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Abt 12
Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
- 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:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Yesterday at 07:32 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 boss302:
Reviewed by boss302 from Florida
4.52/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.52/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
.33l bottle, chilled to 56F, date on label: 13 08 14.
History of St Bernardus. St Bernardus used to brew for St Sixtus (aka Westvleteren) from 1946 to 1992. According to "Brew like a Monk" by Stan Hieronymus, they claim to brew the same way they did for St Sixtus. I have a Westvleteren 12 from "Keith" from Cedar Grove, Fl. I have done a back to back tasting to compare the two and have updated this review below the original on 5/12/2010
05-12-2010 Original review
A dark color, but when held to the light it appears a deep deep red. Thick creamy head, but didn't last long as it settleed down to a nice even layer that was supported by a continuous flow of bubbles from the bottom of the glass. The glass ended with a shot of beer and the remainder of the head, quite nice.
S sweet raisiny smell, no hop odor was noticeable. Very clean.
T high carbonation bite, sweet fruity caramel flavor that sticks to the back corners of my mouth. Reminds me of dark dried fruit, very complex flavors, even, well balanced, no one flavor dominates. Quite nice.
M full body, very nice feel. There is a hint to the alcohol in the warm atertaste, but otherwise its undetectable.
D overall a nice beer. Might be hard to drink more than a few, it's high in alcohol and pretty heavy.
12-28-2010 Review after a Westy12
Abt12, 13 08 14. Tasting with Westvleteren12 and Rochefort 10. 350ml bottle.
A Dark chestnut, thick course head, a nice looking beer. Of the 3 beers Westvleteren12, Abt12 and Rochefort, the Abt12 and Westy are the closest in color. 4.5 same as original review.
S Plums, apricot, and licorice aroma. Fruit is up front, but not as prominent as it is in the Westy. 4.5 lower than original (5.0).
T Fruit is present in the taste as well, but not as much as the westy 12. Not as clean and a bit rougher compared to the Westy. Overall a very good beer, but for me it comes in a 2nd place. 4.5 same as original review.
M As with the other Belgian big beers, the mouthfeel is thick and substantive. Carbonation is good, in fact better than the Westy. 4.5 same as original review.
D A good beer, but with the high alcohol, you won't be having too many. Good to have a few in the frig for sipping. 4.5 higher than original review (4.0).
Dec 29, 2010History of St Bernardus. St Bernardus used to brew for St Sixtus (aka Westvleteren) from 1946 to 1992. According to "Brew like a Monk" by Stan Hieronymus, they claim to brew the same way they did for St Sixtus. I have a Westvleteren 12 from "Keith" from Cedar Grove, Fl. I have done a back to back tasting to compare the two and have updated this review below the original on 5/12/2010
05-12-2010 Original review
A dark color, but when held to the light it appears a deep deep red. Thick creamy head, but didn't last long as it settleed down to a nice even layer that was supported by a continuous flow of bubbles from the bottom of the glass. The glass ended with a shot of beer and the remainder of the head, quite nice.
S sweet raisiny smell, no hop odor was noticeable. Very clean.
T high carbonation bite, sweet fruity caramel flavor that sticks to the back corners of my mouth. Reminds me of dark dried fruit, very complex flavors, even, well balanced, no one flavor dominates. Quite nice.
M full body, very nice feel. There is a hint to the alcohol in the warm atertaste, but otherwise its undetectable.
D overall a nice beer. Might be hard to drink more than a few, it's high in alcohol and pretty heavy.
12-28-2010 Review after a Westy12
Abt12, 13 08 14. Tasting with Westvleteren12 and Rochefort 10. 350ml bottle.
A Dark chestnut, thick course head, a nice looking beer. Of the 3 beers Westvleteren12, Abt12 and Rochefort, the Abt12 and Westy are the closest in color. 4.5 same as original review.
S Plums, apricot, and licorice aroma. Fruit is up front, but not as prominent as it is in the Westy. 4.5 lower than original (5.0).
T Fruit is present in the taste as well, but not as much as the westy 12. Not as clean and a bit rougher compared to the Westy. Overall a very good beer, but for me it comes in a 2nd place. 4.5 same as original review.
M As with the other Belgian big beers, the mouthfeel is thick and substantive. Carbonation is good, in fact better than the Westy. 4.5 same as original review.
D A good beer, but with the high alcohol, you won't be having too many. Good to have a few in the frig for sipping. 4.5 higher than original review (4.0).
More User Ratings:
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
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, 2024Rated by brianstrong2 from Tennessee
4.8/5 rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
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, 2024Rated by ElijahWorships from Georgia
5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Perhaps the greatest ever!
Feb 09, 2024Rated by jneedham
4.98/5 rDev +11.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
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
Abt 12 from Brouwerij St. Bernardus NV
Beer rating:
99 out of
100 with
10344 ratings
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