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:
3,006
Ratings:
10,348
Status:
Active
Rated:
Saturday at 11:17 PM
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 yesterdayfaraway:
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Reviewed by yesterdayfaraway from Missouri

4.19/5  rDev -6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
L: pours light brown,with a finger if off white head
A: dark fruit juices, Belgium yeast with an overlying sweetness
T: the Belgium yeast pops right away for me. It's very sweet. The dark fruit juices shine.
F: easy drinking, no alcohol presence, light body and smooth
May 01, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of Wheataleguy
Reviewed by Wheataleguy from Georgia

4.89/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Back to Belgium to try the St Bernardus 12 once again. I lived in Germany for several years back in the day, very close to the Belgium border so I got really spoiled with so much great beer in that region. This is one I've had there, and am now revisiting after a couple of decades. I remember this one being a close relative of the famous Westvleteren 12, and tasting very similar. The St Bernardus brewery brewed the Westvleteren's for the monastery under contract for awhile. There may be a slight difference in the yeast used between the two, but to me the rest is very similar. Both world class in my opinion. So let's get on with this review. Poured this one into a Belgian tulip glass, slowly into the center of the glass as it was upright on the counter. No 45 degree stuff...straight, slow pour. Save a bit in the bottle and give it a nice swirl in there to get that remaining yeast stirred and then pour it in. As with all Belgian Trappists, a highly carbonated brew. A three 1/2-finger off-white/caramel colored head and beautiful ruby-red dark color. The head dissipates a bit quicker than say, the Rochefort. Ended up with a nice one-finger tan head. Wonderful carbonation though. On the aroma...I cheated. From the bottle, I got a good whiff of banana. Surprised me because I don't remember this one having any such aroma. From the glass, I get dark fruits. Raison, dates, dark chocolate. Just like I remembered, and it just makes you want to dive in. On the taste, I get sweetness with a very mild bitterness, full bodied, very complex. Right on cue with the style. The carbonation drives those roasted malts straight into the palate where it stays for a while. Lovely. The dark fruits are there initially with a hint of dark chocolate and caramel, stays there for a bit and then on the backend some liquorish mixed in with the dark fruits, which is more pruny than raison on the backend. It's just very complex and delicious. The alcohol is felt on the way down, and as you continue to drink it, you'll begin to feel it on the way up too. Especially after a Weihenstephaner Vitus. There's a sharpness with the alcohol that I don't get when sipping on a Rochefort 10...you'll know you've got something with 10% ABV in your hand. Since I drink for the flavor 90% of the time, I'd opt for the Rochefort 10 any day of the week when fancying a Belgian quad. It's just not as smooth, and the mouthfeel is just a smudge less quality than some of the others. Doesn't mean I'll never drink this one again. You can never go wrong with any Belgian brew as far as I'm concerned. There's a battle with Germany on who brews the best beer in the world, and they need to keep fighting and making beer even that much better. Go get one of these St Bernardus 12 abbey brews. It's not officially a "Trappist", but taste-wise you won't know the difference. World Class still.
Saturday at 11:17 PM
 
Rated: 4.11 by arjanm from Netherlands

Saturday at 12:26 PM
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Reviewed by Roxchambeau from New Jersey

4.97/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Hard to describe. simply one of the best beers ever made. Has a "cleaner" feel than other Trappist Quads. dark caramel, fruits, and a slight alcohol warmth. Sip slowly and savor!
Apr 04, 2024
 
Rated: 4.28 by Adam_stewart from Canada (ON)

Apr 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.69 by sewerchewer from New York

Mar 28, 2024
 
Rated: 4.75 by BubalooBrewMaster from Kentucky

Mar 25, 2024
 
Rated: 4.4 by TXRobbo from Texas

Mar 24, 2024
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
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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