St. Bernardus Abt 12 Magnum (1.5 liter) 2023 Edition

Abt 12 Magnum Edition 2023 comes in a specially designed Magnum sized bottle (1.5 liters / 50.721 oz) with embossed brewery logo, Bière Belge neck, champagne cork with logo and gold wirehood.

This year’s design is by the Belgian painter Hervé Martijn, whose work is a never-ending quest for the essence of what it means to be human. Martijn’s visual language is typified by the fragility and introversion of the figures he paints with immense virtuosity. Presented here is a serene portrait titled “White Pigeon in Black” of West Flemish composer, pianist and singer Katrien Verfaillie. It extends the tradition (started in 2012) that makes these annual bottles collector’s items.

St. Bernardus Abt 12 is an award winning quadrupel that pours a hazy brown with a frothy beige head and expressive carbonation.

Top fermented, bottle conditioned and matured for three months, the brew boasts aromas of dried fruits, plums and raisins, coffee, cherry, bread and caramel.

Taste follows the nose and includes candy sugar sweetness balanced by spice, coriander, a big hit of malt, fruit, and the warming power of 10.0% ABV.

The mouthfeel is soft, smooth and medium bodied. The finish is dry, warm and slightly bitter.

Food Pairings

This beer is a perfect ingredient in and accompaniment to classic Belgian stews, such as rabbit and prune casserole or beef carbonnade.

Blue cheeses of the Roquefort type also make for an ideal pairing, and don’t overlook chocolate desserts for an unexpected but very successful combination.

Serve at 46 – 57 degrees F.