Abt 12
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

Abt 12Abt 12
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From:
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
 
Belgium
Style:
Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #3
ABV:
10%
Score:
99
Ranked #241
Avg:
4.47 | pDev: 9.17%
Reviews:
3,004
Ratings:
10,341
Status:
Active
Rated:
Mar 10, 2024
Added:
Oct 14, 2001
Wants:
  902
Gots:
  2,925
St. Bernardus Abt 12 is widely regarded as one of the best beers in the world. It is therefore no surprise that it is our brewery’s flagship beer, ranked at the very top of the St. Bernardus beer hierarchy. It is brewed in the classic quadrupel style and adheres to the original 1946 recipe.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by doktorhops:
Photo of doktorhops
Reviewed by doktorhops from Australia

4.88/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Holy Mother of St. Bernardus! I’ve finally got my hands on a bottle of St. Bernardus Abt 12. This one comes from the greatest bottleshop in Australia, aka Plonk (in Canberra folks), I asked for it and they got it in (I love those guys!). Well this has been one at the top of my list for ages, isn’t it great when you finally get to topple giants? Anyway without further ado (I hate ado’s) let’s crack open some Abt 12.

Poured from a 750ml bottle into a St. Feuillien chalice as it is the glass that compares most to the one on label, plus how happy does that monk look? I want to look that happy.

A: Cloudy, with yeast particles everywhere, deep ruby ( and I mean really really really deep ruby) body with a 1cm fawn head that stays like a champ. 10/10.

S: First whiff is a combination of dark fruit (plum, fig, date) esters and white wine spirit. Further notes of heavy bread yeast, brown sugar and a hint of peppercorn is revealed afterwards. That touch of wine spirit is the only disturbance to a perfect score. 9/10.

T: One massive dark fruit experience! With added bold characters of brown sugar, rye bread and alcohol warmth at the back. There is a light medicinal hop note providing a hint of bitterness to cut through the sugar, and a slight peppercorn spice plays in to the flavour as well. What’s amazing about this brew is how flavoursome it is at 10% ABV. A buttery diacetyl opens up as the glass warms. Damn these monks in their fancy cassocks can brew! 10/10.

M: Medium bodied with velvety smooth carbonation, it paints a rich tongue-coating tapestry throughout the mouth, mmmm. 10/10.

D: Well the points are flying left right and centre for Abt 12, and so they should be - this is one brilliant Quad. Better than Trappistes Rochefort 10? Yes, this one has a touch more character in the flavour. As Doc (i.e. me, I’m doing a Caesar referring to himself in the third person thing now) always says: “The T in my reviews is king”. Indeed it is with the Abt 12. Let’s talk about the cons of this fine Ale: None. No wait, if you’re the designated driver going to a party and they’re serving bottles of this you might end up driving home drunk, getting caught and having your licence suspended... that is however a very specific and unlikely scenario (err, someone serving Abt 12 at a party that is, not the drink/driving part). 10/10.

Food match: Some Trappist cheeses would go down a treat along with crusty bread.
Oct 16, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of turfy
Reviewed by turfy from Texas

4.54/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Murky dark brown body with a most impressive, foamy tan head, 4 fingers high. Nose of raisins, malt, some sweetness and a bit of booze. Dark fruit taste with some breadiness, malt, and a lingering light sweet taste. Medium body and carbonation. If the body was a touch heavier, I would love this beer to death. World class beer, simply.
Mar 10, 2024
 
Rated: 4.63 by Iggy88 from Ohio

Mar 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.41 by BSW from California

Feb 18, 2024
Photo of brianstrong2
Rated by brianstrong2 from Tennessee

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
One of the best beers in the world. Fills up half the top shelf of my beer fridge.
Feb 16, 2024
Photo of ElijahWorships
Rated by ElijahWorships from Georgia

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Perhaps the greatest ever!
Feb 09, 2024
 
Rated: 4.48 by dhebert87 from Texas

Feb 04, 2024
 
Rated: 4.87 by Supper1

Jan 30, 2024
Photo of jneedham
Rated by jneedham

4.98/5  rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Amazing Beer! One of best I have ever had! Chocolate and malty notes! Perfection!
Jan 17, 2024
 
Rated: 4.26 by RoyalKaiju from Kentucky

Jan 14, 2024
 
Rated: 4.57 by asouth12 from Massachusetts

Jan 14, 2024
 
Rated: 3.93 by SeanP99 from North Carolina

Jan 11, 2024
 
Rated: 4.18 by Maxxis from Illinois

Jan 09, 2024
 
Rated: 4.5 by BrisLoganite from Australia

Jan 06, 2024
 
Rated: 4.13 by paylstep from Canada (ON)

Dec 31, 2023
 
Rated: 4.84 by superwho24 from Arkansas

Dec 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.53 by Quikshark from South Carolina

Dec 26, 2023
Photo of Troy-Hawaii
Rated by Troy-Hawaii from Hawaii

4/5  rDev -10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Bought a single 11.2 oz bottle Village Bottle Shop $7.99
Dec 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.85 by KeithGreatNorth from Canada (BC)

Dec 11, 2023
Photo of NqyRobbo
Rated by NqyRobbo from England

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Sensational
Dec 10, 2023
Abt 12 from Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Beer rating: 99 out of 100 with 10341 ratings