St. Bernardus Abt 12 Special Edition

Formerly brewed at St. Bernard Brouwerij
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Watou, Belgium

Sampled March 2007
Very well carbonated, pours with an easily four-finger thick, tan colored head that sits atop a burnt amber to dark red colored head. The head forms a rocky surface with lots of sparse lacing on the sides of the glass as it slowly recedes. The aroma is driven by rich caramelized malt notes that mix well with fermentation character; together they lean towards notes of raisins, plum, fresh cut ripe apples, star fruit and even some banana esters that become quite pronounced at times. Spice aromatics are also noticeably with hints of ginger, clove and perhaps a touch of black pepper. I really like the mix of fruit and spice that is found in the nose here. The aroma is quite rich and decadent, in a dessert kind of way. Definitely a beer that I can sit and smell for quite some time, without needing to even taking a sip.

Ultimately though the flavor is where the heart of a beer is. The first sip is a bit drier than the aroma would suggest, but it is still rich and malty with notes reminiscent of caramel coated fruit (though said caramel would have to be made from sweet concentrated fruit). Soft and creamy at times, this beer drinks pretty easily, despite a certain richness. Notes of lightly tart apple, rich plums, raisins and perhaps even a touch of lemon-like notes are the most noticeable fruit flavors. Lots of spicy notes are here as well; touches of vanilla (or is that the creamy mouth feel), clove, ginger, pepper, perhaps a touch of nutmeg, and some dusty grains of paradise notes.

The flavor & texture mix in this beer at times reminds me of some creamy, caramel topped banana dessert. This is a really nice beer, rich, flavorful, with lots of interesting flavors. The texture of this beer is quite compelling; it is rich and creamy, contemplative, yet still not heavy. As the beer warms a touch of warming alcohol becomes noticeable; it combines with the fruit and malt to be reminiscent of rum / brandy.

Purchased: <a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/Places/ShowPlace.asp? Liquors, Tucson, AZ

Given a free sample from a friend who bought this $28 bottle at Churchill’s! i have a bottle I’m aging at home, but haven’t tried so I was eagerly waiting to try it. Heavenly aroma of pears, fruit esthers. Creamy perfect medium head with great lacing.

(Bottle 75 cl) Slightly hazy dark amber golden with a dense and creamy, off-white head leaving laces. Soft and very fruity aroma. Fairly full-bodied with very complex fruit notes of banana and tropical fruit - litchi perhaps? Has a weak whiff of yeast. Sweetish finish without any real bitterness - but it doesn’t come out sticky in any way. Very complex and pleasant. 030407

750ml bottle. Upon first pour, this was really hot and boozy and tough to drink, but it really opened up and became a wonderful beer after 15 or so minutes of breathing. Pour is fabulous, dark clear brown with an everlasting head that laces every inch of my Chimay goblet. Aroma is very yeasty, bready, light raspberry, not very assertive and the least impressive part of this beer. Big bread, plu, rye in the taste, very smooth and creamy, light euro hops and a touch of spices. Very well balanced. A top notch beer that would probably age very nicely. Unfortunately at $13/750 I won’t be buying any to test that hypothesis.

Expensive as sin bottle. Pours a clear dark mahogany with deep ruby highlights and a nice, dense, thick dark tan head. Excellent lacing coating with thick subsidew. Aroma has sweet barley biscuit, caramel malt and complex Belgian yeast. Taste starts with toffee sweetness, mild raisin and brown sugar. Even some milk chocolate. Good finish with fruit aftertaste.

Bottled. A very hazy dark amber beer with a light brown head. The aroma is very powerful of fruit - especially over ripe fruits, as well as notes of berries. The flavor is sweet with strong notes of over ripe fruit and alcohol.

Pours brown with a tan head. Smells of dark fruit, spices, caramel, chocolate, earthy hops. Tastes of sweet malt with some licorice and lots of herbs and spices. Finish is malty with some underlying vanilla.

Lightly hazed rusty amber, thick tan creamy head with great lacing. Nose was rich of ripe plum, warm golden raisin bread, fig, and pear, with softer notes of anise, brown sugar, and pepper. Earthy dark fruit flavors are prevalent throughout, but are well balanced with a near perfect peppery hop component. Full bodied, medium carbonation, clean, bittersweet finish. Simply outstanding....