Rochefort Trappistes 8

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

Poured into a Delirium Tremens tulip. Huge beige head formed atop of a beautiful dark rubyish body. Tons of lace. Aromas of rum raisin, black cherry, and plenty of candi syrup. Very malty and rich, yet light on the tongue. Syrup, molasess, exotic sugars, peppery. Slight alcohol burn. World classic in every sence of the word.

This beer pours a dark brown with a slight reddish tint. A lovely creamy off-white head sits atop the body. Head gradually settles down to a thin coating across the surface of the beer that lasted as long as the beer did. Nice lacing, even in a tulip. Aroma is caramel, chocolate, cookies, some berries and dark fruit. Mostly sweet nose, but some roasted notes. Slight aroma of alcohol as well. Initial flavor is moderately sweet, cookie dough, milk chocolate, caramel, toffee, candi sugar, figs, and raisins. The flavors compliment each other quite well and are very balanced. The beer ends with warming alcohol, and a medium length, dry finish. This has an incredible mouthfeel, round, filling, very smooth and creamy. Lively carbonation dances on the tongue. Wonderfully complex, but without the hot alcohol that ruins the 10.

What really amazes me about beers as rich and complex as these Rocheforts is how full and lively the body is. Rarely do I focus so consistently on this, but I just don’t know how those Trappists manage to get the heft and fullness of an IPA in a Belgian strong like this. Big nose with candied fruits and dark honey, and a long finish with a hint of molasses and anise. Excellent.

Caramel & dark fruit nose w. a bit of lime (?!?) Quite sweet and alcoholic. Dark malt, burnt, slightly sour notes.

Very drinkable and approchable. Lots of fruity and floral flavors going on. Couldn't taste the alcohol at all. Everything you would expect from this brewer. Excellent concoction.

Bottle, 33 cl. Dark brown color, with a werry nice creamy foam. Aroma of dark chocolate, and alcohol. Tasty, sweet dark chocolate. Complex and full body. Nice round finish with maltyness.

33 cl bottle. Brown/reddish color, Big, creamy, beige head. Lovely aroma with fruit, yeast and sweet malt. Flavor is roasted malt, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, raisins.... Lovely!

Bottle shared by Mr. Chuck. Cloudy brown body. Malty brown bodywith sweet wood and yeast. Big woody yeasty brown malt flavor with light apple flesh hops. Some alcohol in the finish.