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

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.95/5  rDev +9.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: An unlabelled brown 33cl bottle, that wangled its way Westward directly from the St.Sixtus Abdij. Without a label, all of the important information is contained on a black crown cap with a silver center that has a computer inked 15-04-06, seems like I’m early for the party again. Dark blue lettering states “Trappist Westvleteren 8, Bier Cat.S, Alc. 8% Vol.”. Classically understated.

Appearance: Dark brown, lots of streamers fill the glass at first, they continue throughout the drink. Beige head looks fucking impressive, rocky at first, it settles slowly to an even smooth silky mass that leaves an intricate looking lace. An impeccable appearance that is very hard to fault. Superb conditioning.

Nose: Incredible that such a fantastic rainbow of odors can come from just one glass. Molasses and brown sugars are immediately detected. Malts are there on closer inspection. Dark fruits, raisins, dates, rum and figs are all there when you concentrate harder. Chocolate, toffee and other dark fruits may well be in my imagination – or is it just the fact that I am awe struck.

Taste: I am never ever failed to be anything but totally impressed by this beer. I always take the 12 when offered the choice. Sadly this means I constantly forget just how damn good this bloody beer is. The beer delivers all of the flavors the nose offers up for purchase, but the way they are skillfully blended must be every brewers dream to achieve or replicate.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, silky, rich and sinful. Other beers are mere 2-stroke engines when compared to this beautifully engineered, smooth powerful V12 engine. Put the foot down on this one and you will not be disappointed by its road handling.

Drinkability: Quite simply, Exceptional.

Overall: On its day, or maybe with some aging, this is equally as impressive as the Westie 12. I just wish the experience would last forever. This beer certainly lives up to the hype. DO NOT let this one pass if you see it, and whatever you pay for it – it is well worth the money.

Without a shadow of a doubt, one of the Very Best Beers available in the World today.

Serving type: bottle

10-28-2003 07:57:35 | More by TheLongBeachBum

jackndan

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Westvleteren Abt 8 Blue Cap: “Trappenstenbier.” Pours a deep black color, wonderful thick rocky tannish head. Even held up to a bright light, you cannot see through this beer. I’ve held off, at least initially, in pouring the yeast on the bottom.

As noted, the head is thick and rocky, with tremendous staying power. Leaves a thick lacing down the side of the glass.

Remarkably understated aroma, light malts and dried fruits and raisons, again very muted.

The taste is remarkable. Nice almost smoky taste starts us off, flowing directly into an extremely complex burst of fruit flavors, red wine, prunes and plums. The aftertaste is subtle and clean, with a bit of nuttiness. Nice alcohol warmth.

Very smooth and exceptionally easy to drink. Well worth what I paid.

Serving type: bottle

10-20-2003 02:49:31 | More by jackndan

taez555

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer poured a big white/tan head with a dark brown body.

The nose was simply amazing. Phenols, grapes, dark malts, dark plums, raisins, mild chocolate, caramel. Very port like.

The taste was also just as impressive. Medium bodied with a very fine carbonation. Sweet with lots of dark roasted malt flavors. Dates, raisins, chocolate, caramel, toffee, and dark bitter cherries as it warms. Definitely a slight citrus flavor like lime peel or grapefruit juice. A smooth woody flavor as well. Oak, faint tobacco or smoke, almost like the inside of a charred barrel. It had a very faint earth hop flavor, but mostly a soft bitterness and light alcohol warmth.

This beer took its time to fade and ended with a long bitter and raison finish.

Basically this is an amazing beer. Beautiful combination of all the dark malts and bitter fruit flavors. All in perfect balance and harmony. I actually like this better than the abt 12. Almost worth the $8 a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2003 09:25:16 | More by taez555

RoyalT

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance – Gorgeous, deep brown color with a gigantic whitish tan head that laced every square exposed inch of the inside glass.

Smell – Strong aroma of molasses and fine brown sugar. Some malt as well, and a few other things that I couldn't pinpoint. The smell says it’s serious.

Taste – This is a hearty brew. The initial taste is almost like a good single malt scotch. It is so sweet, but a sophisticated sweet. I don’t know what it is, almost like a good rye or barley flavor. The malt is there, too, along with a presence of alcohol and even a bitter, slightly burnt, dark flavor. This beer has it all, and it's all well executed.

The finish just keeps going. It’s almost like syrup – it lingers in your mouth forever. I can’t say enough about the flavor of this beer. I’m a big fan of the (properly done) darker European ales (weitzens, abbeys, etc) and this one just blows me away.

Mouthfeel – I thought the beer was undercarbonated ever so slightly (for my taste), but typical of the style. The smoothness though was beyond reproach.

Drinkability – This is its strong suit. The 5.0 that I’m giving it here under represents my enjoyment in drinking this bottle.

Comments – I had never heard of this beer until I went into a store and, for no real reason, tossed it in my cart. When I logged on I realized that I may have grabbed a diamond in the sand, and I was right.

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2003 01:06:45 | More by RoyalT

jcalabre

California

4.2/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Originally sampled sometime in the last year or two. I am writing this review from my notes.
Oh, those mad monks...
This pours Dark brown w/ a huge head. This beer is very Malty w/ flavors of raisin & warmth. It finishes very sweetly. You can't go wrong with any of the Westy beers

Serving type: bottle

07-26-2003 15:06:34 | More by jcalabre

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Body is a perfect ruddy brown, eggplantish, edging on violet, lovely, rich and full color, and the head is large, slowly to simmer down, off-whitish.

Aroma : good Lord, it's perfect, rich and raisiny, strong, spicy, very lively, ...what are they mixing in those monasteries? It's a magical bouquet, is what I say!Oh,to sniff it anew is another pleasure, and now, I can't hold back, it's time to drink the damned thing!

OHMYGOD!!!
I've raved about the works of the brothers of St. Sixtus before, but GOOD GOD JESUS!!! This is mystifying, uplifting, magical, amazing! Can I be more specific? No...Energizing is the best adjective, the beer is so lively it makes everything it comes in contact with livelier!

This apparently belongs to the style "Belgian Abbey Dubbel", but on consuming 1/2 of one small bottle, I know now that this beer puts all the others to shame! There is fruit, and dazzling hops, and malt, and tantalizing texture, but the thing that sets this apart, if there is such a thing, is unknowable.
I had a Belgian Abbey Dubbel tonight from a very reputable source, and it was nice, but not magical.
This ..this ...it transports ones senses to new realms, higher planes of appreciation! If I'm getting lofty, forgive me, please, but know that every word is true..I don't know how they do what they do, but they do! This is the ultimate!
I'm joining the cloister, too, if means getting close to beer this fine and lovely!
Here's to all the monks, toiling for our sins, and crafting this exceptional, gorgeous, transcendental work!

Serving type: bottle

06-30-2003 01:04:50 | More by feloniousmonk

Jon

Illinois

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

Similar to its big brother, Westvleteren 12, Number 8 pours a cloudy mahogany huge with a monster head that subsides after a minute or so in the chalice glass. Smell is diverse with notes of heavy malt, yeast, apricots, and mild alcohol. This is a very tasty beer -- notes of raisins, sweet malt, very subdued hops, yeast, and alcohol are all there. Mouthfeel is superbly smooth and while easy to drink, it's a bit too rich to deserve a perfect score. This is a masterful brew, and I actually prefer it to its big brother, Number 12.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2003 12:47:04 | More by Jon

BeerAngel

Texas

4.38/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a clear amber/brown with a ton of carbonation and a massive light tan head. Out of this large head bellows the aromas of fruit, spices, and yeast that make the mouth water. The nice blend of flavors is a repeat of the smell but with more complexity. There is a wave of flavors consisting of lightly sweetened fruit, faint yeast and an array of spices and a calmly warming alcohol. This is a light to medium bodied brew and drinks down way too easy! Op uw gezonheid!

Serving type: bottle

05-22-2003 20:29:38 | More by BeerAngel

clvand0

Kentucky

4.88/5  rDev +8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours the cloudy brown that I've become accustomed to with excellent Belgian beers. This one has quite a bit more head than the Rocheforts and the Westy 12. The aroma is great - smells of fruits with an undertone of alcohol. The taste is wonderfully smooth - must like the Westy12, but the taste reminds me a lot of the Rochefort 8. This is one of the best beers I've had along with the others mentioned above. If you've not had this, it's worth the high price. It leaves a great fruity taste on the palate after drinking. I could drink this beer all night if it weren't so expensive.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2003 18:34:01 | More by clvand0

Boto

Connecticut

4.9/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This was my first Westy. It was absolutely superb! I love the caramel and fruit tastes and aroma. This may be the priciest beer that I have bought, but it is an exceptional treat. It even caused me to fork over $180.00 for a mixed full case to be shipped from Belgium of the 12, 8 and blonde. Truly nirvana!

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2003 12:05:21 | More by Boto

MJR

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My first Westvleteren brew...I've been looking forward to this!

Appearance: Into my Westy chalice, it pours a beautiful reddish-brown, mahogany color with a touch of haze. The head starts around an inch thick and sticks like a champ. Fantastic lacing on the glass.

Smell: Damn...what an aroma! As complex and fruity as anything I've ever encountered, this brew has toffee, grape, fig, raison, and plum simply jumping out of the glass. There's also a light spicy note in there, as well as a bit of a phenolic character. Adding the portion at the bottom of the bottle imparts a bready character from the yeast.

Taste: Amazing rich and smooth with tons of fruitiness. All of the characteristics of the aroma are here: toffee, fig, raison, plum, and grape. Very sweet, with a nice kick of spiciness towards the end. I taste a phenolic flavor, but it's in the background. There's a touch of bready and yeasty flavors towards the end of the bottle, from the slight sediment. Finishes creamy and warming with an alcohol note. Great integration of flavors, as the balance between them is incredible.

Mouthfeel: Medium in thickness, with a smooth mouthfeel. Very creamy and round on the palate. There's a touch of alcohol dryness on the swallow.

Drinkability: Damn good, if you can find it! This brew isn't available in my area, so this is quite the treat. I could drink a few of these over the course of a night, sipping slowly and enjoying every drop. I actually prefer this over the more well-known and stunning Abt 12.

A huge 'thank you' goes out to StevieW for including this heavenly brew in our trade.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2003 13:03:39 | More by MJR

beerluvr

New Jersey

3.38/5  rDev -25.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a light cream-colored head over dark hazy brown liquid with some particulate matter floating about. Nose is of raisins, a little port wine, dark fruit. Taste is quickly sweet with some phenolic character present. Then a bit of fruitiness followed by hop bitterness and an alcoholic note. Finishes more sweet than bitter. Nice, but not worth the $6 I paid for it.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2003 22:21:35 | More by beerluvr

Brent

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Beautiful brownish-bronze color. Moderate head with vigorous carbonation bubbles streaming up. Aroma hits you from a foot away - dark and sweet. Without a doubt the cleanest and most crisp Belgian I've come across. The malty goodness races across your tongue so fast that you want to grab it and hold on to savor. Slightly tart at the front and amazingly dry. Glides away at the finish with just enough bitterness. Drinkability factor is off the scale.

Serving type: bottle

03-19-2003 08:12:14 | More by Brent

IrishRedRock

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The difference between this and the 12 is quite easy to see after just the first sip. This is a great brew, but the 12 is head and shoulders above it.

The brew looks absolutely beautiful in my goblet. A deep, dark amber color with a tight head that retains very well. Yeasty, spicy nose with some dark fruits and light chocolate. Smells very similar to the 12, but with less alcohol in the nose.

I know I keep comparing this to the 12...but I have to. This seems to have more of a warming alcohol presence, despite the significantly lower ABV. The alcohol is prevalent at the end of each sip, however, I was a bit disappointed in the complexity. I want more. Compared to other brews though, this is a hell of a brew. A mild hoppiness blends well with the fruity and spicy flavors. When cold though, there is little flavor to this brew. Definitely must let it warm to truly appreciate it. 8 is great...but its no 12!

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2003 19:15:58 | More by IrishRedRock

HopheadEd

Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I had this beer a week ago and knew this had to be my 100th. This is without a doubt the best Dubbel I have had. A dark brown, almost reddish color with an unbelievable head that needs to settle before tasting; not an easy feat. Sticky lace on the glass just adds to the experience. Dark fruits, plums, raisins, black cherries, dominate the aromas. The same smells are dominate in the taste, as well as some bready yeast, which adds to the mystique. Unbelievably smooth carbonation, high yet drinkable. Creamy, silky mouthfeel, easy going down, very, very drinkable. I mentioned this as a quest, now the 12 is on my short list. Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2003 17:52:23 | More by HopheadEd

ElGuapo

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer pours to a very dark brown like charred wood. It is topped by a massive off-white foam that wants to stay for a long time without paying rent, and leave a lot behind after it dies to a lace. When you pour the whole bottom of the bottle, there is a dark blob of sediment in the middle of the head that is kind of scary looking, but the flavor was not affected in a negative way by the addition of the full contents of the bottle.

The sweet cherries and raspberries get to you first. Other aromas that come are wheat bread, coffee, and a little bit of chocolate. Yeast is also present, especially after you pour the entire bottle into the glass. I chose a goblet for this one, and I found it to be to be a good choice because I was able to pick up a lot of the aroma with a bit of swirling.

The sweetness in the aroma is not nearly as strong as it is in the aroma. Most of the flavor is dominated by roasty flavors of toast and coffee. The alcohol is present, but it is not overpowering at all.

The body is very rich. It is very crisp, and it has a bite that stays with you right till the end.

This is another great Westy. A complex brew that would appeal to anyone.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2003 17:21:12 | More by ElGuapo

Jason

Massachusetts

4.55/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

33cl brown bottle with no freshness date to be found, thin layer of sediment on the bottom of the bottle gets stirred up a bit from the initial push of carbonation.

Appearance: Tons of tiny bubbles burning a path through the dark and tawny brew, some of the sediment made its way into the glass as it was lifted by the carbonation in the bottle. Those bubbles hold a very solid cream coloured lace together.

Smell: Sweet tart granny smith apple, soft herbal phenols and bready malt with a yeast backing make up the aroma.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Stiff crispness holds its own up against the creamy and thickly layered medium body. Big expressive bitterness from some hops but more of a tangled yeast, herbal phenol and spiced bitter flavour. Fruitiness gets juicy in the middle with some tag along alcoholic esters. Good foundation of malt that leaves nothing untouched as it unravels flavours of whole grain bread, faint molasses, toasted grains and a light dry husk in the end.

Drinkability & Notes: A big thumbs up from me, more than just a noteworthy brew. Beer like this makes the big picture of good beer that much more clear. An addictive sipping style brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2003 18:30:39 | More by Jason

francisweizen

Australia

4.85/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

IMHO this beer is a little bit better than its big brother, Westie 12! Although it seems that many people disagree with me, well maybe Todd agrees with me on this one. This beer poured a dark red, amber-ish brown colour with a nice fluffy head which stayed around for quite awhile. This smelled wonderful...Bready, Biscuity, Malty, and Chewy...a near-perfect combination of complex flavours and flavor notes! This tasted just as good as it's nose indicated it would taste. This beer had many wonderful complex flavors which were all combined and tightly and neatly wrapped up into one great package! This beer had a very velvetty mouthfeel but it was not as nice as the mouthfeel on the Westie 12. The drinkability for this beer is quite good, but it is a trappist ale, so if you drink more than a few of these you will be thrown for quite a loop. A great beer which you should purchase if and when you see it. One of the best trappist beers made, if not the best IMO.
cheers!,
F.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2003 11:32:27 | More by francisweizen

kunzbrew

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This brew pours a rich amber color with a creamy fluffy head that last for a while leaving a sexy lace behind. The smell of hops and malt are very strong to the nose. Earthy fruity esters are also present to the nose. The first sip bring great joy to the palate, and malty yet strong hop flavor is nice along with a citrus tart. This is a great brew and I will soon have the #12 to see what all the hype is about.

Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2003 19:08:08 | More by kunzbrew

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Hard to describe the taste. Very unlike any other Belgian beers I have tried. Somewhat malty, dark and fruity, but without the liveliness and spice of some other Belgian beers. Some lace, head disappeared rather quickly. I found this to be very interesting initially, but it just seemed somewhat "off" to me. I would love to try the 12, and will when I find it. Re-review - (Forgive me, I knew not what I was saying. I finally had this again, and it was sublime. Deep, dark, fruity, I wish I had two! Right up there with the Westmalle as the best dubbel I've had. I can't wait to compare them head to head). P.S.S.! I did a head to head with Westmalle and Loterbol. This blew them away. Fantastic! As good as any beer in the world.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2003 00:00:07 | More by JohnnyDuvel

Bierman9

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Very dark brown bier, with no transluscence at all. There were a few bits of particulate hovering around in the dark as well. The head was initially a big, tan, frothy sucker! After a short span of time it shrank down to a fine, thin layer, with acceptable sheets of lacing. Nose was quite rich and enticing, with plenty of dark fruit aromas emanating from the glass! West-V 8 has a medium body, and a slight effervescence on the tongue. Flavor is comprised of dark fruit flavors, some mild yeastiness and a slight hint of chocolate lying underneath the aforementioned flavors. Finish is slightly dry, with a fairly long-lasting, and pleasant, aftertaste. Nice bier. I can feel the warmth in my belly, as well! Prosit!!

overall: 4.35
appearance: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4.5

449

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2002 11:48:02 | More by Bierman9

maxpower

Missouri

5/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy reddish-brown color, huge thick foamy head. Sweet sugary candy aroma, flavors of caremel toffee and butter, perfect thick and creamy mouthfeel, smooth and silky, It don't get any better than this, well maybe the 12.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2002 16:08:52 | More by maxpower

marc77

California

4.75/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazy dark ruby in hue, topped by an off white, creamy, stiff head with typically excellent retention. A fragrant waft of floral, perfume like, rosy sweetness upfront in aroma, followed by a richer melange of dry, powered cocoa, and, raisin like dark caramel Special B. Yeast derived fruitiness aromawise is mild, but is perceptibly acidic, tropical, and slightly citric in nature. Flavorwise, the initial honey like sweetness fades slightly, then allows a complex melange of biscuity malt, oak and rich carob to envelope the palate. Pleasantly minerally, slightly salty notes and dry, spicy black pepper lend a pseudo savory mid palate impression. Mellow phenol complements malt sweetness well, lending a clove laced molasses undertone. Moderate in body, with an agreeably smooth and deceivingly light mouthfeel. Finishes w/ notes of black licorice and brown sugar lingering. 8 is a delicious beer, with tremendous depth in character all around. It's not as assertive in outright yeast derived flavor contributions compared to other Dubbels, yet the malt profile is tremendously complex and refined. It's worth the price... a true treat.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2002 19:34:28 | More by marc77

mophie

Delaware

4.68/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Wow. God is in the details (and I am not a religious man), but something divine is going on in this beer. Deep brown with hints of copper coming through, and a huge, rocky tan head. The first smell is unmistakably Belgian yeast, with dark fruits, some chocolate, fresh baked cinnamon-raisin bread. Flavors of dates, grapes, pepper, again fresh baked cinnamon-raisin bread. Sweet and spicy. Spice lingers on the tongue for quite some time, reminding you of the divine craftsmanship of these monks. Heavenly.

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2002 20:08:43 | More by mophie

Gusler

Arizona

4.55/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a nebulous deep black cherry color, ponderous somewhat frothy beige head, and thick lace to cling mightily to the glass, also a "Bazillion tiny bubbles, sliding their little butts up the glass". Not many beers have a better nose, malt, banana, slight yeasty or bread dough if you prefer, over ripe fruit, just makes your mouth water smelling this wonderful beer. Sweet start, light to the top, finish is merciful in its acidity, potently hopped, droughty long lasting aftertaste. A fine cousin to the "12, 10" and well worth the try!

Serving type: bottle

11-20-2002 07:53:23 | More by Gusler