Westvleteren 12: The Best Beer in the Whole Wide World?

[denduc900]

I have a case of westvleteren in my cellar , I was also able to buy 2 cases from "de struise" including : pannepot , pannepot res. and black albert and I must say that these beers are in complexity almost as great as the westvleteren. Absolutely brilliant beers!



[kisame21]

are you craaaaaaaaaaaaazyyyyyyy???? you did not pour it right! it has no foam... what a waste sigh

[albnorhyno]

I love your questioning on whether it truthfully is the best beer in the world or if it's just a hyped thing....I've found some are really really good *those top beers that is* and some really weren't all that good to me....one thing I have found after reviewing over 500 beers, people don't understand that an internet reviewer is mostly going on personal taste opinion and don't ever disagree with someone!

[SudsTokes]

For all you saying he ruined it and had no foam"" , it's called a head and beer comes down to personal preference and how you enjoy your beer served. Think outside the box and don't be so single minded.

[albnorhyno]

@SudsTokes Thats hard for people to do, on youtube if you don't have the exact same thought process as most of the people on here you know nothing and are an idiot.

[SudsTokes]

@albnorhyno thats a pretty bold statement guy.

[albnorhyno]

@SudsTokes Hey I'm going off of paradigns of the many many trolls out there in the youtube world....review say...I don't know JR 5.5 and say you don't like it and "OMG YOUR AN IDIOT YOUR AN IDIOT BLAH BLAH BLAH* Say something is a bit disappointing in comparison to the hype, YOU KNOW NOTHING! Say you are not a huge IPA fan unless it's properly balanced OMG YOU DON"T KNOW BEER! Basically I agree with you, but have not seen all that many people that understand that what you say is correct.

[SudsTokes]

@albnorhyno ohhhh i see now my bad just wakin up n still dazed. i dont even comment on videos to much just want to see what people are doin now for homebrews.

[albnorhyno]

@SudsTokes Glad you finally understood, you saddened me at first as your comment of thinking outside the box made me believe there was a person that had learned how to think instead of learned what to think! I personally usually just watch videos and post my own.....I don't comment on many as I don't care to get in battles with the trolls that get angry that someone on the internet doesn't agree with them, Cheers boss and if you homebrew a guy from ottawa brewbyme has a pretty nice setup.

[SudsTokes]

@albnorhyno haha sorry about that man all smiles round here. and i know what u mean just try to live my life n not someone elses. Your videos and some of craigtube are the only videos i watch n upcomming snowboard launches but dif topic. yea im just getting into homebrew so just extracts right now till i get it down right. then probly half extract n half grain before i advance. and i know what u mean by the battles lots of people say things at the time they dont mean or miss understand the tex

[SudsTokes]

@albnorhyno ill check out his vids n let him know u got me there. keep up the reviews champ!! there spoken like a true canadian . illl try to get you someof that verticle winter ale. my liquore store i work at are getting more in soon so. ill keep in touch. probly gonna try to get it to u by christmas. would want anyone else to do the review on it haha. dont know what your prefered style of beer is tho so. i guess it will be a hit or a miss. PUB TIME!!!! take care albnorhyno.

[SudsTokes]

@albnorhyno if u dont have the exact same thought process as most people on youtube you dont know nothing and are an idiot."" just wanted u to hear how absolutely ignorent you sound right there. Thanks guy for the worthless imput.

[willzge]

shut the fuck up and drink, you stupid dick plus your scary

[samohtnulens]

drinking beer is one thing, serving it is another

where the f** is the foam!!

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

What led me to continue my quest for this beer was the description and commentary I read from one fellow who said that after drinking his, he did not brush his teeth for three days....

[OdessaBE]

@kareljuwet : you're so right ...

[kenmasters831]

Torpedos Sierra Nevada!!.

Cali Beer.

but i really wanna try this where can i find it?

maybe Bevmos?

[kareljuwet]

AAAARRRRGHH!!!! What do you think you're doing ?!

You just ruined the best beer in the world, my dear sir...

1. you poured it out with no foam

2. you let it stand to make it 'not too fizzy' (the fizzyness is one of the qualities of a good beer)

In belgium, everyone knows these things. Pretty much everyone l know can pour out a trappist beer

You should go to Westvleteren and order a beer at the café next to the abbey. cheers from Belgium!

[TubeFreakJonas]

"Woody and tannic" = the hops in Westvleteren 12, probably aged to taste a little funky. It's a good one. "Wine-like' is apt.

Westmalle Dubbel is a very good beer - made very differently but with the same yeast. It ages well past expiry if properly cellared. Lots more beers out there besides "The big one."

[killadelphiaHC]

Saint Bernardus, Rochefort, Achel are the top 3 Trappist brands as far a taste goes. Chimay, Westmalle and Westvleteren are all over rated garbage if I may say so myself. Then Koningshoven (La Trappe) is pretty good. Affligem Triple is an awesome beer too although not a trappist beer,

[denduc900]

@killadelphiaHC For one , saint bernardus isn't a real trappist , we have six in Belgium and the sixt is Orval. Secondly , I myself have lived in Achel , untill last year may, for 38 years and can say that Achel certainly is a very good trappist but is absolutely not a top three one. Practically everyone I know who knows a little about beer will agree whit that. The best are , and I'm not talking about personal taste , Westvleteren , Rochefort and Chimay .

[mavallarino]

Do I see bubbles on the glass walls? Be sure the glass is clean before pouring.

[Jappermenu]

lol i'm so lucky i live in west-vleteren :)

[osirri]

Haven't tried it yet. Tried pretty much all the other top ranked beers, but not this yet. My favourite right now is the Trappistes Rochefort 10. Wonderful beer. I'm really looking forward to this one though. Might even be better. Thx for the vid.

[MasterBombadillo]

Great review btw. Westvleteren 12 is one of the best beers I've ever tasted, along with other great Trappist and abbey beers, such as Rochefort, Westmalle, Orval and Tripel Karmeliet.

But I'm still not being able to rate them. I just pick the one I would like to taste again. Much rather an issue of what you want and think at the time.

[colt45allstar]

Westy 12 is great stuff.

Only had it once around six years ago. Tried it alongside The St. Bernardus 12 and The Rochefort 10 (two beers I've had numerous times since.. drinking a Rochefort 10 right now in fact)

As much as I enjoyed The Westy, The Rochefort 10 was my favorite.

Rated them at the time in order

Rochefort

Westvleteren

St. Bernardus

Would love to try a Westy 12 again, to see if my opinion has changed.

[helpdonate1]

fuck that european sissy shit!!

I drink Bud, now thats a beer!!!!

[sharkboy85]

@helpdonate1 That european sissy shit is stronger than 2 buds put together.

[helpdonate1]

@sharkboy85 Bud is a mans beer. Why do Euros pour their beer into wine glasses? Beer that has faint hints of berries?? the beers over there really reflect the people.

Both are just plain wimps lol

[colt45allstar]

@helpdonate1

Those that actually know beer here in America would drink those "wimpy" Euro beers over horse piss like a Bud anyday.

To compare a Belgian trappist ale to bud is akin to comparing a Ferrari to a Pinto

Truth be told I would rather drink a well made American Double IPA over anything, so Americans can make great beer.

Bud/Miller/Coors simply put however is not great beer.. hell it's not even good beer and anyone who actually knows a thing or two about beer would say as much.

[MasterBombadillo]

@helpdonate1 Without European beers, Bud wouldn't exist. Czechs were the first ones to produce that type of beer. Also, there are lots of European pilsners that are a lot better than Bud, and not poured into the so called "wineglasses".

That brings me to another point. These glasses aren't wineglasses. If you think so, I would recommend a lesson about it. Beers like Westvleteren are first of all much tastier than pilsners and have a much higher amount of alcohol in it (who's the sissy now).

[helpdonate1]

@MasterBombadillo like a said, Bud is a mans beer! It even says "KING OF BEERS"

Euros are sissies!!!!

[MasterBombadillo]

@helpdonate1 Yeah, from this day on, I declare myself king of the USA (yes, I know they don't have a king), and that's more realistic than what you're saying now, or what Anheuser-Busch Inbev declares. Also, do you know your beloved beer is brewed under the leadership of a Belgian (and so European) company?

And you're completely ignoring my arguments. Without Europeans, no Bud (and no US either).

[helpdonate1]

@MasterBombadillo What a weak argument.

"Without Europeans, no Bud(and no US either)" where did that come from?? lol

Like I said boy, BUD LIGHT!!! KING OF BEEEEERRRRRRSSSS hahahahaahaha

[MasterBombadillo]

@helpdonate1 I'm using better arguments than you. History has learned us that US never would've existed without Europeans, and also that Bud wouldn't exist without European pilsners. No argument I give is as weak as your "king of beers". Believing in self-proclaimed titles is just stupid. And light? In Europe, light beers are considered to be for sissies. Also, many American beer specialists agree on the fact Bud Light is one of the worst beers ever.

[helpdonate1]

@MasterBombadillo im just messin with you guys lol Bud gives me a headache plus we all know its just carbonated piss.

[MasterBombadillo]

@helpdonate1 And I fell for it? Rofl xD

[raydesut]

Great video that raises all the important questions. What does a title "best beer in the world" really mean? Does the psychology of the title affect our appreciation of the experience? I can only say that for me, the initial experience was a let-down and yes, I too find it over carbonated. I preferred the Rocheford 10 for a time, which is much easier to get. But I kept going back to the Westy 12 and it grew on me so now it is all I drink. Just ordered another 3 cases today and had to gloat.

[triumph01ita]

really the best beer in the world

[FonzyODB]

I drink them weekly !! the best ! ;)

[Ferrymartyr]

i actually think that it's exclusivity is it's main reason of staying at the top

[petruscephas]

I tried one bottle of Westvletern 12 a year ago and found it to be almost undrinkable.

It tasted like molasses mixed with sugar and grain alcohol - super sweet, super thick and highly alcoholic.

It was literally painful for to to finish, but since it was a gift from a friend who brought it back from Belgium I felt obliged.

Yechh!

Not good and never again. I saved the bottle to prove that I actually drank it.

[1is1]

@petruscephas ..

well enjoy your Pale Lagers and leave the real beer to awesome people.. fuckin shevchenko bitch..

[petruscephas]

@1is1,

Yeah, well you're a real charmer, aren't you?

I'm sure all of your friends think you're awesome.....not.

[sipharo]

Tripel Karmeliet is now the best beer in the world.

[clayto1332]

I want

[kareljuwet]

Now learn how to pour your beer in the right way!

You should have a foam layer on top of about 2 fingerwidths thick.

It's not guiness!!!

And you've made about the biggest mistake you could make, by letting it stand for so long. The beer SHOULD have this 'fizzyness' in it!

In Belgium, that's general knowledge, even under 16 year olds, like me :)

[Djapasqero]

putain le mec ils s'est habillé et tout... rien que pour goûter une trappiste!!!

Ils font chier avec leurs histoires de "meilleure bière du monde", on avait la paix avant il y avait moins de gens qui allaient à l'abbaye...

Laissez nos petits moines en paix et buvez vos propres bières, elles sont très bonnes!!

[lullemans72]

hi congratulations on having been able to get hold of a westvleteren. even though im from belgium i havent been able to get hold of one yet.

just out of curiosity, your profile says you're from kent. isn't that where that famous leather jacket shop is located that made the indiana jones jackets?

[Chad9976]

you should enable revenue sharing for this video. I really want to try this beer someday, but it's too expensive.

Is there anything comparable to this on the mainstream market? Chimay Blue?

I don't believe that beer can be "best" or "better" since it's all based on opinion. Even "higher quality" ingredients is still a subjective term. It's just a matter of personal taste.

[LemmonCows]

@Chad9976 The St Bernardus 12 might be cheaper and is supposed to be really good as well (I think it's even based on the original Westvleteren recipe). You might want to try a Rochefort 10 and a Trappist Westmalle. I live in Belgium and I really like those beers. I haven't tried the Westvleteren 12 myself, but so far Rochefort 10 is my favorite beer.

[TakeSomeAdvice]

Honestly looks like homebrew..

[FixedGear]

Great approach to evaluating such a highly touted beer. Nice work.

[meuliedoka]

while drinking a westmalle tripel here, youre review is spot on!

All I know is That one off the most rare beers in the world is brewed by monks to maintain their abbey and they are not whilling to gain a penny. So it whil be a rarity forever!

[humanlikekid]

Westvletern isn't better as Westmalle, an other Belgian trappist ,but you can't get as easy as Westmalle, thats why it's considered better.

[pwoody1982]

So do you feel you were able to evaluate this beer without bias? I Ordered 12, 8 and blonde from belgian shop and I feel no matter how hard I try to be open minded, it will always be in the back of my head

[roaringwaterbay]

can you buy this brand in the U.S.?

[bernardgoossens]

@roaringwaterbay in belgium 10 euro for 1 barge in usa 50 euro for 2 bottles ! haha !

[SouthMiamiHeights]

Great video, brother. I just got my bottle today for my birthday, wifey ordered it for me! Can't wait to open it, but I do appreciate your exploration of the psychology of it. I've always been curious about the supposed mythicism behind some of the "best beers" in the world. I've had a bottle of Sam Adams Triple Bock for a few years now, 22.5& ABV. Havn't decided when to open that one, but will definitely be trying my new Trappist soon. Thanks again for a great video!

[markdredge]

Great that you've got a bottle. Go in as open minded as possible! For me, what makes it a great beer (above and beyond the flavour) is the way it makes you think when you drink and how it makes you talk about beer when you drink this. For that reason alone it's a great beer. Open it and share it. Let me know how you get on!

I managed to try a Triple Bock a few months ago. That beer is INTENSE. Massive flavour. If you like roasty, malty, savoury flavour then it rocks.

[SouthMiamiHeights]

@markdredge funny you've just replied to my comment from two years ago. No worries, whatsoever, friend, seriously. I still have that bottle, in a fridge in my garage turned way up to prevent chilling. I've probably got a good reason to celebrate coming shortly, this may be the time to finally try that beer =) Thanks again for replying.

[nextracer]

Its just a great , super beer, enjoy it. I live 20 miles from the abbey, they are not commercial, you can only buy it at the abbey, 12 bottles at a time, they dont sell it in supermarkets, even in Belgium (Beer country) lol and the proceeds of the sale just goes to preserving the abbey and charity, cheers, Peter . I must admit its a very nice beer, i am not being chauvenistic

[Chad9976]

I just placed a bid on two bottles of this on ebay for $50. Hope I win!

If I do, I'll have to get some beer geeks together to do a review of it with me. We'll wear suits and dedicate the video to you!

[markdredge]

Nice one Chad! I hope you win. I opened another bottle of 12 over Christmas. Love to see what you think of it!

[Chad9976]

@markdredge How did you acquire your bottles?

How come you stopped doing video beer reviews!? Bring 'em back!!

[markdredge]

I got mine from ebay. Lazy seeing as the brewery is only a few hours away. I'll go there properly soon.

I'll bring the videos back soon, don't worry. I moved flat, started a new job and everything's been crazy. The blog is still going strong though.

I'll be in San Francisco and Santa Rosa in February (for San Fran beer week). I can't wait to drink some amazing US beers!

[yuichituba]

@markdredge Oh you were here this month!? Great. I'm guessing you were able to get some Pliny the Younger then?

[bernardgoossens]

@Chad9976 I live in belgium, can have one barge for 10 Euro ! haha !

[Chad9976]

what's a barge?

[michiel20]

@Chad9976

so much? I think I'm gonna stand in line for a case then (it's only westvleteren is only 27 kilometres from my house....), drink half of it sell the other half

[Chad9976]

@michiel20 don't sell it, trade it for other great beers! :D

[MasterBombadillo]

@Chad9976 I think he can get great beers for cheap prices. You can get enormous prices for Westvleteren on the internet. Here you can buy a crate of other Belgian beers with the money you get from one bottle (probably even more). So why would you trade it for other beers?

[charvelgtrs]

I feel that St. Bernardus Abt 12 and Westvleteren 12 are a bit smoother than Rochefort 10, but they are all equally good in my opinion.

[bfitzpat22]

Where did you get this beer?

[cuallito]

You are such a beer snob! I love it!

[Machinegunhalligan]

Here I am sitting here with my shitty corona wishing I had some proper Trappist stuff. Sigh!

[KingScuzzo]

I feel sorry for the guys who get a bad bottle. Of course his prior knowledge influences him.

[KingScuzzo]

This is ridiculous. How can a beer always be "the best beer in the world." There are 1000 of new beers brewed every day. This does look like a good beer though.

[brandonwhite5493]

Great vid.

I think that people considering buying and trying this beer go down a similar road mentally, and it was nice to see you walk through it and taste it.

[hector2282]

Anyone disputing this beer's legendary title of # 1...knows nothing about beer....

This is hands down the best beer in the world...

The only thing close to it might be Trappistes Rochefort 10.

[Runesocesius]

@hector2282 Theres no #1 beer. There might be a consensus on it being an excellent beer (it is) but saying its the undisputed #1 beer is ridiculous. I can't see how anyone who loves beer could say that.

And i do know about beer, brew it and have had family members work at big breweries.

[crook450]

Maudite beer is the best :)

[downsidefx]

have you had a st bernardus abt 12? how would you compare the 2?

[markdredge]

Sorry for the delayed response, my bad!

I have had the st bernardus but that was before the Westvleteren and to be honest I don't remember it all that well. I plan to do a side-by-side tasting very soon though. I would say there are similarities but wothout having them close together it's hard to tell!

[Chad9976]

I thought Carlsberg was "probably the best beer in the world"? LOL

I've never heard of this one, but it's a Belgian Trappist Quad so I'm sure it's good. Probably really expensive too.

[markdredge]

Not actually that expensive if you buy it from the monestry - 24 bottles for 36Euros! You just have to get to Belgium first! The beer is top of both Beer Advocate's and Rate Beer's 'Best Beer in the World' lists.

And I can confirm that this is definitely BETTER than Carlsberg :)

[sebken23]

dont compare it with carlsberg or heineken :P its completly different! you dont drink this everyday. this is pure enjoying like all belgian trappists. also carlsberg is as bad as heineken you should try a belgian pils like primus its 10 times better nobody and again nobody can brew beer as belgians! that hype with czech beer is over soon. and for germans and americans all youre beer is piss only the ones taken over by belgians are good. perfect example is budweiser

[slm6025]

nice review. fresh clothes. want this beer so bad. love belgians. i will make a point to have this on tap and review it in amsterdam the summer.

[markdredge]

I don't think they do it on tap! I may be wrong though. You might be able to find a bottle somewhere but it's difficult to come by. Definitely worth trying if you can get it!

[slm6025]

bummer. i will deff pick up a bottle though. no matter how much it costs

[mlaudio72]

Great video, I'm a beer enthusiast, and a coffee enthusiast as well. Same thing in the specialty coffee industry. A couple are considered the "best in the world," but rarity is a huge factor.

[markdredge]

Interesting comment, have you had any of the best coffees? And do you enjoy coffee beers? I really want to try Beer Geek Brunch Weasel which is made from Civet coffee! Rare beer + rare coffee... :)

[mlaudio72]

Yes, I've had a couple best coffees. One is 100% Blue Mountain from Jamaica. Always considered one of the best. Huge in demand, rare in supply, fetches a high price always. And it is very good. I did just get some unroasted Kopi Luwak. (passed through a Civet) We'll be roasting that up soon. I've had only one Coffee Stout before. I thought is was interesting, and quite good. Thanks for the great videos!

[markdredge]

Hi Jhorus20, I got the info about the beer from Roger Protz's 300 Beers... I was really interesde that it's only brewed with pale malt. I do enjoy the trappist beers, I've put a few away now to do a line comparison in about a year between the Rochefort, Westy, St. Bernie, Chimay Blue, etc. That will be really interesting to see which comes out on top!

[helmineron]

If it was lively you would have blown it, lol, and i've done that before. I've never seen this one however I've been looking for it.

[jjrudy41]

i have heard this is the best beer in the world, but i can't get my hands on it... how much was it if i can ask??? thanks for reviewing. be sure to check out my new website when you get a chance...

[markdredge]

It was expensive (£10 a bottle if you factor in postage, etc), especially when you can buy a case of 24 bottles for 36 euros. If you can find it then try it, it's one of those beers that every beer lover should try

[Depnick]

Excellent video. There's a lot of mystique around westvleteren ( not having tried it myself), that you just hope it's not a monumental let down.

I think my favourite belgium beer at the moment,and there isn't that many of them, is rochefort 10

Cheers, and keep posting :)

[markdredge]

It certainly isn't a let down, but I wanted more from it.

The Rochefort 10 is a brilliant beer, that's possibly my fave Belgian beer too. I wonder if the Westvleteren would score so highly if it wasn't so rare (i.e. you could find it next to Rochfort 10 or St Bernardus 12 in beer shops)?