Rochefort Trappistes 8

Brewed by Brasserie Rochefort
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Rochefort, Belgium

33cl bottle bought in Belgium. Frothed over as soon as it was opened and subsequently poured a bit cloudy and lumpy. Deep red-brown with very little head, nose is vinous, plummy, toffee-malty, notes of orange. Initial taste is woody with loads of alcohol, hints of port, aftertaste is dry with burnt caramel and hops.

Pours a reddish copper with an off white head. Aroma is bready malt, floral hops, and fruit. Flavor is sweet malt, dark fruits, a bit of spice, and a semi-dry alcohol finish.

Bottle at PIB. Cola brown pour with light tan head, light lacing. Aroma is bready and full of fruit: grapes, apples, plum. Flavor is much the same, slightly vinous and with a nice roast to it. Full bodied mouth and very pleasing all the way down. Can’t wait to try the 6 and 10!

This beer has a very sweet and fruity aroma with hints of flowers and herbs. It has a sweet, spicey flavor of dried fruits, herbs and hops.

Huge foamy light colored head. The actual body of the beer was an opaque dark brown. I was actually surprised at how grapey and wine like many of the beer’s characteristics were. There were a multitude of aromas of sour and astringent fruit, soft malt, grapes, and dankness. Flavors were of fruit punch, malt, cola, and bitter spices. Creamy smooth mouth-feel. Alcohol like its big brother is impeccably balanced. Not really my style of beer, but there’s no denying its pedigree. This is a classic that isn’t quite as good as Rochefort 10. However, it stands apart on its own legs as a amazing brew. Salud!

Pours a lacing beige head with a hazy brown body like cola. Smells astringent and a little fruity. Flavor is roasted malts, dried fruits, toffee, and yeast.

Love those Belgians. Murky brown swill-looking ale with sediment pours into Trappist glass with speckled tan head. Aroma is sweet bread, light baked apples, chocolate, licorice and earthy undertones. Taste is plum and figs, dark malt, licorice and spice, brot, with a long finish. Starts complex and bold, gets smoother the more you sip. A true classic.