St. Bernardus Abt 12 beer

St. Bernardus Abt 12 is a classic Belgian Abbey Ale, specifically a Quadrupel, brewed by de Brouwerij St. Bernardus. The brand's origin is deeply linked to the Trappist monks of Westvleteren; after WWII, the monks of St. Sixtus Abbey decided to outsource the commercial production of their beers, leading to a long-term licensing agreement with the St. Bernardus cheese factory, which then pivotally shifted into brewing using the original Westvleteren recipes and yeast strains.

Today, the brewery remains independent and is located in Watou, Belgium. While it no longer officially carries the 'Authentic Trappist Product' label (as it is not brewed within monastery walls), it maintains a reputation for producing beers that adhere strictly to traditional methods. The brand is currently owned by the Depuydt family, who have modernized the facilities and expanded the brewery's global reach while preserving its historic heritage.