exceptional
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rAvg: 4.52
pDev: 8.19%
Reviews: 729
Hads: 446

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Brewed by:
Brouwerij Westvleteren (Sint-Sixtusabdij van Westvleteren)

Belgium

Style | ABV
Dubbel | 8.00% ABV

Availability: Year-round. bottle (728).

Notes:
(Blue Cap)

View: Beers (3) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by kirkpjr:

kirkpjr

Alabama

4.63/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle cap stamped 13.08.12.

Poured into my new Westvleteren chalice.

A: Pours a murky brown with plenty of carbonation and floaters. 1 full finger of frothy head fills the glass to the rim. Color turns a very subtle burnt orange when held to the light. A thin ring of head remains, but very little lacing on the glass.

S: Rich, dark fruits: cherries and figs. Highlighted by some cinnamon spice. Port like and brandy scents bring out a little heat in the nose. This one is incredible on the nose - with both sweet and subtle tart characteristics.

T: A perfect crisp and dry display of the smell. Dark fruits, green apple, caramel, and cinnamon. Some wine characteristics break through as the beer warms.

M: Light and crisp in the feel - which leaves me anticipating the 12 I have ever more. Elevated level of carbonation adds to this feel.

D: The feel of this one makes it highly drinkable. A little warm towards the end of the beer limits it slightly. Smell was fantastic, with the taste only leaving me wanting slightly more - but I guess that would be a style preference.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2011 23:56:18 | More by kirkpjr

More User Reviews:

Dave_Treat

Virginia

4/5 rDev -11.5%

05-23-2013 02:31:14 | More by Dave_Treat

zonker17

Illinois

5/5 rDev +10.6%

05-22-2013 03:42:49 | More by zonker17

PlinyBeMiney

California

4.25/5 rDev -6%

05-21-2013 06:48:59 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4/5 rDev -11.5%

05-21-2013 04:11:10 | More by CosmoHopHead

DoubleJ

California

4.78/5 rDev +5.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Anticipation grows as I work up the Westvleteren latter at Cafe In de Vrede. Already served from the bottle into glass as it arrived at my table. On to the beer;

The 8 is ruby brown colored with an inch of rocky head. The head retention is acceptable and it leaves some creamy lace around. The aroma is not only complex, but downright appetizing! Hello? Figs. How are you? Raisins. Quite well. Prunes. Thank you very much. Chocolate and pudding and yeast.

Don't stop there. Get that palate ready for a party. The figs make their mark right away. Raisins don't trail far behind. A kiss of grass breaks the trend of sweet notes, but make no mistake, this is not sweet as in sugar sweet. A kiss of pepper adds a kick. Chocolate pudding adds a heavenly final blow to this outstanding dubbel. The beer is full bodied with a "peppery" carbonation, and it remarkably drinkable for a dubbel.

I've had dubbels which I've enjoyed a lot. Westvleteren just topped that list with its own. With its combination of great taste and drinkability, this was my favorite of the Westvleteren family.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 23:35:47 | More by DoubleJ