Westvleteren XII – The rarest beer in the world, now in Switzerland

The best beer in the world – direct from the monastery to you

There are beers. There are craft beers. And then there is
Westvleteren XII.

For years, this dark Trappist beer from the Belgian
Sint-Sixtusabdij monastery in Vleteren has held the top spot on RateBeer,
BeerAdvocate, and in the hearts of beer lovers worldwide.
Not because of marketing. Not because of a large advertising budget.
But because it is simply extraordinary.

The story behind the monastery

The Sint-Sixtus Abbey in Westvleteren has been brewing beer since 1838.
The monks do not brew for money – they brew to finance their
livelihood and to enable their contemplative life.

This explains why Westvleteren is so hard to get:

– It is brewed in strictly limited quantities
– Purchase only possible directly at the monastery – with a waiting list by phone
– Maximum 2 crates per vehicle – once every 60 days
– No sales to large distributors – no Coop, no Denner,
   no Migros
– On the secondary market, a bottle costs up to CHF 50.–

What makes Westvleteren XII so special?

Style: Quadrupel / Belgian Dark Strong Ale
Alcohol: 10.2% ABV
Colour: Deep mahogany brown, almost black
Brewery: Abdij Sint-Sixtus, Westvleteren, Belgium
Bottle: Characteristic – no label, only crown cap with date

Taste profile:

With the first sip, a complex world opens up:

– Dark chocolate and cocoa
– Dried fruit – plums, dates, figs
– Caramel and honey – sweet, but not sticky

– Herbal spice – the Belgian yeast gives unmistakable aromas – Warmth – the alcohol comes gently, never aggressively– The finish is long, complex and unforgettable

How to drink Westvleteren XII correctly?

Westvleteren XII deserves respect. Here's how to get the most out of it:

– Temperature: 10–12°C – never ice-cold, never warm – Glass: Goblet or tulip glass – never from the bottle – Pouring: Slowly, slightly tilted, leaving the yeast at the bottom of the bottle – Rest: Take your time. Not a beer to chug – one to experience – Shelf life: Can be stored for up to 5 years – it develops over timeFood pairing Westvleteren XII harmonizes wonderfully with: – Strong cheeses: Gruyère AOP, Appenzeller extra, Belgian Chimay à la bière – Braised meat: Roast beef, game dishes from Graubünden – Dark chocolate over 70% – one of the best combinations ever – Bündner Trockenfleisch – a consciously local recommendation from The Crafts