I was lucky enough to live in Ghent for a bit, which is far west enough in Flanders that Westvleteren would show up on the shelves by special arrangement at the good beer shop occasionally. This shop had, like, a Westvleteren hotline that you could call and see if any was on the schedule. The 12 is awesome. I like it more than the Bernardus-- don’t know how much of that was being able to get it without long travel.
And I’m one of those people who loves Orval.
What is it with Trappists and beer?
I became a huge fan of Rochefort 10 while living in Amsterdam. The was so rich and smooth. I’ll have to keep Westvleteren in mind if I ever find myself going to near that area.
Actually, the website says once per month.
But I’d sure like to try some of that.
Those boys wanna party likes it’s 1368 
Mmmm…
My neighborhood bar has St. Bernardus 12 on tap…
It’s so, so sour- A Flemish sour red, to be precise. When I first tried it my husband and I were given samples and we both made terrible surprised faces, and the surprise never goes away. My favorite bar has it on tap temporarily and I’ve had a whole glass several times, and each taste is like the first: surprising, wonderful sourness, like sour cherries I used to pick off trees as a kid. It is the kind of thing that makes you so happy to be alive because it’s such a sensory experience, like wasabi.
It sold by Ommegang under their label but made by Brouwerij Bockor in Belgium. My understanding is that most Ommegang is brewed in New York. The Rouge is brewed in Belgium.
Speaking of Ommegang, should I buy a bottle of Chocolate Indulgence? I love the Southern Tier Imperial chocolate, if you’re familiar with that.
ETA: I want a beer so bad right now! I’ll have to settle for a Dog Fish Head IPA from the fridge, can’t afford a visit to the bar for a $9 Rouge.
Hmm… the Rouge sounds good. Wish I could find it around here. I haven’t found the Chocolate Indulgence either. I was thinking of ordering it from their website, now I have another reason!
The bartender said that some people are disappointed because the Chocolate is not as rich as expected because of the word indulgence, but that it’s very good. I might just have to buy a bottle and let you know how it is. You know, for science.
I used to think that St. Bernardus 12 was just the same as Westy 12, but then a few friends and I did a blind side-by-side of the following:
St. Bernardus 12
St. Bernardus 12 Special Edition
Westy 12
Rochefort 10
St. B 12 scored fine overall, but every single taster picked the Westy 12 as their top beer without having known which was which.
They are, of course, very similar, but the Westy 12 is much more complex and richer in flavor.
The Rochefort 10 actually came in second, with the regular version of St. B 12 coming in last.
I think the Westy12 is *probably * a bit better than STB12, if only because, not being brewed as a a commercial enterprise, a bit more attention goes into making it.
HOWEVER, if you are not at the abbey itself, you need to buy it on the gray market where it will cost you about $30 - $50 a bottle (which are about 500 ml if I remember correctly). A 750 ml bottle of StB12 costs about $10 and is widely available.
Westy 12 is a bit better, but I am not so sure it is better than the cost differential between the 2. But YMMV!
I LOVE the Flemish sour red beers, but it took me a bit to appreciate them… The first time I had one I didn’t know what it was, I just wanted something I had never had before and it sounded interesting. I took a sip and almost spit it out - thought it had spoiled or something (kind of like how I once had BBQ sauce thinking it was ketchup and thought it was spoiled until my taste buds equilibrated). Once I realized it was supposed to taste like that I could try it again.
I definitely think the effort that goes into obtaining a rare beer can influence your opinion of the beer, however, this was at a blind tasting so that didn’t come into play.
I get my Westy 12 by trading other beers for it, which means I don’t have to pay the mark-up from getting it through E-bay. Beer trading is becoming more and more popular, so obtaining a beer like Westy 12 really isn’t considered that difficult any more.
They are all great beers, don’t get me wrong.
Does anybody have any links to reputable places online to buy these beers? I’ve never bought any alcohol online before so I don’t know where might be good places. I live in the northern Virginia so there shouldn’t be any problems with delivery.
Bevmo might have what you want. They have a pretty large selection but I’ve gotten skunked beer before from their local stores, so you might want to be careful.
They might have what you want, but they don’t ship to VA. 
There’s a place online called Belgian bottle shop or some such thing (don’t have time to look it up right now), but the prices will be high if you are looking for Westy.
If you are just looking for great craft beer in general, then try South Bay Drugs. They have a great selection–and the best customer service.
Hmm? That’s much more than I ever spent-- or maybe pub prices are different; where is your grey market? In Belgium or abroad? (does your user name mean you’re actually in Moeskroen Hennegouwen, actually? If so, cool…)
I love love love oud bruins/Flemish reds, but it’s a very particular taste and a way I can buy beer that no one else in the house will drink. I also like gueze.
Nope - I’m in the USA. Here we have to rely on people who went to belgium, visited the abbey and brought the stuff back with them, or rely on online sellers of potentially dubious character.