Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 12

I was able to get a glass of the Saint Arnold Divine Reserve 12 on release day while at Avenue Pub in New Orleans. The beer pours an amber color with almost no head. The aroma consists of caramel, toffee, lemon, and grass. The taste is boozy with a caramel and toffee sweetness. A helping of hops gives the beer a grassy finish with a hint of lemon, and pepper lingers in the after taste. The alcohol content is 10.0% ABV. This beer was pretty decent while drinking fresh, but I feel that with age it would become even better. The alcohol was a little too hot in this beer, but the rest of the flavors were quite exquisite.

Westvleteren 12

I secured a bottle of Westvleteren 12 in a beer trade with Lee from Hoptopia and I decided to share it with my buddy Ed who brought over a bottle of Westvleteren 8 to share with me. The beer pours a dark brown color with hints of amber and a frothy tan head that laces nicely on the glass. The aroma consists of sweet Belgian yeast, malts, pear, and grapes. The taste is smooth and creamy with a light bubbly mouth feel. There are bits of raisin, Belgian yeast, sweet malts, pear, grapes, a light toasted malt accent, caramel, and a good breadiness that keeps the beer on the tongue. The finish is smooth yet warming with a light alcohol bite and an earthy hop accent. The alcohol content is 10.2% ABV. Not all beers live up to the hype that is attached to them, but the Westvleteren 12 certainly does. It hides the alcohol content well while letting you know that it is there, it provides a sweet treat with a well balanced earthy hop finish.