It has been a fabulous 2014. I have so much to be thankful for not the least being my family, my health, and my friends. With those three possessions everything else is a bonus. In those three categories I am lucky and wealthy.
Today also marks the FINISH of what I STARTED on January 1, 2014. I have successfully drank 365 different beers-one each day during the past year. I have also done a post on each beer. My complete list of all 365 beers is found at link below.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5ymdu9orcxyopw8/AABtV_mdHNZgDbBOcBKNDK2Da
Today I drink one of the few beers I have had that is rated 100 on RateBeer thanks to the generousity of beer aficionados and great friends Carey and Joanna Read.
The Belgium Trappist Beer I am having to close out 2014 is Westtvleteren XII which is brewed by Westtvleteren Abdij Saint Sixtus which is located in Westtvleteren, Belgium. Just about every beer rating website has Westtvleteren 12 as Number One or close to it. This is a world class beer classified as a quadruple. It contains 10.2% ABV with a IBU rating of 28. Westtvleteren is a Trappist beer and the name is protected by law and can only be applied to beer brewed by trappist monks in their monastery. Only 6 monasteries Achel, Chimay, Orval, Rochefort, Westmalle and Westvleteren can brew Trappist Beer.
The Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren consists of some thirty Cistercian or Trappist monks. They try to lead a quiet and modest life, searching for God. They do work and that is where the beer comes from. The Westvleteren “Trappist” is sold exclusively at the abbey store, and only after having made a reservation by telephone (+32 (0)70/21.00.45).
I am not sure how Carey and Joanna scored this beer or maybe I don’t want to know. They make reference all the time that they have a guy in California but tonight they are in Raleigh so I couldn’t share the Westtvleteren with them as originally planned.
I had to go to plan B so I called up Joe Terranova who was born in Italy and offered him an act of friendship. I wanted to share this beer with my wife & Joe who always wants to drink the beers I have classified this year as “One and Done”. Two of those beers included an Italian stinker named Imper Ale (June 25) and a Mexican beer Carta Blanca (January 26). When we got ready to open the Westtvleteren we were joined by another good friend Steven Bourquin. Tonight my wife, Joe, Steven, and I toasted families, health, friends, with a world class beer. I hope to drink Westtvleteren 12 again and maybe even consume a full bottle.
A special Happy New Year shoutout to the Read’s – you two are awesome friends.
Picture of Abbey of Saint Sixtus is shown above. If you want to learn about the monastery click link below.
coach4aday 
So happy we could help end your quest but sorry we could not share the evening with you. The beer is excellent but your company is always even better. Happy New Year to you and Nira!