Rochefort Trappistes 8

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

Bottle: Deep maroon with a brownish hue and a thick creamy tan head. Toasted rich aroma- toffee notes, dates, fig, plummy and warming. A bit too carbonated- thins out the body. Not as creamy as the 10. A touch peppery at the fore followed by plummy toffee-like richness. The malt depth leads to a toasted dark Belgian malt note and peppery alcohol/spicy phenolics follow. Not bad, just not as cohesive and silky on the palate as anticipated.

Interesting beer. Has a complex aroma. Notes of fruit, malt, and caramel hit the nose. Good sweet and bitter balance, with the carbonation preventing the sweet from overpowering. The carbonation also gives the beer an interesting finish, which fades nicely. The only knock for me is the body, the beer is just a bit thin for me.

Bottle. Pours a beautiful, sedimenty brown. Aroma is complex - hints of fruit, caramel sweetness, and alcohol. Taste is equally complex, citrusy with a malty background, a slight bite from the alcohol, and a delicious sweetness. Some hoppy notes as well. An incredible amount of flavor in this brew. Each taste brings new notes. One of the best beers I’ve had in a while.

330mL bottle. Pours a cloudy amber-brown with visible suspended particles of sediment and a persistent, frothy off-white head. The aroma is floral, spicy and fruity, with the alcohol coming through as it warms. Sweet and fruity flavour with some bitterness from the malt preparation and a balanced, mildly hoppy aftertaste, while the alcohol is reasonably well masked. Full bodied with initially quite lively carbonation.

12oz bottle from 16th St.Liquor in West Van. Pours a slightly cloudy deep brown. Tan head dissipates to a thin ring. Aroma is complex. An abundance of smoky malt with fruit notes including bananas. Taste is thick with roasted malt, yeast and layered fruit and malt. Alcohol is evident but subtle and well integrated. Mouthfeel lingers well and warms as it settles in. A very magical beer.

Incredible head on this; pillowy, off white withe lacing. A deep amber color and strong malt note in the aroma. Sweet and smooth with a hint of roastiness and a kick of alcohol at the end. Dangerous.

Cloudy brown. Opens with a pop, enthusiastic tan head fades to a nice veil that laces. Dough, dark sugars, summer berries, citrus , raisins, white pepper. Very noticeable alcohol, but it’s not raw. Fruit and chocolate with some astringency on top of the sweetness. Remaining carbonation is perfect to bring lightness to the palate. Seems more about balance than complexity for it’s own sake. Finish is herbal with a touch of brandy.