 boboski (1095), USA
Aug 14, 2007
Tasted side-by-side with the standard Abt 12., this one was the clear favorite. The pour is cloudy, dark brown and amber/mahogany at the perimeter. A very tall, fluffy, cream-colored head has remarkable, albeit typical for the brewer, retention and fantastic webs of lace. Full retention, very pretty. The aroma is doughy biscuit malt, chocolate, caramel, herbal and grassy hops, banana, plum, caramelized brown sugar, sweet alcohol notes, flowers, lemon peel, orange peel, raisins, figs and apricot juice. Absolutely loaded with complexity, layer upon layer, magnificent. The yeast component is more subdued than the standard version, even in a fresh bottle versus a year old bottle of the regular Abt 12. The flavor is, for me, quintessential Belgian elegance and excitement, slowly unraveling across the tongue. Malt and hops are both easily discernible and fresh, glorious quantities of both. The taste is mildly to medium sweet, lightly bitter, very lightly bitter with very mild astringency mostly doused out by the sweetness. Fruits are everywhere and mingle pleasantly with the hops. Chocolate that was a mere fleeting nuance in the nose is full bore in the flavor undecided upon whether it wants to sting with bittersweet biting or coat with silky sweet candy textures. Alcohol warmth is substantial but not even half of what it could be, nicely incorporated into the entire flavor. The mouthfeel is monstrous but remains quenching and silky, even when the hops and alcohol are at their most firm and drying moments. Carbonation is high, further lending to a explosive experience and dispersing the flavor evenly across the palate. The finish is at first chocolatey and hoppy, then settles to a warming, fruity, moderately dry fade that lasts nearly an eternity. Caramel and brown sugar, as well as spice and a touch of yeast, linger. This is my favorite quadrupel that isn’t produced at a Trappist brewery. The first sip I ever took of this beer was more exciting than Westvleteren 12, though that excitement was fleeting and probably can be chalked up to quite the unique interpretation of this style. A marvelous breweries’ best work yet.
cheeta (636), Langå, Denmark
Dec 3, 2008 Heavy malty and notes of caramel. Huge frothy, off-white head. Excellent lacing. Clear red brown body. Heavy sweet flavor. Medium palate.
illidurit (489), Santa Cruz, California, USA
Nov 29, 2008 Updated: Nov 30, 2008Poured into a wine glass. Dark brown-amber color with a frothy tan head that displays great retention along with some sticky lace. Hazy yeasty body, but still sort of light for the style. Aroma is alcohol soaked dates and raisins. Flavor is fruitcakey, with fig, date, spiced sweetbread, caramel, phenols. Quite sweet but it does a good job of covering the hefty 11% abv. Body and carbonation are excellent and appropriate, which is expected from St Bernardus.
Maverick34 (508), New York, USA
Nov 27, 2008 Bottled way back in 2006 (rating from then). Poured dark w/nice head. Yeast, fruit, malts etc - just about as awesome as one would expect from these guys/this type.
00cobraR (1000), Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Nov 2, 2008 A damn fine beer. Pours out a dark brown color with a nice off white head. aroma was sweet yeasty with notes of fruit and malts. flavor is wonderful. its is very similar to the aroma. finish is smooth and well balanced. a fantastic brew.
Wasatch (182), Layton, Utah, USA
Oct 25, 2008 Been sitting on this one for about a year. Was suppose to have it last Christmas or New Years. Well, today is the day.
Tin Can/Brown Paper Wrapped
750ml
Caged/Corked
Nice loud pop apond opening. Poured into a Delirium Tulip, a nice ruby red/mahongy color, awesome carbonation, huge two-finger creamy light tan head, tons of thick sticky lacing follows and stay with the drink. The nose is malty, slight yeast, dark fruits (figs, raisins, plums), and a nice touch of caramel. The taste is simply amazing, malty, sweet, slight tangyness, dark fruits, and caramel. The alcohol is hidden very very well on this one. Full body, this is a well-rounded/complex brew. Very drinkable, a truely delicious brew, highly recommended.
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