Best Beer in the World?

I like beer. A lot. Actually I often find it more suitable with food than wine. The trend in the beer world, to go micro-brewing, has resulted in so many eye-openers, making me realize that I need to post more on beer as well. Here’s to one of the best, number 12!

“We are not brewers. We are monks. We brew beer to be able to afford being monks.”

The Father abbot’s words epitomizes what the brewery at the abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren is all about. Three kinds of beers are produced, all exclusively sold at the abbey store after one has made a reservation by phone. You’re only allowed to by a limited number of bottles and can’t call back for a new order before 60 days has passed. No anonymous telephone numbers are accepted. And don’t expect anyone to be answering when you call. Finally, Westvleteren Trappist is sold only to individual customers and you have to agree not to re-sell the beer.

I know what you’re thinking. These guys have for sure done their homework on how to build a brand. After all, create a hype by reducing the availability, put up some odd rules and voilà; there you have it. There are just two buts…

Firstly; the annual production is 60,000 cases and has so been since more than sixty years. Secondly, and most important, the beer is simply amazing!

Those who know their beer rate the Westvleteren 12 as one of the best. It is not uncommon to find it described with the epithet ‘Best beer in the world’ when reading about the 12. If such a beer exists, that can be considered the best of them all, we all know is impossible to answer. People like to categorize, as if to feel more secure, but taste is individual.

Still, that hardly reduced my curiosity and finally I was, thanks to a most generous soul, given the chance to taste the Westvleteren 12.

Allowed to breathe first and raise a bit in temperature, it already smells amazing. Such complexity with dried fruits (apricots and figs, caramel, soy sauce, mushrooms, sweet-root, vanilla and a touch of ground coffee. Malty and slightly herbal. On the nose it’s like a wine simply. A great and complex one.

Tasting. Holy schmoly (sorry monks)! Acidity, barly sweetness, intensity and a long finish that just refuses to give up. I love the sweetness which I guess some might have some difficulty with. But it’s so well-balanced and the spicy, almost oriental feel and the vanilla and coffee notes, adds even more depth. The sweet-root is there as well, accompanied by undervegetation, pipe tobacco and moist leather. The alcohol content says 10.2 per cent and I just wonder where it’s hiding. Never an alcohol feel to it. Yes, it’s the best beer I’ve tasted and I want more!

Want to taste it? Call the monks at +32 (0)70 21 00 45.

The Virtuoso says: