Rochefort Trappistes 8

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

Pours an opaque and extremely dark brown with a small but persistant creamy tan head. The nose is very complex, blending many rustic aromas. I noticed dark chocolate, roasted caramel, yeast along with some fruity notes that remind of plums, prunes and red wine. The experience is very reminescent of the ’10’ but more airy and open. The balance touches perfection. A velvety creaminess first soothes the tongue with a slight tingle from the mild carbonation. As you begin to "chew" the liquid, the body reveals itself: smooth roasted malts and the distinctive "Rochefort" flavor. The aftertaste has more bitterness than the 10, the kind you find in a very rich, dry, dark chocolate. An exceptional brew. Much easier to drink than its big brother, but just as complex.

[Sampled at eastertime in 2004.] Very close to its stronger brother. Maybe more valuable caused by the percentage, but all in all also a worldclassbeer worth going to Belgium, on a monkcruise, with the purpose to fill the celler!

Big, tan, creamy head, red-black opaque body, with some yeast sediment at the bottom. Subtle aroma of nameless spices, perhaps some anis, perhaps coriander. Very harmonic aroma, and surprisingly subdued. Powerful, dark, spicy taste of malts, coffee, and again spices; very complex, almost burns in the mouth, but still with some harmony. Very dry. Well, what I can say? Beer does not get much better than this. This has to be in the top ten.

Very, very good stuff. Flavor is peppery and spicy. Golden in color with a soft fluffy head. Highly recommended. Smells as good as it tastes.

I actually enjoyed this more than the Rochefort 10, mainly because of the sweetness that I thought was lacking in this fellow’s older brother. Very very similar aroma and flavor -- bready biscuit malt behind a very floral array of spices and yeast esters. Same brown, sedimented pour under a foamy white head. Plenty of dried fruits.

So I finally located the only store in Freakville that carries more than a couple of the esoteric top 50 beers, and at great expense purchased this example (as well as the Rochefort 10) of the Trappist’s art. Not being in possesion of a Rochefort glass, I chose a gold rimmed Koningshoven trappist glass in which to do the honors. Deep orange brown pour with a creamy head that fizzes up and then recedes, upon which I am treated to a delightful aroma of fruity booze. The flavor is striking and unlike any other beer I have encountered thus far. Extremely deep and complex with even the first sip. Light in the mouth with tingly sparkling carbonation, yet chewy with rich dark fruit flavors. Spices and herbal flavors go everywhere and defy description. The 9.2% alcohol does not detract at all, but adds to the complexity and fullness of the brew. You can always recognise a winner, and here we have one. Definitely not an everyday beer, but Awesome!

Pretty much like the 10.. same full body.. it only has a less complex taste.. less fruit.. but still amazing

Tremendous beer. A dark brown color with a lasting white-to tan head. A VERY complex flavor with tastes that range from cherries to dates to chocalte to...... The alcohol is very well hidden. Still cannot get over how complex the flavor is.....hopefully I can score an entire case of this one.