Seattle really shines when the spring sun is out in full force. It was a beautiful, bright afternoon that made a midday trip downtown feel like the right call, and we found ourselves at Yard House for lunch. With the sun streaming in, the place was aglow and the atmosphere demanded something substantial like the Abt 12 to mark the occasion.
The fact that I hadn’t checked in the heavyweight classic Abt 12 by St. Bernardus before was a bit surprising but it makes for a good milestone check-in at this point in time. Because this wasn’t just a casual lunch pour; this glass officially represented check-in number 3,100 on my Untappd journey, and my 2,215th unique beer. When you reach those kinds of numbers, you want a brew with a bit of history and gravity behind it.
Wee Tasting Ledger for the Abt 12
- Beer: Abt 12
- Brewery: Brouwerij St. Bernardus (Watou, Belgium)
- Style: Belgian Quadrupel
- ABV: 10%
- Milestone: 3,100th Check-in / 2,215th Unique
- Rating: 3.75 – 4.00 Caps
The Abt 12 is a quintessential quadrupel. It brings deep, dark fruit notes including raisins, plums, and a hint of dark cherry; wrapped in a rich, malty embrace with that distinct Belgian yeast character. It’s a good, strong beer with a solid flavor profile and a remarkably smooth finish for the ABV, making it a very pleasant companion for a sunny afternoon.
Untappd Check-in at Yard House in Seattle
Brady joined in on the milestone pour as well, though his ledger reflected a bit more enthusiasm for the monks’ work today. He ended up giving it a notched-up 4 caps on Untappd, finding that the classic dark fruit sweetness hit the mark just right for a spring lunch.
That said, as I look back on the 2,200+ uniques I’ve logged since 2012, the competition at the top is fierce. While this is a reliable and well-crafted beer, it didn’t quite hit that “superstar” level we’ve found in some of the more complex quads or those elite barrel-aged dark beers that linger in your memory for weeks. It’s a staple for a reason, but it stops just short of the hall-of-fame tier.
A solid 3.75 – 4.00 caps for a great milestone check-in. Onward to the next milestone.
Clark believes that the best professional relationships are built on shared experiences and a bit of fun. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Clark has been a vocal advocate of the local craft beer scene for years. He enjoys exploring the unique flavors and community-driven atmosphere of Washington’s and Oregon’s many breweries while working through the complex software architecture opportunities presented by social interaction. After a hard day of work, Clark can often be found on the karaoke stage any day of the week belting out 80’s rock and heavy metal tunes while bringing the same passion and energy to his performances as he does to his startups; valuing confidence, engagement, and the power of a good song and a bourbon barrel aged beer to bring people together.
