Sometimes one gets caught up in life. Things seem chaotic, stressful, overwhelming. You open a St. Bernardus Abt 12 with such anticipation and it sprays all over the place, spouting out the top like Old Faithful and onto your carpet, seeping in with the old yeast smell that your wife loves so much. And you hurriedly sop it up with a few bits of paper towel and try to take a quick picture before the head disappears and then…you realize you have a beer in your hand. A beautiful, aromatic, perfectly pungent beer. And all is well with the world.
The color was a carbonation saturated brown, like a root beer perhaps, smelling similarly, even. It had a candy-sweet nose with a soft blend of ripened fruit and hints of coffee. The St. Bern’s went down smooth. Unbelievably smooth and flowed down like a velvety chocolate. The alcohol was present for sure and lingered, but not unpleasantly so. As many beers do, it got better as it warmed and I must say it is the first beer in many weeks that I wished for another glass.
A bit o’ history I found interesting: The water used in all St. Bernardus brews is pure as can be, pumped from over 450 feet below the earth’s surface. Also, after brewing, sugar and yeast are added for a second fermentation which ‘gives the beer a beautiful and large froth’ (that might end up on your floor if you’re not careful). The Abt is the ‘absolute top quality’ in the hierarchy of this brewery’s fine choices.
I guess my love of tripels was of no consequence, as the quad is a completely different beast, but I loved it just the same!
ABV: 10.5%
Grade: A
Thanks for the review. I really enjoyed it. I have been wondering about beer by St. Bernardus for some time now and m glad that I now know a good brew from them. Can’t wait to try it out!
Every beer they brew is great, all the way down to the witt. They actually used to brew the beers for the Saint Sixtus Abbey in Belgium, which are generally considered the best in the world.
Glad to hear, Jeff, because I got a sampler pack with three others!
I love this beer. Wow! Rich! Dark! I enjoyed this bottle all by self. It was a brew to be savored and not hurried. Great review. Great beer. I’ll get this again and again.
abt 12 is great
This beer is so good. It might cost 18.00 for a 4-pack but at 10% alcohol it’s like getting 8 beers for 18.00….cheaper than buying Budweiser at a bar or restaurant and it tastes so good. I can’t imagine going back to a Newcastle or blue moon after drinking this. At 10% alcohol 2 beers will put a smile on your face!!!
This is one of my favorite beers. Rich and delicious. Worth the $$.