St. Bernardus Abt 12

Brewed by St. Bernard Brouwerij
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Watou, Belgium

Bue à 15 degrés C. Liquide brun translucide. Mince mousse qui s’estompe assez rapidement. Nez fruité et levuré. Je remarque entre autre les fruits des champs, la levure et le raisin au nez. En bouche, c’est très équilibré. Le 10% alc./vol. ne se fait pas ressentir. Peu effervescente, la bière n’est ni trop sucrée, ni trop amère. Arrière goût de levure. Une bière à siroter lentement dans un moment de tranquillité intérieure. Un classique du genre.

[Bottle] Pours a reddish brown color with a copious amount of lasting off-white head. Sweet malty aroma includes some caramel, sweet apple and banana aroma. Dark molasses and toffee in the flavor along with the fruit. Light spice and yeasty notes as well. A fantastic creamy mouthfeel that imparts a very nice balance. Only the slightest bit of alcohol warming towards the end of the sample. One of the best Quads out there for sure.

Notes from Seattle International Beer Festival. Not how I remember abbey ales. Dark like a dubbel. Definite alcohol flavor. Smooth, velvety palate. Am I the only one to rate it this low?

Bottle in Flanders region (Belgium) - Dark brown appearance with a foamy white head. Fruity aroma. Sweet taste malt but not so sickly. Fruity yeastiness. Excellent mouth feel and excellent beer!

Bottle that has been stored at 54 degrees for about 8 months. Dark brown pour with a frothy off white head. Overripe fruit nose. Full flavor and palate. Burnt sugar, sweet malt but not at all sickly, cola, and fruity yeastiness. Nice, full palate. Excellent beer from one of my favorite breweries.

Beautiful layered flavours superbly balanced. There’s dark fruit in the forefront (prunes, cherries), and bright, slightly bitter notes in the back (orange peel, hints of clove and coriander seed) Great mouthfeel. It’s syrupy, but not overly sweet. This is an almost perfect quad, quite probably my favourite.

Pours a very dark brown with a thin white head. Aroma of raisins and figs. Flavor is sweet roasted caramel malt, dried fruits and candy sugar. Warming, but hides the high ABV well. Full, sticky mouthfeel with a warm, smooth finish. A classic Belgian. Not sure if it’s worthy of top 50, but an excellent beer.