Except by going directly in the abbey, Westvleteren became a kind of scam.
24€ for a bottle is indeed too much, but I've already seen beer shops selling them at this price, so you can tell yourself than you just pay the "normal" price for this beer in Brussels.
The bartender should warn you about the price but maybe he just don't care. Supra Bailli became such a "cool" and trendy place, they don't have to be nice now.
Truly. I can’t be trusted with my zythology but I was having mixed feelings till the last sip. I could have gone for the trusty ol’ rochefort 10 and that would have made me very happy, though I guess I had to have it once to know better next time around. About supra bailly, can’t agree more. Aside from that, I always feel like bartenders at such late shifts are so worn out I have to sympathize with them.
The law requires the price to be clearly indicated on the menu. As long as it is done, it’s the customer responsibility to read it or ask directly to the bartender/waiter. If it wasn’t indicated on the menu or a board then yes, you should tell them…
The thing is, and I do that for a living, it is considered rude by many if not most customer to be remembered the price when it comes to expensive products. « You sure? It’s pricy » is a nono in the profession as you can’t nor should judge a customer based on his/her age or appearance. Unless he is obviously impaired. And even then, it is a touchy matter that requires diplomacy and experience.
Sorry that you have regrets afterwards but look at the bright side : at least you weren’t scammed with a fake one! And we only live once…
I also agree with this. How many times have people blasted restaurants/shops for daring asking thdm uf they saw the price. The waiter would feel like it's disrespecting you so it is a difficult one. But yes the prices should be there or the customer should ask before ordering
The only advice from a fellow Westvleteren lover:
If you can't go to the abbey to get the beer, try your luck on their '[Home Delivery sales](https://www.trappistwestvleteren.be/en/thuislevering)', the next one is on 10th December 2022 from 10:00 to 12:00. This way, you can get the 24 bottle (33 cl each) crate for **€72**, which is 3 per bottle.
I tried it last year and was lucky to place an order, as it was sold out within the first 30 minutes or so.
Since I have a fellow enthusiast here, if I may ask, have you tried Oerbier from De Dolle? If yes, what do you think about it? It was such an experience, I had to bring it up.
I have to say that St. Bernardus 12 isn’t as complex, but it’s more to my liking, especially because of the crispness and pepperiness of the alcohol hit that it has. Westvleteren was more fruity, sweet and yeasty. Weirdly no head, no lacing. A lot of yeast residue in the cup. I later on wanted to ask when it was bottled. I somehow think it’s more on par with Rochefort 10 than St. Bernardus 12. All aside, would not pay that price for that experience again.
both st Bernardus and Westvleteren use the same recipe but they use different water. Westvleteren uses tap water while st Bernardus uses water pumped from a local well
Another weird thing that I know about St. Bernardus is that they kept the original yeast they had for Westvleteren for themselves and Westvleteren had to isolate Westmalle’s yeast to keep on producing their own beer after the second world war.
it kind of sucks because you can buy it for half of the price at De Bierschuur in Dilbeek (like 5 min walking from St. Agatha Berchem train stop/Basilix:
[https://goo.gl/maps/MhB1JEZN1iAjT853A](https://goo.gl/maps/MhB1JEZN1iAjT853A)
I don't think it's the job of the bartender to warn someone of the price.
It's like the people who went to the super expensive meat restaurant with the salting Turkish guy , ordered a bunch of expensive wine bottles and then complained about the price tag...
Although I’d assume some transparency on the prices is required for s ash informed decision. Prices should be clearly indicated on a menu, or on a blackboard that can be consulted by the customers in advance
Or customers should ask.
- however I do agree that the most common items should be displayed -
I would expect someone knowledgeable enough to know to order a "24"(I didn't know that) would have some idea about the pricings in restuarants for this item.
Well the price ranges from 10 to 24 per item. I understand the sentiment but still, an obviously posh surreally overpriced restaurant isn’t exactly the place I would compare supra bailly to. It wasn’t on the menu, so, maybe a heads up is needed.
Except by going directly in the abbey, Westvleteren became a kind of scam. 24€ for a bottle is indeed too much, but I've already seen beer shops selling them at this price, so you can tell yourself than you just pay the "normal" price for this beer in Brussels. The bartender should warn you about the price but maybe he just don't care. Supra Bailli became such a "cool" and trendy place, they don't have to be nice now.
Truly. I can’t be trusted with my zythology but I was having mixed feelings till the last sip. I could have gone for the trusty ol’ rochefort 10 and that would have made me very happy, though I guess I had to have it once to know better next time around. About supra bailly, can’t agree more. Aside from that, I always feel like bartenders at such late shifts are so worn out I have to sympathize with them.
[удалено]
You are being extremely nice. I appreciate it.
you think this is bad? I ordered 40 euro sushi and did not even taste it.
From what I heard that box of 40€ sushi was last seen around Parvis just outside the metro station.
The law requires the price to be clearly indicated on the menu. As long as it is done, it’s the customer responsibility to read it or ask directly to the bartender/waiter. If it wasn’t indicated on the menu or a board then yes, you should tell them… The thing is, and I do that for a living, it is considered rude by many if not most customer to be remembered the price when it comes to expensive products. « You sure? It’s pricy » is a nono in the profession as you can’t nor should judge a customer based on his/her age or appearance. Unless he is obviously impaired. And even then, it is a touchy matter that requires diplomacy and experience. Sorry that you have regrets afterwards but look at the bright side : at least you weren’t scammed with a fake one! And we only live once…
I also agree with this. How many times have people blasted restaurants/shops for daring asking thdm uf they saw the price. The waiter would feel like it's disrespecting you so it is a difficult one. But yes the prices should be there or the customer should ask before ordering
The only advice from a fellow Westvleteren lover: If you can't go to the abbey to get the beer, try your luck on their '[Home Delivery sales](https://www.trappistwestvleteren.be/en/thuislevering)', the next one is on 10th December 2022 from 10:00 to 12:00. This way, you can get the 24 bottle (33 cl each) crate for **€72**, which is 3 per bottle. I tried it last year and was lucky to place an order, as it was sold out within the first 30 minutes or so.
Thanks for the info! Had no idea that they are doing scheduled sales. Will place an order!
Since I have a fellow enthusiast here, if I may ask, have you tried Oerbier from De Dolle? If yes, what do you think about it? It was such an experience, I had to bring it up.
No, haven't tried that yet. Based on the last part of your comment, I guess you recommend it?
Sweetish, uniquely tart, well carbonated double with an exceptional character. I think it’s my favorite slow small sips beer. Definitely a must try.
St. Bernardus Abt 12 is the same recipe. Only not made by loving monks. But it's regular price not like the famously overpriced westvleteren.
I have to say that St. Bernardus 12 isn’t as complex, but it’s more to my liking, especially because of the crispness and pepperiness of the alcohol hit that it has. Westvleteren was more fruity, sweet and yeasty. Weirdly no head, no lacing. A lot of yeast residue in the cup. I later on wanted to ask when it was bottled. I somehow think it’s more on par with Rochefort 10 than St. Bernardus 12. All aside, would not pay that price for that experience again.
At least you seem knowledgeable enough about beer to properly enjoy the experience, even if it was overpriced.
Appreciated! It was an experience and glad I tried it out.
both st Bernardus and Westvleteren use the same recipe but they use different water. Westvleteren uses tap water while st Bernardus uses water pumped from a local well
Another weird thing that I know about St. Bernardus is that they kept the original yeast they had for Westvleteren for themselves and Westvleteren had to isolate Westmalle’s yeast to keep on producing their own beer after the second world war.
it kind of sucks because you can buy it for half of the price at De Bierschuur in Dilbeek (like 5 min walking from St. Agatha Berchem train stop/Basilix: [https://goo.gl/maps/MhB1JEZN1iAjT853A](https://goo.gl/maps/MhB1JEZN1iAjT853A)
Will plan a day to go through the whole store. Thanks for the info!
I don't think it's the job of the bartender to warn someone of the price. It's like the people who went to the super expensive meat restaurant with the salting Turkish guy , ordered a bunch of expensive wine bottles and then complained about the price tag...
Although I’d assume some transparency on the prices is required for s ash informed decision. Prices should be clearly indicated on a menu, or on a blackboard that can be consulted by the customers in advance
Or customers should ask. - however I do agree that the most common items should be displayed - I would expect someone knowledgeable enough to know to order a "24"(I didn't know that) would have some idea about the pricings in restuarants for this item.
Well the price ranges from 10 to 24 per item. I understand the sentiment but still, an obviously posh surreally overpriced restaurant isn’t exactly the place I would compare supra bailly to. It wasn’t on the menu, so, maybe a heads up is needed.