Rochefort Trappistes 8

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

Pours muddy brown wit a quite decent, but quick vanishing, head. Fresh, citric, almondy nose with hints of exotic fruits. Refreshing, fruity, spicy, lemony flavour with some candy-ish notes. Somewhat alcoholic. Really fruity palate. Some hops is there too. Thick mouthfeel. This one is absolutely wonderful.

Bottle (330ml). The 10’s little brother, very like him in character. Pours cloudy, not bubbly at all, minimal whisp of a head with a touch of lacing, some fine black sediment at bottom of bottle (not a problem). Spice, clove, touch of tobacco and fruit (ripe apple/pear), maybe a bit of yeast - malty-sweet on taste in addition. Lovely linger, with a bit of a surprising alcohol kick after several seconds. A perfect Belgian bruin when you’re not quite up to the challenge of the "10".

Aroma: sweet, malt (wonderful), apple, banana, blue grapes, caramelized (don’t know if that’s what it’s called) sugar, seed, vaguely sourish, coriander, chocolate, liquorice Flavor: sweet, full/rich, very balanced (reminds me of Malheur Dark Brut), bitter aftertaste, yeasty Appearance: deep orange brown, opaque, completely foggy, light beige head Palate: wonderful consistency, creamy, rough, medium co2 I had soot chèvre and New Guinea chocolate with it, and it went extremely well along. I think some dark Belgian chocolate or honey chèvre would be good also.

Light red-brown colour with a huge off-white head. Spicy caramel aroma, repeated in the flavour. Coffee and chocolate. Sweetness nicely balanced by bitterness, ending very dry. Warming alcohol

Medium amber colour. Well balanced tastes and aromas of dark fruit (like plums, red raisins). Nice dry finish. Almost as good as the 10.

Bought @ Steilacoom Wine and Brew. This has got to be one of my top three favorite beers in the world... and I have had thousands! The head is totally tremendous, and is such a signature for a trappist beer... like pouring a Guinness on tap, takes forever. The nose only hints at is what to come, but the flavor and the mouthfeel is what makes this beer sssooo incredible, somewhere between the best brown and a yeasty double, this beer is wonderful! Frothing in your mouth, you taste sudsy dark fruits and lots of the character of a trappist beer, lightly sweet, it leaves you wanting more! And more!

Bottle. Deep amber color with slight sediment and a big creamy head that lasts. Nose is very balanced and inviting-- light caramel malt, sweet raisin and tart fruit, and a flowery yeast aroma that is out of this world! Flavor delivers on all of these, with a smooth mouthfeel and completely masked alcohol throughout. I enjoyed this a little more than the 10. I think the lower abv in the 8 really allows the terrific yeast profile to shine through. Good stuff indeed!

I found it to be very drinkable such as settling in for an afternoon of football sitting back in a comfortable chair, perhaps with your computer in front of you as you watch the games. What could be sweeter than great football and a really good solid beer that after a couple you know you’ve been drinking beer.