Westvleteren
Westvleteren is the beer of the Trappists of Sint-Sixtus Abbey in Vleteren, in West Flanders. The monks brew three beers: a Blond, the 8 and the famous 12. They brew only small quantities and sell directly only by reservation. As a result, Westvleteren is one of Belgium's most sought-after beers.
Beer from the monks of Sint-Sixtus
Westvleteren is a Trappist beer. This means the beer is brewed within the walls of a Trappist abbey, under the supervision of the monks, and that the proceeds go toward supporting the abbey and charitable causes. The Sint-Sixtus Abbey in Vleteren has been brewing since 1838. It is one of the smallest Trappist breweries: the monks deliberately keep production low so that brewing does not take over monastic life.
For a long time, the bottles had no label. You could identify the beer only by the color of the crown cap: green for the Blond, blue for the 8 and yellow for the 12. Since 2022, the bottles have carried labels in those same colors, with the ingredients and nutritional values on them. The abbey itself sells the beer only through a reservation on its website. Opposite the abbey is Café In de Vrede, where you can drink it on the spot. Westvleteren 12 has ranked highly on international beer lovers' lists for years, making the scarce bottles even more sought-after.
In brief
Blond, 8 and 12
Gall & Gall sells the three Westvleteren beers individually and in a beer pack. Each beer has its own character, from fresh and fruity to dark and full-bodied.
Westvleteren Blond
Slightly cloudy blonde with a full head and plenty of fizz. Fresh and fruity on the nose, with citrus and a touch of lime zest. The green one of the three.
Westvleteren 8
Green nuts, soft fruit and a hint of caramel. Dark amber with a full head. Stronger than the Blond, lighter than the 12. The blue one.
Westvleteren 12
The best-known of the three. Dark amber, full and complex, with a substantial head that clings to the glass. Also known as the Flemish Burgundy. The yellow one.
Westvleteren beer pack
A pack of twelve bottles of Westvleteren, put together by Gall & Gall. This lets you taste the abbey's beers side by side.
Which abbeys brew Trappist beer and what the difference is from an abbey beer: read about it on our Trappist page.
From fresh blond to deep and dark
From citrus to caramel
The Blond smells fresh, with notes of citrus and lime. The 8 has notes of green nuts, soft fruit and caramel. The 12 is the richest, with dark sugar and dried fruit.
Full and smooth
The Blond is light and lively. The 8 and especially the 12 are full and round, with fine carbonation from secondary fermentation in the bottle.
Dry or warm
The Blond finishes dry and fresh. With the 12, the flavor lingers for a long time, with a warm note of alcohol.
Flavor profile of Westvleteren 12. The Blond scores lower in sweetness and strength and higher in bitterness. The 8 is in between.
How to pour Westvleteren
Westvleteren undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle. Pour slowly, let the beer come to temperature and take your time.
Not too cold
Pour the Blond at 6 to 8 degrees. The 8 and 12 are best enjoyed at 10 to 14 degrees. If they are too cold, the aroma and fruit remain closed.
More about quadrupel →Pour slowly
Hold the glass at an angle and let the beer run down the side. At the end, set the glass upright to create the head. Leave the layer of yeast at the bottom in the bottle, or deliberately pour it in.
More about pouring beer →Taste the three side by side
Start with the Blond, then the 8 and finish with the 12. This lets you taste how the beer becomes fuller and darker. Keep small glasses and a jug of water on hand to make things easier to follow.
Home beer tasting →Westvleteren at the table
Trappist beer pairs well with food. The Blond goes with fresh and salty dishes, while the dark beers pair with hearty and sweet dishes.
Drinks and fish
With young cheese, olives, mussels or grilled fish. The fresh citrus complements salt and seafood.
Stew
With Flemish stew, rabbit or game. The caramel complements dark sauces.
Cheese and dessert
With aged or blue cheese and chocolate. Or simply on its own, after a meal.
Bread, cheese and sausage
For a tasting, serve bread, cheese and dry sausage. This lets you taste how each beer reacts to different foods.
The right glass for Westvleteren
A trappist glass is a chalice or tulip on a stem. The wide bowl releases the beer's aroma, while the stem keeps your hand away from the beer. Choose 38 to 40 cl, so it fits a 33 cl bottle with a beautiful head. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Westvleteren
Is your question not listed? Read more about Trappist beer or get in touch.
All about Trappist →What is Westvleteren?
How much alcohol is in Westvleteren 12?
Why is Westvleteren 12 so famous?
What do the colors on Westvleteren mean?
Which glass do you use for Westvleteren?
How cold should you drink Westvleteren 12?
Buy Westvleteren
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Westvleteren online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of October 9, 2026, as reported by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.