Crosby's Kitchen & CocktailTrappist Westvleteren XII

Considered the rarest beer in the world, "Westy 12" is brewed by Saint Sixtus Abbey (Sint Sixtus Abdij) in northwest Belgium; one of the seven Trappist monasteries producing beer. It has an ABV of 10.2% and uses the Westmalle yeast strain but all other details are speculation and the recipe is tightly guarded. The date stamped on the cap is a "Best After" date approximately three year after the day of production. The yellow cap is the only identifying mark of this beer as there is no label and they use three different bottles in production: plain, "Trappisten," and "Westmalle." The beer is not distributed anywhere in the world. The only way to acquire it is to visit the monastery. Young bottles tend to be rather boozy, yet, the alcohol is never hot or harsh. Dried, dark fruit esters come through in the nose and taste and are accompanied by intense melanoidins. The characterful Westmalle yeast contributes to a doughy aroma, low bubble gum esters (think Juicy Fruit) and a hint of black licorice. A very complex beer which improves with age.