The monks and their divine elíxir
There was a time when the beer made by the Transmissions monks of the Abbey of Saint Sixtus in Belgium was considered the creme of the creme among the beers of the world. Known for its complexity and its heavenly touch, the Westvletan 12 has been the undisputed queen in multiple beer classifications. But how has this panorama changed?
From kings to plebe beer: the fall of an icon
The times have changed and, although it is still estimated that Westvletan 12 occupies a prestigious second place in Ratebeer, its position has faltered in Beradvocate, where it has fallen to the number 18. What is it due to? With more renowned North American breweries, such as Tree House and The Alchemist in ascent, the competition has intensified.
The secrets behind the ranking
The issue persists: is this loss of position the result of other emerging quality standards or a different appreciation by consumers? The solution can reside on a trip to Belgium, where the beer magic is found in every corner, but, of course, getting a bottle of this jewel is not an easy task.
Aging: the art of patience and temperature
During a recent tasting, we decided to challenge the destination by buying four versions of the famous Quadrupel Trapense: two of seven years, one of five and one fresh. It turns out that storage conditions have a more significant impact than could be imagined. Not all heroes carry a layer; Sometimes, they are simply stored in a cold winery.
Sabor Guardian: The storage difference
The bottles stored at room temperature showed clear oxidation signs, while the fresh, although promising, failed to dazzle. The judges agreed that the 2010 and 2012 versions stored cold were the most prominent, demonstrating that sometimes good taste reaches those who know how to wait.
The mysticism surrounding Westvleteren 12
Despite the difficulty of obtaining a bottle of these, it cannot be ignored that Westvletan 12 remains, in many ways, a symbol. However, after trying several versions, an even more interesting question arose: is the fame of this beer only the result of its mysticism and the era of reviews?
Tastings and comparisons
When evaluating the different years, everything seems to lean towards a mirror of society. Are we buying a story more than a beer? Compared to other trains beers such as St. Bernardus abt 12, the difference becomes subtle. Maybe it’s time to expand our circle of friends beers.
Final notes of an adventurous tasting
From Honey and Jerez to touches of cardboard or vanilla, each version of Westvletere left us questions and learning. Each sip represents a story, a time and a space; But perhaps, in the end, what really matters is to enjoy the beer trip and the emotions that each drink can offer.
