St. Bernardus

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:23 pm

I've had a number of comments from people who have now had a chance to try the St. Bernardus beers. As you may know, quite a few places around town have the Abt12 and Tripel. Smokeless also has the Pater 6, Prior 8, Watou Tripel, Grottenbier and, next week, will have their Witbier. I'm wondering what people thing of the Tripel as I am intrigued by the fact that is rated higher than Westmalle on beeradvocate. I am a huge Westmalle fan and, frankly, have yet to try the St. Bernardus (it's been about 10 years since I had one).

Also, what about the Abt 12, Westy comparisons from any of you that have had the privilege of consuming a Westy? I've only had one comment on the Abt12 and that person didn't thing it measured up to the Westy but he hadn't had a Westy for about a year and he was pretty sure the bottle he had was aged at least a few years and the Abt12 we have here is pretty fresh. Nonetheless, he thought the Abt12 was superb.

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 4:50 pm

Can't wait to try both of these. Please see my PM.

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 6:39 pm

"Smokeless also has the Pater 6, Prior 8, Watou Tripel, Grottenbier and, next week, will have their Witbier."

none of these were at Smokeless when I was there this week. While Joe was not available, Noone knew if they were coming in.

DougShoemaker · Post by **DougShoemaker** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 10:16 pm

All of the anticipated beers save the witbier were at Smokeless Joe this evening. A very pleasurable group of beers if ever there was one!

Happy Hunting, Cheers, Doug

JerCraigs · Post by **JerCraigs** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 11:25 am

Tupalev was nice enough to share some of the St. Bernardus Tripel with me. Very nice beer. Can't wait to try some of the others.

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 12:50 pm

Thanks Doug for the headsup! Now to only find a day to be downtown late in the day.

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 5:34 pm

Just browsing beeradvocate today looking for some info and I was surprised that when I looked up the top rated Witbiers, St. Bernardus (coming to Joe's next week) was #2...#1 was from a U.S. brewpub and only available on draft. St. Bernardus beat out the likes of Hoegaarden, Blanche de Chambly and Blanches de Bruges. In almost every category, St. Bernardus is at or near the top...it is the #1 rated Tripel beating out Westmalle, #2 rated Dubbel (their Prior 8 and Pater 6 are both tied for second place after Westvleteren and before Westmalle) and their Abt 12 is rated #3 overall Quadrupel after Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10. Based upon the beeradvocate ratings alone, there's a good argument for saying that this is the best all-round brewery in Belgium save for Westvleteren. Our order of Abt 12 was oversubcribed but we do have a few cases of Tripel left for any takers. We'll probably follow up fairly quikcly with another order of Abt 12.

tupalev · Post by **tupalev** » Mon Jan 17, 2005 3:17 pm

I've really enjoyed my three experiences with St. Bernardus this weekend - the 12 and Tripel were fantastic, and the 8, while maybe just a notch below, was very good as well (keeping in mind they were all 3 distinctly different beers). I'm looking forward to trying the others. For anyone not wanting a whole case of the Tripel, I have a case, so I would be glad to trade or make other arrangements if you would like a bottle or two. Just personal message me. Thanks.

Jeff