Westvleteren (a beer geek's guide to Trappist Beer ep 4)

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Come on then folks. Is Westy XII the best beer in the world? And if not, is it even the best beer Westvleteren make?!

[@Jaap-Relou]

Not the best of all beer styles. Not my favorite in that specific style, st bernardus abt 12 is. But none the less it’s a beautiful beer. Still aging mine 🤗

[@tortap]

​​@@Jaap-Relousorry. Rochefort 10 is the best. I have conducted extensive studies in the last few months on the subject. But I do love the st bernardus trippel and prior 8

[@Jaap-Relou]

@@tortap rochfort 10 absolutely completes my top 3 🍻

[@RobCanada]

St Bernardus Trippel ticks all my boxes, however my local bottle shop / micro put in Rochester has a whole shelf devoted to Rochefort 10, should I try them? @Jonny and the Brad come on down and I'll fund and evening educating me (serious offer)..

[@Jaap-Relou]

@@RobCanada you definitely should! You won’t regret it 🍻🤟🏼

[@kaveendravasuthevan7838]

I think what the world needs to see, is how Jonny will rank these beers in a blind taste test within their respective styles next to the likes of La Chouffe, Kasteel and even some personal favourites like De Dolle. Great video as always lads! Always a fan of the videos with history in it, and appreciate the preparation put into digging up the stories that come with these beers!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I will put my body on the line once again for science.

[@kaveendravasuthevan7838]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel since most of these are Trappist beers, think of it as drinking blessings from God. Holy water if you will 😂

[@sp00ky_guy]

@kaveendravasuthevan7838 bad for the body, good for the soul...

[@mrougelot]

“Supervisor monk reacts to beer geek blind tasting Trappist beers”. Abbots, if you want social media engagement to match your spiritual engagement, give me a call.

[@kaveendravasuthevan7838]

@@mrougelot now this HAS to be arranged. Just cold awkward cuts away from Jonny to the disapproving faces of the monks 😂

[@royalbritishlegionbrussels]

I cycled there. On the way back to the station, fell off the bike after attempting a shortcut through a field. Recommend trying all three beers

[@igmu-dn6ri]

Oi! You cheeky blokes. When I was there in December it didn't feel like a pensioners' cafe to me - and I'm 68. I'd had the blond before and didn't think much of it, but in there it was just beautiful. I kept my cases of the 12 until I got back home, and watching you has made me thirsty. So it's a Westy 12 or two this evening. Cheers! and keep up the good work. 🍻

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Perhaps you were there at the weekend? I've been four times, and the average age is always high. But we were exaggerating a little for comic effect....

[@nesster333]

"Thank God we're out of that," with the facial expression at 21:38 caused me to choke on my tea and the subsequent coughing created a bit on concern amongst my coworkers 😂😂 Thanks for a much needed laugh and another fantastic video!

[@Kaesekuchen002]

I love that we have pretty much the same opinion on Westy 12. I could indeed purchase it any day here in the Netherlands for a stupidly high price. Or I could go to the local supermarket and buy a St. Bernadus Abt 12 for 2€ and have an even better beer. Great video!

[@onyva3256]

Great video - love these in depth features. By complete coincidence I sat down with a Westie 8 after work to flick through KZbin and this had dropped! Yes, Westvleteren 12 is the best beer in the world. Now the abbey has upgraded its website and buying online is relatively easy there’s no excuse for not picking up a couple of cases if ever passing through Belgium.

[@oneminutebeerreviews6628]

I was in the cafe last March with my wife, had amazing lunch of cheese and pate and had four 12's amazing place. We were staying in the St Bernardus B&B and walked to St Sixtus and had arranged a lift back with the 6 packs i also picked up. Over 3700 on ratebeer now

[@BrewabitRick]

I have those three beers in my dark cold cupboard, given to me by my m8 whose Dad traveled to get them. Now I got them before lockdown with a view to do a vid with 2 of my friends. Still a plan but it’s definitely not going to be as good as this one. Epic history absolutely fantastic nice work cheers 👍🍻

[@vikramjitsingh4538]

another lovely video touring the epitome of belgian beer, Westvleteren............this belgian series is very exciting..........thanks Jonny and Brad..........I loved the St Bernardus one earlier............cheer fellas.....

[@rbrwr]

I had a Belgian friend who managed to get a few bottles, maybe ten years ago now, and I don't know if the 12 is the best in the world but it's as good a beer as I've ever tried.

[@VloggingBastendo]

Great video again. I was there last summer and got 2 crates with the blond ones. 8 wasn't available anymore. But bought a 6pack of West Vleteren at the gift shop. We had some beers at the cafe. The downside it was raining cats and dogs as you say over there (right?). It was a nice trip even though it's easier to buy them in the Netherlands.

[@byrnez2755]

Thank you very much for doing this video. I knew bits and pieces of the Westvleteren/Westmalle/St. Bernardus story but didn't have the dates and timelines figured out. Cheers!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Haha it's one of the more complicated histories, that's for sure!

[@Jango1989]

Brilliant video! I love Belgium beer and this series does great justice to them 🍻

[@mrparsnip1257]

Goes without saying but yet another amazing video chaps. Like the Westie your videos get better with age (and experience). Lucky to have sampled all 3. The 8 got the top marks from me.

[@Jannes-pj4cd]

Cool! I’ve been last week to Westvleteren to pick up a crate of XII and I also went to St Bernardus to the shop, I sadly couldn’t do the brewery tour or visit the rooftop bar as they both were closed that day. I’ll have to go back in the future. It was a very special trip

[@jontymo]

A fantastic beer, bought 24 of the 12 from the cafe in 2021, got 14 left to age which is hard work lol.

[@iantasker3934]

Johny and Brad the Batman and Robin duo of the beer world have done it again ... After a great comedy night at the Verdant tap room, I get to savour the best beer style in the world... Belgian.... However as a keen brewer 40 ish brews and having read Brew like a monk, I brewed a 11% quad thAt was second only to St Barnabus Abt 12 in my personal taste test. The St Barnabus video was the best ever.... Great work guys..

[@markfinlay422]

The double is the best trappist beer IMHO. And I will get some along with the blonde in August! Yay for me.

[@paulsharratt9829]

Did you go to the Trappist beer market in June at La Trappe, Koningshoeven. I was working on the Tynt Meadow stall. It was an incredible weekend. On the final evening we had a tasting of the Westvleteren beers, great way to celebrate a successful event.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I didn't even know this was a thing! Sounds amazing!

[@glutenfreebrewing]

Outstanding men that's why your number 1 on Brewtube!

[@KotteBoks]

Totally agree, the 8 is where it's at 👍🏻.

[@kevinpayne3482]

Great vid guys, I’m watching as I enjoy a real nice cream ale from Bolton landing brewery from Bolton landing, n.y., they use “the best floor-malted English lager malt. Not sure if realized this but American craft brewers use a lot of British/English malt and hops. You may need to cross the pond to investigate. Cheers!👍🏻🍻

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Oh we are well aware! We see our friends Simpsons, Crisp, Muntons, Fawcett and Warminster all over the USA!

[@vsznry]

That Craft Beer glass is awesome! Where can we get it?

[@mrougelot]

Bring me my Blond of burning gold. Bring me my Dubbels of desire. Bring me my 12: O Quads unfold! Bring me my chariot of ice cream.

[@bradevans2793]

A poem as majestic as the beers sir 🙌 you’d be welcome aboard our cbc chariot of ice cream anytime to bestow upon us your beery ballads

[@liambrown911]

Great work gents. Would like to shout out Beautiful Beers and Vespers in Bury St Edmunds who stock a huge amount of Belgian beer who have all three. Vespers also have a variety of Belgian on tap. Usually at least one Trappist too. Bury St Edmunds isn't all Greene King 😂

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Cheeky people selling those beers! They aren't officially exported....

[@spitti3]

I bought a few bottles of Westy 12 from an online beer shop a few years ago, still got one left aging. So you can get them online too, but it's quite expensive.

[@rici_22]

I’m literally brewing a Westy 12 clone at the moment! Great timing guys 😎

[@DavidHarrison-i6y]

FYI: was at In de Vrede last week, and there was no restrictions on the amount you could buy.

[@laurilaitinen9200]

What are the changes! Just yesterday had the 12 and 8 for the first time! 🍻 They were a great experience, but not the best beers in the world. However grateful that had the chance to taste them 🍻🙏

[@viper29ca]

Is the 12 not available outside of the brewery anymore? Buddy of mine was visiting Brussels a few years ago, and the 12 was in more than a few brew shops when he was there. Was lucky to get a tasted on a couple of bottles he schlepped back

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Only illicitly!

[@viper29ca]

@@TheCraftBeerChannelUnless things have changed since he was there (about 5yrs ago) there were a lot of illicit bottle shops with cases of it their stores.

[@HugSeal42]

It's available to purchase with home delivery if you have an address in Belgium :)

[@Adrian.Kirk.]

This week's poetry response.... Anyone who finds a rhyme with Westvleteren deserves a shout out on the Friday pod.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

They'd deserve a shout out every week for the rest of time.

[@AkeGust]

Their once was a monk in Westvleteren Who thought after prayers with his bretheren It's hard for a fellow Between green blue and yellow To decide what beer is the better'un.

[@struanwalker7441]

Has anyone ever tried the elusive red-top westvleteren? Their 4th beer? We discovered that this existed in the beer museum in Brugge opposite De Garre. Unfortunately it's no longer brewed anymore. Legend has it that you can get it at the end of a vertical tasting at the Kulminator Bar in Antwerp... Is there anybody that can help my quest for finding this beer?

[@JustineJacot]

I'd like to see you guys have a comparative tasting of St Bernardus Abt 12 and Westvleteren 12.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

You mean this one?! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6u2kmRqbrqsf7Msi=XkNR8K6I6cP8Pfod

[@JustineJacot]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel Oh you did one! My bad, but in my defense it's an old one haha!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

@@JustineJacot hahaha so old. We are so young in it.

[@JustineJacot]

@@TheCraftBeerChannel You're still young at heart!

[@marcelsteinbach9970]

Do you know a Beer that is comparable with the Westvleteren, but available in Germany?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

St Bernardus 12!

[@danielm0rk]

Is it really not available in Germany? Here in Denmark it's readily available in various craft beer shops

[@MaestroBungle]

I love the blond one. (the other ones to of course) the blond one is the hardest one to buy (the 6 bottles boxes) at In de vrede. From april untill ?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Only brewed twice a year, and mostly kept for the cafe

[@calebmiears5866]

Anyone know how I can get this shipped to me in America?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

It doesn't ship full stop, let alone to America!

[@DavidHarrison-i6y]

8 certainly best Dubbel, and 12 not best Quad. But on the grey market, both cost more than locally sourced Orval, Chimay Blue, Westmalle Tripel, Rochefort 10 and Duvel all together. Game over.

[@koenverhelst2562]

Great video, great series! Totally agree the blonde is underrated because it somehow stands in the shadow of the others. Sidenote in good spirit: it's pronounced Westvlayturrun, not Westflatteren 😅

[@canadianbrewer]

At that time I could buy it locally in Ontario, Canada.

[@danieltaylor3737]

Making amazing beer and excellent cheese. If it wasn't for all the "monkish" responsibilities it sounds like every city hipsters "moving to the country" wet dream :-D. Seriously though, love the beer and as lover of history the history makes it taste better (what's the science behind that kind of psychology by the way???)

[@Hannes_Lind]

Im adding the tax evading monks to the list, after admin monks and security monks. The list grows.

[@Tatterdash71]

I agree that the 8 is the best.

[@Zepp914]

Johnny and Brad need to make it to Engelszell before it closes.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Is it under threat?

[@Zepp914]

​@@TheCraftBeerChannel Multiple articles from March 2023 said there are only 4 monks left and they were closing sometime soon.

[@AndrewLynch9]

Reason they prob use the old church to store wood is because it’s just a building. The actual church is the people and wherever they gather 👌

[@FatherEarth93]

Wait, Westvleteren is available in the Netherlands with the monks' approval? Where? Must be as secret as their recipes!

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Details here: www.belganewsagency.eu/worlds-best-beer-westvleteren-goes-on-sale-in-dutch-liquor-shops

[@spikewalker6690]

Tax evasion? Sounds like the admin monks return!

[@marcelsteinbach9970]

I´m so sad, but i´ve never tasted a Westvleteren Beer in my Life :(

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

If you have some St Bernardus you are 90% of the way!

[@perrygouldthorpe9137]

Just outside of poperinge or pops as it was known during the First World War

[@GH-lq9fg]

Hummm ... Hummm ... Don't tell me you didn't stop at Struise ?

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

Sadly we didn't have time. And they didn't reply to our email anyway

[@MaestroBungle]

strange by the way to compare two young bottles with a bottle that is almost 4 years over date. by that time a lot of the quality is gone.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

We weren't really comparing them - we were trying to offer something different to the millions of reviews of W12 on the internet!

[@DavidHarrison-i6y]

The Blond is nothing special. In fact, I don't see the value of bottling blond or single ales in general.

[@daviddorrell8390]

Few things: First, Jonny has very hairy arms. Second, I hope you finished those beers after shooting. Third, who are these people who proclaim the "best beer in the world?". What nonsense. It's so subjective to be just a random thing. The best beer in the world is the next well made beer that is sitting in front of me and I've a thirst.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

It's voted for by the people on the internet. So a collection of subjective opinions....

[@22grena]

I lo😇ve Catholicism and Catholic culture like beer brewing but I don't love your typical English disrespect. I am pretty sure I know what your English Catholic ancestors would have thought of you two.

[@TheCraftBeerChannel]

I mean if you know your English history you'll know the catholics weren't treated with respect by the rest of the nation AT ALL. But we mean no disrespect.