St. Bernardus Abt 12

A classic abbey beer, loosely in the “Quadrupel” style, Abt 12 is a powerhouse weighing in at 10.5 percent ABV. This is most definitely a sipping beer and is not for the faint of heart. Pours with a dark copper color, though with an evident haze, and capped by a mousse-like, dense, light tan head. Big aromas of banana, tropical fruit, raisins, spices and rum leap from the glass, as would be expected of the style. Rick and Lee both applauded the tantalizing lavender, nutmeg and allspice aromas that drifted over the top of the rich sugar and fruit notes. All of the panel members commented on the rather prominent alcohol in the aroma as well. The flavors come through as intensely fruity, with notes of banana, pineapple, as well as spicy clove, añejo rum and anise. The malt expresses itself as soft and slightly bready, and a dark, somewhat rummy candy sugar flavor works with it to lend a subtle malty complexity to the palate. Tom admired the soft “Belgian yeast character” and creamy texture of this beer. As was true with the aroma, the alcohol makes its powerful presence known in the flavor. The alcohol, although quite strong, does not overpower the other flavors, and it lends to the beer’s overall sweetness. Tim commented that this beer would pair very well with a Carbonnade Flammande or Moules et Frites. This is a sumptuous brew that should be enjoyed at one’s leisure.
A classic abbey beer, loosely in the “Quadrupel” style, Abt 12 is a powerhouse weighing in at 10.5 percent ABV. This is most definitely a sipping beer and is not for the faint of heart. Pours with a dark copper color, though with an evident haze, and capped by a mousse-like, dense, light tan head. Big aromas of banana, tropical fruit, raisins, spices and rum leap from the glass, as would be expected of the style. Rick and Lee both applauded the tantalizing lavender, nutmeg and allspice aromas that drifted over the top of the rich sugar and fruit notes. All of the panel members commented on the rather prominent alcohol in the aroma as well. The flavors come through as intensely fruity, with notes of banana, pineapple, as well as spicy clove, añejo rum and anise. The malt expresses itself as soft and slightly bready, and a dark, somewhat rummy candy sugar flavor works with it to lend a subtle malty complexity to the palate. Tom admired the soft “Belgian yeast character” and creamy texture of this beer. As was true with the aroma, the alcohol makes its powerful presence known in the flavor. The alcohol, although quite strong, does not overpower the other flavors, and it lends to the beer’s overall sweetness. Tim commented that this beer would pair very well with a Carbonnade Flammande or Moules et Frites. This is a sumptuous brew that should be enjoyed at one’s leisure.
A classic abbey beer, loosely in the “Quadrupel” style, Abt 12 is a powerhouse weighing in at 10.5 percent ABV. This is most definitely a sipping beer and is not for the faint of heart. Pours with a dark copper color, though with an evident haze, and capped by a mousse-like, dense, light tan head. Big aromas of banana, tropical fruit, raisins, spices and rum leap from the glass, as would be expected of the style. Rick and Lee both applauded the tantalizing lavender, nutmeg and allspice aromas that drifted over the top of the rich sugar and fruit notes. All of the panel members commented on the rather prominent alcohol in the aroma as well. The flavors come through as intensely fruity, with notes of banana, pineapple, as well as spicy clove, añejo rum and anise. The malt expresses itself as soft and slightly bready, and a dark, somewhat rummy candy sugar flavor works with it to lend a subtle malty complexity to the palate. Tom admired the soft “Belgian yeast character” and creamy texture of this beer. As was true with the aroma, the alcohol makes its powerful presence known in the flavor. The alcohol, although quite strong, does not overpower the other flavors, and it lends to the beer’s overall sweetness. Tim commented that this beer would pair very well with a Carbonnade Flammande or Moules et Frites. This is a sumptuous brew that should be enjoyed at one’s leisure.
A classic abbey beer, loosely in the “Quadrupel” style, Abt 12 is a powerhouse weighing in at 10.5 percent ABV. This is most definitely a sipping beer and is not for the faint of heart. Pours with a dark copper color, though with an evident haze, and capped by a mousse-like, dense, light tan head. Big aromas of banana, tropical fruit, raisins, spices and rum leap from the glass, as would be expected of the style. Rick and Lee both applauded the tantalizing lavender, nutmeg and allspice aromas that drifted over the top of the rich sugar and fruit notes. All of the panel members commented on the rather prominent alcohol in the aroma as well. The flavors come through as intensely fruity, with notes of banana, pineapple, as well as spicy clove, añejo rum and anise. The malt expresses itself as soft and slightly bready, and a dark, somewhat rummy candy sugar flavor works with it to lend a subtle malty complexity to the palate. Tom admired the soft “Belgian yeast character” and creamy texture of this beer. As was true with the aroma, the alcohol makes its powerful presence known in the flavor. The alcohol, although quite strong, does not overpower the other flavors, and it lends to the beer’s overall sweetness. Tim commented that this beer would pair very well with a Carbonnade Flammande or Moules et Frites. This is a sumptuous brew that should be enjoyed at one’s leisure.