Westvleteren Extra 8

Brewed by Westvleteren Abdij St. Sixtus
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Westvleteren, Belgium

Whoa! It’s got it all. Malty, but not cloyingly so. A tad smoky. Some coffee notes as well.

Bravo! les moines ont une recette unique et original... une vraie bière Trapiste!

Bottle, Brussels, May 2005. Head is initially average sized, frothy, light brown, mostly lasting. Body is hazy medium brown, bottle conditioned. Aroma is moderately malty (cookie, burnt caramel, chocolate), lightly yeasty (cobwebs), with notes of raisin, plum, toffee, vanilla, candy sugar. Flavor is heavily sweet, lightly acidic, lightly bitter. Finish is moderately sweet, lightly acidic, moderately bitter. Medium to full body, creamy/velvety texture, lively carbonation, lightly alcoholic. Elegant, clean, balanced, and just plain incomparable. Not as bold as the 12, but just as refined. Yeah, I’m raising this to a 5.0...this has been as high as 4.8 before, and this last time, frankly, I fell deeply in love with it...it matched the Westy 12 (which I sampled in the same sitting) in sheer enjoyment even though it’s a bit more easy-going. The 8 and the 12 are both jaw-dropping for me, and wherever their scores fall, whether it’s 4.6, 4.8, or 5.0, I think they’re both equal in quality.

If I could rate this on a scale of 1-5, this would be a 10. I would leave all my other ratings (forgive me Abbey de Scourmont) where they are. This beer maybe even a bit sexier than the Abt 12 Godfather version. Full of so much passion and decadence, this beer blows every other beer to wayside. This is the Pax Roman of beers gentlemen and ladies. If you can get it, get as much as you can!!!!!!

Possibly my favorite beer. Great head retention, pleasing copper hue, and extreme taste all contribute to the experience of drinking this fine beer. Hints of spices, fruits, even a chocolate malt flavor make this one of the most complex brews I have yet to try.

These monks know how to do things right. The blue cap (8) is only exceeded by the yellow cap (12). The alcohol is not a prevalent here as in the 12, but all the malt and balancing hops are right on the mark. If you are luckky enough to find this outside of Belgium, you’d better snatch it up, before I do! You can’t go wrong with Westvleteren!

This was, if not, the best beer, of any style, I have ever had. The subtle flavors changed as the goblet was slowly drained away. Each sip was a new experience. I cannot wait to try the #12. This has officially replaced Chimay as my favorate in Belgum Ales.

One of my favorite trappist ales. I wish it was more available. It has a nice flavor, and when you pour it you see a nice creamy head. Its a strong ale, but good,