I'll be drinking a Westvleteren 12 today!!!!!!

[Taverner]

WOO HOO!!!

It came last night, and I opened the package and there it stood: Westvleteren 12 Belgian Strong Ale.

Westvleteren is a Monastery who brews beers in Belgium. Much like Chimay, St Bernardus, Achel and Orval

HOWEVER it is damn near impossible to get these beers. Go on eBay and they run around $30 for 1 12 oz bottle

Westvleteren only sells their beer on the premises, and does not distribute except to their cafe in the monastery. They only brew to pay for the monastery, so they have no dreams of hitting it "big" even though they could

So Christmas comes a little early and I get my bottle:

(this isn't it, but what it looks like)

[arbusto_baboso]

1. Okay, I am offically jealous.

I also still owe you a bottle of impy stout.

Sorry about that. Been a little busy and forgetful of late. Also took awhile to find a good source of mailing tubes. You'll get it soon.

Oh, not to be a beer nzai or anything, but St. Bernardus no longer brews its own stuff. They contract out.

The only active monastic breweries are Chimay, Orval, Westmalle, Achel, Westvleteren, Rochefort and La Trappe (de Schaapskooi).

[Taverner]

2. Really? It's still pretty good though!

[arbusto_baboso]

3. It's true. And yes I still enjoy St. Bernardus very much myself.

There are a lot pf "abbey style" beers which have nothing to do with monasteries that are still damned yummy.

Speaking of which, have you ever tried anything from the San Diego area brewer, Lost Abbey?

Mrs. Arbusto and I were in San Diego in October and dropped by the tasting room. OMG! Not a thing there that wasn't completely delicious!

[Taverner]

5. Yes - I LOVE Lost Abbey

Although their sours for some reason make me hurl. Not from taste, but I think I'm allergic to their strain of lactobillius.

I like their Wit too - Witches Wit

One of the best straight up dry wits around!

[arbusto_baboso]

6. You ever had any Cuvee de Tomme?

We go a couple bottles when we were there and have been parceling them out for special occasions. As singular and amazing as your Westvleteren is likely to be.

[Taverner]

7. I want to try it

There's a bottle at my go-to beer store, but it's $30 (even though it is a 750ml)

[arbusto_baboso]

8. Don't cheap out. It's worth every penny.

Trust me on that. And it's not any cheaper direct from the brewer.

[Taverner]

9. Yes but I get to thinking "How many Orvals could I buy with that $30?"

[arbusto_baboso]

10. Oh, I hear you. But it's one of those unique experiences.

It's kinda like seeing the Grand Canyon. Sure, it costs to get there, and you gotta wade thru a bunch of shit with the tourists and all. But once you've been there, you see what the fuss was all about.

[Taverner]

11. Okayyyy - actually I think I'll make it my Christmas beer

[Initech]

4. Ooh man I really want to go back to Belgium now. Belgian ales FTW!

:toast:

[Taverner]

12. POP! Pour....sip sip sip sip sip x100....AHHHHHHH!

That was a nice beer!