Is it me or St. Bernardus having a chlorine problem?

Strange indeed. Perhaps the distributer left the pallet on the sunny sidewalk long enough to skunk it all.

 

Probably something wrong with the beer. I almost never see Belgian beer refrigerated in stores. Let it sit long enough under fluorescent lighting and it's going to go bad eventually.

 

Through the cardboard? Musta been really sunny that day...

 

I think had the same mixed pack as you and didn’t love it either. The Quad was the best. I couldn’t finish the dubbel and the Wit was pretty tastless. On a brighter not I liked the glass that came with it a lot.

 

Those packs tend to be on the expensive side, like around $25. Seems there is a segment of "craft beer" buyers that won't spend that much unless it is an IPA with a bad neon label with the words hazy and juicy on it (yes a bit of hyperbole, so what)

Though, those do tend to sit around a long time on the shelf. I'm sure that pack was pretty old. Tripels and Wits in particular don't age well for me. But I did have several St Bernardus Wits on tap at one of my favorite places in town they other day, Cafe Brussels, and it was great. No off flavors or soapiness at all.

(Edit, just saw the OP's location is in Sweden, so not sure on the price and hyperbolic trendy beer buying there )

 

Does not compute.

 

I bought some Christmas ale last December and it tasted like the previous editions that I’ve had. I even did a side by side with year old Christmas ale and I couldn’t pick up any differences. No chlorine taste either.

I have always thought that their Wit had a weird little chemical taste to it. It sounds different from what you noticed.

 

I somewhat recently posted how inconsistent st bernie beers can be. I think it’s a brewery QC issue. Bought that pack a few years ago myself and while I can’t remember what specifically, most of the beers were off. I’ve had 12s that were magical, others that literally couldn’t be poured, and one that went into the drain. Unfortunately, as great as SB12 is when it’s right, don’t think I’ll ever buy any beers from this brewery again (except the occasional Xmas ale). Easy choice when Rochefort is on the same shelf.

Whenever I see a bottle of this, I wonder if it’s actually intentional:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/259/444089/

 

That's too bad. I've actually returned beers to liquor stores because they was terribly skunked or when I got home I finally found the expiration date and was 15 mo Old. And talkin' about a Lager. Yucko. They always give me store credit for something else.
Perhaps your Bernie 4pk never had a chance. Bottles weren't sterile, or the caps. Extreme temperature changes, UV light, one of the monks was throwin' out F bombs as he was filling the bottles

 

Years ago I lived near a store that stocked the full range of St. Bernadus and enjoyed it regularly. I never found any of the off flavors listed by the OP but that was a decade ago.

 

Don't know what sort of language - or even which language - is used on the bottling line, but it's doubtful any monks are working on it. St. Bernardus is privately owned, purchased by Hans Depypere in 1998. That's not even a monk (sometimes winking...) on the label:
“He doesn’t have a ‘keppel’ on his head. He doesn’t have a closed robe. Let’s just say it’s not a monk, but rather a medieval counselor.”

 

The last time I bought a 4 pack of St B 12, all four were bad. Oxidized, if memory serves, but it’s been 3-4 years so I don’t really remember. They were drain pours though. It’s a shame because I love that beer. I’m scared to buy it now though.

There are a couple local places that have it on tap somewhat regularly, so I can get a fix that way

 

Do you eat cilantro or coriander?
Some people have a genetic intolerance to the plant where it tastes very soapy vs citrusy.
Seeing as some but not all Dubbels & Tripels are made with coriander and almost all Wits are, that is my best guess, other than mishandling of said beers.
I could see one beer being infected, but not the entire mixed lot.

 

The format of coriander in those beers are seeds. The format of leaves (i.e., cilantro) provides a differing flavor (e.g., a soapy flavor for some people; but not me).

I homebrew with coriander (e.g., Belgian Wit) and for my personal palate it provides a citrusy flavor:

"Coriander

First, a fun fact. Did you know that coriander seeds are the seeds of the cilantro plant?

Coriander can be purchased in two formats: ground coriander like you will find at the supermarket or whole seeds. I have a strong preference for purchasing whole seeds since the concept is that they will be fresher and more vibrant. Sorta like choosing to buy whole bean coffee vs. pre-ground coffee.

And when it comes to coriander seeds there are two types: round and oblong. The oblong seeds are also called Indian coriander. I have brewed with both types and have enjoyed the beers from both but for my palate the Indian coriander contributes a greater citrus flavor which I prefer."

https://www.morebeer.com/articles/Brewing_Witbier

Cheers!