Westvleteren XII

Westvleteren XII is a Belgian Quadrupel. No that isn’t right, it is THE Belgian Quad! Before the recent explosion of trading and insta-whales this was the beer trading pinnacle. So hard to get and so well received, it used to be the perennial top beer on just about every one’s list. It should be no surprise then that his is my proudest trading acquisition. This is one of those 2011 vintage beers, packaged and sent to distribution in an effort to earn enough money repair the brewery roof. Best by on the bottle reads 00.00.2015, opened and shared with Lee and Raymond on 09.22.2014.

The beer itself is goes almost beyond description. It pours with an active off white head and dark amber color. Big sweet grape nose. Lee likened it to grape Hubba-Bubba gum, which is shockingly not too far off. Add a bit of toffee and a huge amount of alcohol as well and you get what I smelled. The taste is complex and sublime. Leather, alcohol soaked raisin and figs, a hint of cocoa and banana, white grape skins, dry white wine notes and a champagne like carbonation. Each sip was unique and amazing.

I kind of doubt I will ever own another bottle of this, but I have high hopes I find it being shared by somebody in the future. I will look forward to that day!