Adam,I only ever drank one bottle of Westvleteren 12 (obtained legitimately, if not at the abbey gate in its vicinty) and it wasn't side by side with St Bernardus 12 so I stand corrected. It was pretty fresh too.
However, I did think it was pretty close compared to other quads I tried around the same time from Den Molen, De Struise, or Rochefort 10 (also not side by side).
I'd agree that Pannepot is excellent, and yes 3 Fontanein was definitely a highlight. The restaurant has tasty food like rabbit in gueuze and there is a tasting room around the corner where you can pick up their beers for very reasonable prices - and after the 2009 disaster they definitely deserve the support!
