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Trappist Westvleteren 12

Brouwerij Westvleteren
Belgium·Ale
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Known as the Flemish Burgundy, this dark amber Trappist pours with a stable, strongly lacing white head. Sweet raisin and nutty notes in the aroma lead into caramel and chocolate, and at 10.2 % the full body ends in a long, warm aftertaste. Brewed with candy syrup and sugar, unfiltered and refermented in the bottle, it keeps developing as it ages.

ABV
10.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Roasted bitterness
PaceSipper
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
chocolatenuttycaramel
chocolate
nutty
caramel
dark fruit
malty
Aroma
The nose opens with sweet raisin and dried stone fruit, underpinned by toasted nut and hazelnut notes.
not found:hoppy,roasted,fruity,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Trappist Westvleteren 12

◎ Appearance

Deep amber to dark brown in the glass, with excellent clarity despite being unfiltered and bottle-refermented. A stable, dense white head forms on the pour and maintains fine Schaumkleiden (lacing) down the sides of the glass, indicating a well-integrated malt structure and careful carbonation.

deep amber-brownstable white headfine lacingunfiltered clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with sweet raisin and dried stone fruit, underpinned by toasted nut and hazelnut notes. Secondary layers of caramel malt and dark chocolate emerge, with subtle suggestions of spice and the warming alcohol at 10.2% present but not aggressive. The aroma suggests careful use of candy syrup and adjuncts in the brew.

raisin, dark fruittoasted nutscaramel, chocolatewarming alcohol

◐ Taste

The palate is full-bodied and smooth, entering with caramel sweetness and nutty undertones that persist through the mid-palate. Chocolate and dark malt flavors develop gradually, while the candy-derived fermentable sugars create a silky mouthfeel. Bitterness is restrained at 30 IBU, allowing the malt character and subtle fruit esters to dominate.

full-bodied, smoothcaramel, dark chocolatesweet maltinesslow bitterness

◑ Finish

A long, warming aftertaste unfolds, with lingering chocolate and raisin notes complemented by gentle alcohol warmth. The finish invites contemplation and reflection rather than immediate refreshment, revealing additional complexity as it develops in the glass and with age.

long, warm aftertasteevolving complexity
92
hopIQ score
Aroma
90
Taste
93
Appearance
90
Finish
92
Serve at 6–8°C

Cold enough to sharpen the hop aroma without numbing the palate. Around 7–9°C keeps the citrus and pine vivid without losing bitterness definition.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

Drink fresh — hop aroma fades fast. Best within 3 months of canning or bottling.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Trappist Westvleteren 12

More from Brouwerij Westvleteren

Trappist Westvleteren 8
Trappist Westvleteren Blond

About Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Ale?

India Pale Ales are hop-forward ales with ABV typically 5.5–7.5% and IBU 40–70+. Bold citrus, pine or tropical aromas alongside firm bitterness and a clean dry finish.

Finding a similar Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same full-bodied, chocolate, nutty character as Trappist Westvleteren 12 will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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