Yes, friends, it is another Belgian. This time, we are having a look at a sibling of my favorite beer of all time, the St Bernardus Abt 12. This one is the Prior 8 - a Beligan Dubbel - one that my coworker swears is superior to its well regarded older brother. He is categorically full of shit, but this is not to say it is an unworthy drop.

With no further hesitation, here is the Prior 8:



The picture is crap because I took it on my Motorola Razr. Trust me on this, it is a dark brown with hints of red, although not as murky as the Abt 12. It fizzes gently, and offers an aroma of caramel and malt.

By the way, if you are going to drink this beer, or the Abt 12, or any of the Belgians I am inclined to like, please do us all a favor and take it from a goblet like the one in my picture. Gracias. Oh, and buy it at Consumer's - but more on that later.

Okay, now to the payoff. How does it drink? Well, your nose's mama didn't raise no fool. Strong flavors of caramel and malty goodness await you. Other reviewers have claimed hints of cocoa and fruits such as apricot and fig, but my palate has been muted by God knows how many cigarettes.

There is a slight warming sensation like you would get with the Abt 12, or for that matter, a Port wine. This is one of my all time favorite moments in alcohol. It weighs in at a stout 8% ABV, and delivers a happy drunk that is consistent from the first few sips until the last gasp. This is one fantastic brew.

I picked this up while at Premier Gourmet, while Josh fucked around for some coffee dripper and associated beans (good coffee, but more on that another time). Premier charges $8.99 for this bottle and a whopping $10.49 for the Abt 12. You can get the same products at Consumer's for $7.99 a bottle (the Abt 12 chilled no less - I DARE YOU to open one of these up warm). Why would you not go to the cheaper place?!? I have hung out with young Mr. Notarius on an occasion or two, and the first opportunity I get I am going to bitch to him about it.

The final score? I forgot how we rated these beers, but I'll give it 4 of 5 Goblets, because it is overall a very worthy beer that delivers on everything most people expect of a Dubbel. It ain't the Abt 12, with all of its banana/clovey/spicy yumminess, but if you want a Dubbel this isn't a bad place to start or finish.

Happy drinking!