Abt 12
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV

Abt 12Abt 12
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From:
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
 
Belgium
Style:
Quadrupel (Quad)
Ranked #4
ABV:
10%
Score:
99
Ranked #241
Avg:
4.47 | pDev: 9.17%
Reviews:
2,986
Ratings:
10,287
Status:
Active
Rated:
Thursday at 03:59 AM
Added:
Oct 14, 2001
Wants:
  894
Gots:
  2,911
SCORE
99
World-Class
Abt 12Abt 12
Notes: 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.
 
Rated: 4.84 by TFerg from North Carolina

Thursday at 03:59 AM
Photo of DanO1066
Reviewed by DanO1066 from Maryland

4.25/5  rDev -4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Draught 10oz snifter at The Brass Tap here in Baltimore: Dark-brown body, whatever there may have been didn't survive the server's turning around just across the bar from me; aroma of sweet malts & raisins?; more of the same to taste; alcohol is well hidden, smooth, perhaps thinner than expected. A nice dessert quad - probably pairs well with an actual dessert.
May 14, 2023
 
Rated: 3.72 by TheRatCage from Connecticut

May 07, 2023
 
Rated: 4.73 by EfecanP

May 06, 2023
Photo of BJB13
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland

3.88/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
330 ml bottle poured into a snulip.
Best by 4/13/26

I found this , to my surprise, to be a bit of a let down. It was less malty sweet and more tangy sharp than I expected, thinner too. I still found it enjoyable but have found other Quads more to my liking (perhaps they were overly sweet for style). Maybe it was just an off day for my palate so I will revisit and compare notes.
May 06, 2023
Photo of Gimmesomebeer
Rated by Gimmesomebeer from Canada (BC)

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is the best beer I have ever tasted. The flavors change as you drink it. There isn't much else to say about it.
May 05, 2023
 
Rated: 4.46 by Ox8840bo from Illinois

Apr 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.62 by Bhubbard34 from Pennsylvania

Apr 27, 2023
 
Photo of MrOH
Reviewed by MrOH from Malta

4.79/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Deep chestnut brown, thick tan head, excellent retention, bands of lacing
Rum, figs, prunes, quatre epices, light banana, brown sugar, earthy aromas
Rum cake with dried fruit, brown sugar, quatre epices flavors
Medium bodied and well carbonated
Love this beer.
Apr 16, 2023
Photo of KleinSchwein
Reviewed by KleinSchwein

4.35/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
Look - Dark red when help to the light , huge light brown head with a lot of lacing.

Smell- Yeasty and light banana.

Mouth feel - Thick and smooth, light carbonation.

Taste - Mellow , smooth, slight banana, treacle and some fairly funky yeast . Alcohol present. Excellent bitterness of the finish .

Overall - Very moreish. A little too strong for me but feels as if it would be a good celebratory beer on a very special occasion.
Apr 13, 2023
 
Rated: 4.6 by Ananabiya

Apr 12, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by db9000

Apr 10, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by myterpsr1 from Maryland

Apr 10, 2023
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Rated by lackard-b from Tennessee

4.8/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Might very well be the Platonic form of beer.
Mar 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.82 by rpmello81 from California

Mar 18, 2023
Photo of TommyG22
Rated by TommyG22 from Wisconsin

4.35/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
First time trying this classic. Everything has already been said. This is a really nice Abbey Ale. Cheers.
Mar 17, 2023
Photo of UWDAWG
Reviewed by UWDAWG from Washington

4.33/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 11.2 ounce bottle dated enjoy by 10/2/23 into a tulip glass.

Look- Deep amber brown, plentiful visible particulate, sudsy medium tan head, opaque, average head retention, below average lacing.

Smell- Banana, fig, chocolate, between weak and medium strength of scent.

Taste- Fig, bready, apple, banana, earthy, slightly boozy, slightly sweet, medium strength of flavor.

Feel- Between thin and medium body, highly creamy, low bitterness, slightly below average carbonation, mildly mouth warming.

Overall- Deep amber brown with plentiful visible particulate and average head retention. Bouquet was delicate with between weak and medium strength, but very appealing. Flavor was medium in strength with a nice mix of fruitiness and notes of malt. This beer was highly creamy with between thin and medium body. Overall this was a very pleasant experience with a style I’m not overly familiar with.
Mar 06, 2023
 
Rated: 4.94 by Blackdog218 from Florida

Mar 03, 2023
Photo of DFred
Rated by DFred from California

4.5/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Exceptional Belgian quad--as good as everyone says!
Feb 23, 2023
 
Rated: 4.63 by Miles_Nilges from New York

Feb 01, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Iron_x_man from Colorado

Jan 16, 2023
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Reviewed by cwm51662 from Indiana

4.07/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
I don't think I can add a lot to what was said by those who actually reviewed and didn't just say it was best ever: Surprisingly dark and hazy, big head at the pour- be careful! Not much smell, less alcohol than I've ever had in a 10+abv. Raisin/prune flavor. Gotta love the Monks!
Jan 15, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by Datrendell from Florida

Jan 11, 2023
 
Rated: 4.45 by VashonGuy from Washington

Jan 11, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by HowfarisZanzibar from New Hampshire

Jan 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.63 by PaulMayer from Virginia

Jan 03, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by TheYeasticandoo from Massachusetts

Jan 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4.72 by MrJones07 from Spain

Jan 02, 2023
 
Rated: 4.85 by Joebbailey from Luxembourg

Jan 01, 2023
Photo of NanookinTexas
Reviewed by NanookinTexas from Texas

4.87/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Just finished a 750ml bottle of ABT12. And one that's been in my collection for at minimum 2 years. I haven't had an ABT12 in God only knows how long, 5 years, 6 years? What a SPECTACULAR brew. Wish I had a few other bottles of the same vintage to consume during this New Year's Holiday weekend in a more focused way. Even so, this much I will say : Definitely not for the faint of heart. It's FANTASTIC in color and complex in flavor and, super rich, thick and frothy (be extra careful when you pour it). It's been a LONG time since I last posted a review on BA. Finishing this bottle tonight, I simply had to add some thoughts. A PERFECT brew for this time of year. CHEERS to all. And may all of you have a joyous 2023!
Dec 31, 2022
 
Rated: 4.45 by LA2ED7

Dec 30, 2022
 
Rated: 4.9 by NazeemsBeerReviews from Canada (NB)

Dec 27, 2022
 
Rated: 5 by AbeO

Dec 16, 2022
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Rated by frozen_heat from Illinois

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Perfection in a bottle. Best beer I have ever had, full of taste and complexity.
Dec 10, 2022
 
Rated: 4.31 by raust from Texas

Dec 08, 2022
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Rated by ivanbrew

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Tried it out of the bottle perfect quad I have ever tried probably made this brewery famous because of this brew definitely 5/5 perfect!
Dec 05, 2022
 
Rated: 4.43 by lakewy17 from New Hampshire

Dec 04, 2022
Photo of Sandys_Shack
Reviewed by Sandys_Shack from Florida

5/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Ok.... we did taste the "best beer of the world" with a 99 overall on beer advocate.... We were like "yeah right f**k it"

Here is our review ...

It is the best beer of the world.... ... sadly . :(
100 for us !

Sandra and Alex
-Owner of Sandy's Shack
Dec 02, 2022
Abt 12 from Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Beer rating: 99 out of 100 with 10287 ratings