ChiefsPlanet - Food and Drink 50 Beers to Try Before You Die

Sorry, but Westy 12 is overrated. I've done blind tastings and found that I prefer the cheaper, more readily available St. Bernardus 12 to Westy.

Don't get me wrong, Westy is worth a try for certain, but you won't find me spending $80+ for 4 12 oz bottles and a cheap glass (which is how they sold them in the US last year).

Did you try it domestically? I've heard there is quite a difference from what you would get should you be fortunate enough to be near the Abbey vs the bricks they sent over here.

phisherman

01-23-2014 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taterhog (Post 10388951)

Did you try it domestically? I've heard there is quite a difference from what you would get should you be fortunate enough to be near the Abbey vs the bricks they sent over here.

I've had the Belgian bottles several times and the "Americanized" version only once. I have never noticed an appreciable difference between the two, even when having them side by side.

Reaper16

01-23-2014 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taterhog (Post 10388951)

Did you try it domestically? I've heard there is quite a difference from what you would get should you be fortunate enough to be near the Abbey vs the bricks they sent over here.

There's no difference. I've had Westy 12 from the "bricks" that were sent over to the U.S. last year, and I've had Westy 12 at Abbey de Saint-Sixtus.

taterhog

01-23-2014 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16 (Post 10389271)

There's no difference. I've had Westy 12 from the "bricks" that were sent over to the U.S. last year, and I've had Westy 12 at Abbey de Saint-Sixtus.

I've never had it, but also didn't feel like shelling out cash for the brick when it came out. I've only had Trappist style beer, and would take a good porter over it any day.

In any case, I think I'd still like to try it, but I would definitely prefer it to be over there vs here.

phisherman

01-23-2014 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taterhog (Post 10389339)

Find your local craft beer club or homebrewer's group and see if they do tastings. That's how I've had all of the Westy 12 that I've tried.

Phobia

01-23-2014 03:37 PM

You guys are talking way over my head now. I'll pay $15 for a high end 750 I know I love but that's about where I draw the line. If something is worth $80 a 4-pack, I'll never find out unless one is handed to me. Strange how my attitude has changed over the years. I used to throw around Benjies like they were nothing at all.

Fire Me Boy!

01-23-2014 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 10389561)

Pretty much this, except I did pay $24/bottle for the vintage Rodenbach. And it was damn tasty.

phisherman

01-23-2014 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia (Post 10389561)

The reason for that price was that Westy 12 isn't sold outside of the monastery typically and when the 4 pack bricks were released last year, it was to raise money for the monastery. No releases here in the US before or after.

The only way to get that beer typically is to get it when you're in Belgium or have someone ship it to you from there. The mark up on it was unreal when Shelton Brothers importers brought it over for retail sale.

Marcellus

01-23-2014 06:06 PM

This year's batch just hit JoMo. If you like Imperial Stouts this is awesome.

http://i541.photobucket.com/albums/g...ps8e060c27.jpg

Quote:

You're in for a treat with this one. Brewed with cocoa nibs and raisins and then lovingly aged in rum, sherry, bourbon, brandy and whiskey barrels, this big beer takes on flavors from the spirit and wood of each barrel. The end result is a complex and elegant companioin that's right for carefree nights of privilege and excess.

http://www.mothersbrewing.com/craft-...ur-beers/milf/

phisherman

01-23-2014 06:18 PM

Mad props to that stuff, MILF is really good.

Reaper16

01-23-2014 06:23 PM

Someone mail me some MILF.

Fire Me Boy!

01-23-2014 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16 (Post 10389925)

Someone mail me some MILF.