Westvleteren Abt 12.
A Trappist beer from Belgium. "Trappist", you ask? A Trappist beer is one made by monks. Of the 171 Trappist monasteries in the world, just 7 produce beer: Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren, and La Trappe. Trappist beers are denoted by a special label on the bottle, "Authentic Trappist Product". Any beer brewed along the same style and guidelines, but not in fact brewed by monks, are known as "abbey style" beers.
The monks at Westvletern only brew a limited amount: 60,000 cases a year. Basically, they brew what they need to survive and are not in it for profit or advancement. This scarcity, compounded with the absolutely delicious flavor of the beer, makes this a rare find indeed. Consequently, a "gray market" has evolved for this beer. You see, whereas Chimay is a multi-million dollar enterprise with its beers exported across the globe and readily found in every beer store (Chimay was the first high gravity import found in North Carolina once the 6% ABV cap was popped in 2005), Westvleteren is limited to personal abbey-only sales at two cases per customer per month. Folks gobble up what they can, and some makes its way across the Atlantic in a rather shady way to higher end beer stores in the States. The closest store to us that had it was Vintage Cellar in Blacksburg, VA...a mere 2 and 1/2 hours away. Chris had made the trek to purchase some here but the supply has dried up, so no more. It is however available via Belgian Shop, but at an astronomical price once shipping to the States is included: http://shop.belgianshop.com/acatalog/Westvleteren.html
We are down to just two bottles in our possession. And Chris has no idea when he will drink them. For when they're gone, they're gone. He's had them before, and it was an experience beyond all explanation. A deep dark brew with notes of dark fruit, powdered cocoa, and velvety rich alcohol warmth. For our German Oktoberfest vacation in 2008 we had wanted to include a rail trip over to Belgium to the Cafe in de Vrede across from the abbey where this delicious nectar is available for on-premises consumption, but sadly not for take-home sales. But, horrifically, it is closed the second half of September every year. Grumble, grumble, grumble.
There was a recent story in the Wall Street Journal concerning this mesmerizing beer, and the final quote from brewer Brother Joris had a biting note: "If you can't have it, possibly you do not really need it." Heavy, bro. Heavy.
(FYI, similar beers to Westvletern Abt 12 that you can actually FIND in a local beer store include Rochefort 10 and St. Bernardus Abt 12. So go shopping!!!)
2 comments:
You know...I had both the Westvleteren 8 & 12 a few years ago. Both were very good beers. With that being said...if ever a beer benefitted from hype...this would be the one I would nominate.
Short of going to Europe, these brews can be hard to come by. I definitely feel that contributes to the experience when someone finally get to try one of these brews. I'm not saying that is right or wrong. I just feel that contributes largely to the perception that is held about this beer.
The other facet of this is that most of the Trappist Dubbels and Quadrupels are very solid beers. I would be just as happy with some of the beers from St. Bernardus, for example, vs. the Westvleteren beers. The beers from St. Bernardus are more widely available and much more reasonably priced. A local store had 11.2 oz singles of the Westvleteren beers for just under $30 a pop. I think I will pass.
To be honest, it is hard to consider any one beer the best. There are so many world-class beers out there. Why not just enjoy the one in your hand?
Well said.
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