Lighter, but not lesser: St. Bernardus Pater 6

St. Bernardus Brewery, Watou, Belgium
11.2 fl. oz capped bottle
From: St. Bernardus Gift Pack
($14.99 for bottles from four styles and a goblet)
Alcohol content: 6.7 percent ABV
Sampled: Jan. 23, 2007 in a St. Bernardus goblet


Despite the lightest alcohol content among the St. Bernardus abbey ales, Pater 6 pours with a reddish-brown hue that rivals most double-fermented Belgian ales. Above the thin creamy head resides a relatively neutral, unassuming nose that offers scant preview of the tastes to come.

Though it's no challenger to Abt 12's throne, Pater 6 rushes out with a tangle of flavors - red fruits, bubbliness and effervescence that the stronger abbey ales sacrifice, a slight chocolate interruption and some roasted malt character. Some dried fruit flavors, likely figs, raisins and dates, sneak into the complex mix for a second.

None of these flavors really dominate or rise to the level of the stronger beers, which knocks Pater 6 down a few flights.


Of note with the St. Bernardus brews is the water, which its brews draw from a well at a minimum depth of 150 meters. According to the St. Bernardus website, the water it's using now dates to what fell in rainstorms during Joan of Arc's days.

Even when pouring a double abbey ale - there's definite bottle conditioning going here, given the sludgy sediment left in the bottle - that makes for a special brew.

Pater 6 leaves behind most other double abbey ales and performs admirably as a "light" alternative if Abt 12 is not available ... or you simple want a Belgian abbey ale you can drink all night.

Rating: 7/10