St Bernardus ABT 12 Oak Aged

…or at least not as good as 2014 Abt 12, which is only slightly less great when compared to 2013 Abt 12, which is just an eyelash shy of how good 2012 Abt 12 was, but that was far short of 2011 Abt 12...

 

Yeah, that's the question. Unfortunately the brewery website is no help. Just the post on their facebook page.

 

Really excited to try this.

 

Any word on when this will be hitting stores?

 

According to the OP, "available before new year" - so I'm guessing in the next couple weeks...

 

Heard about the brewery showing bottles of it at a recent horeca event but not allowing people to actually try it. Weird, either way, I'm game, hope that they will sell it in Belgium.

 

Price wise, I wouldn't be opposed to $20+ a bottle. Straffe Hendrik Heritage is $22+ and it's an incredible beer (this year's is Cognac barrel), so it's not unrealistic to pay close to the same for St. B.

 

Exactly, and my expectations of this are based on the Straffe Hendrik Heritage.

 

I've yet to try the Straffe Heritage, but will check it out from your recommendations.

 

I suspect $20+, La Trappe's Oak Aged Quad is $20 and it's like a 500ml.

 

It's damn incredible.

The La Trappe is actually a 375mL. As is the oak aged Isis D'or.

 

I need this in my life!

 

And the Straffe Hendrik is better plus you get a 750. Its like $2-5 more as well.

 

I've never had an oak-aged quad. People tell me that Stickee Monkey is severely overrated, though.

 

Well, if you go into it expecting a quad you shouldn't consider it overrated, you should consider it a failure. Firestone Walker called it an English barleywine for almost five years before they bottled it. Nothing's changed; it isn't a quad. It is a damn tasty barleywine, however.

Alvinne Cuvee D'Erpigny was a damn tasty barrel-aged quad. Quite sweet, but delicious. Not sure if they make it anymore, I've only ever seen two bottlings.

 

Completely different beast really. Stickee Monkee is an American Quad which as stated above comes off more like a barely wine and it's aged in whiskey barrels, and it is pretty good. This is a more traditional Belgian aged in simple oak barrels. I would buy buy either if I saw them.

 

Stickee Monkey indeed is far from a traditional quad, though it is incredible. Oak aged Belgian quads really are that much better though, the Straffe and La Trappe are two of the best Belgian beers I've ever had. Abt 12 can't be much off from that.

 

And don't forget La Trappe Oak Aged, which usually run $16-18 for a smaller bottle. Depending on the batch, they're usually worth it.

 

Oh, beat me to it.