Trappistes Rochefort 8 - Brasserie de Rochefort

jed

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: Brown, 33 cl bottle with "Authentic Trappist Product" mark, along with suggested serving glassware. Label text in French and German; best if consumed by 4/15/08. Poured into a Trappistes Rochefort chalice.

Appearance: Pours a warm, hazy brown that doesn't let any light get through. Weird layering: a small layer of clear, unclouded brown above the body of the beer, which is hazy with floating particles. One finger head with weak head retention. As the head dissipates, it leaves behind a thick trail of dirty, light brown lacing.

Smell: Very sweet smell dominated by green raisins and alcohol esters. Hints of other fruits, especially fig, and even some caramel.

Taste: Nose of strong fruit flavors, fig and raisins balanced by cloves and a spicy streak of pepper. As the beer warms, more pronounced banana flavor and brown sugar sweetness. Hops are barely noticeable. Aftertaste has a harsh alcohol flavor, which is unfortunate. Slightly bitter, grape finish with lingering cloves, cinnamon and warming alcohol. Very slight hint of citrus/apricot as well.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth, with well-balanced carbonation. Feels a little bit thin at times, but nothing serious. 4.0

Drinkability: The high alcohol content is masked very well, but it stills slips through at times and takes away from otherwise perfect drinkability.

I picked this up along with a bottle of Rochefort 10, and after sampling this I can't wait to try the 10. An excellent, very flavorful beer hurt only by a little bit of obvious alcohol presence. After taking one sip I realized what DFH was trying to nail down with their Raison d'Etre, but this is way better. Would be interesting to see how Rochefort 8 holds up in a cellar, given how far away the freshness date is.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2004 11:46:38 | More by jed

jeffboo

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A cloudy chestnut color with a tan head. Acidic aroma with some chocolate,tobacco, and alcohol on the nose. A very bubbly light to medium body with a bit of a buttery texture. Flavors of sweet dark fruits (cherries,plums) and tobacco balanced with an alcoholic finish. A nice Trappist but not a standout.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2004 02:08:48 | More by jeffboo

proc

Michigan

4.7/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out to what can best be described, as a cloudy, iced tea appearance in the glass with a very, decent head. Aroma is that of fruit, with figs, plums and raisins prominent. The taste is excellent and exhibits the yeast profile that it shares with with the "6" and the "10" offerings. Extremely drinkable for a beer that clocks in at over 9% ABV, although the price prohibits drinking this in copius amounts. The ABV is exceptionally well-hidden. Another fantastic offering from this brewery and a must try.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2004 01:47:07 | More by proc

Gueuzedude

Arizona

2.9/5  rDev -33.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Expiration Date April 2008, Sampled January 2004
Pours a beautiful ruby color. It is vry highly carbonated, which creates a thick creamy light brown-tan head. Aromas of dark fruit, rum, a certain spiciness, faintly musty, and alcolohol are all to be found in the nose. The taste is lightly sweet up front and finishes with a kick of alcohol. This beer has a light body considering the strength (as is characteristic of many Belgian beers), though it is perhaps is on the thin side.

This beer does not even come close to the character & depth of either the 6 or the 10 from Rochefort. A bit dissapointing really. There is some dark fruitiness in the taste, but it is somewhat muted, and there is a musty, perhaps wet cardboard, flavor, which makes me think that perhaps this beer has been mistreated. I can't quite place it as oxidation damage though. This beer should be strong enough to shrug off any rough treatment it recieves during importation though. I will definitely have to try another sample later for a rerate.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2004 16:30:14 | More by Gueuzedude

marburg

Michigan

4.78/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Hazed dark brown body with fizzy cream-colored head. Practically opaque through the direct center of the glass. Generously spiced and fruity: stewed cinnamon apples in brown sugar pop off the top of the glass and directly into the nose. Mingles with banana puree and a touch of cloves.

Equally delightful in its flavors. Yellow raisins and tropical fruits blend with spiced alcohol and a distinct cinnamon/nutmeg flavor. Very exotic and enticing. Alcohol hits you pretty well, but even as this warms, the full intensity remains caged, unlike this guy's big brother.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2004 04:13:45 | More by marburg

kmo1030

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

cloudy brown with a thick light brown head. lots of yeast floating aorund. fruity aromas of figs and grape flavors. bready aromas from the yeast with mild chocolate too. a hint of apricots? bready fruit flavors. figs, raisins, white grape, a little of that apricot flavor (like dried apricots). some nutty flavors a bit of cofee underneath. aftertaste brings a slight peppery flavor. pretty sharp carbonation with a thicker side if meduim body. overall quite an experience. i wish i had another bottle, each sip changed my conception of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2004 01:37:37 | More by kmo1030

dansteino

Louisiana

4.55/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Picked this lovely up at Dorignac's. Will see to it that Martin Wine Cellar has this soon.

Consume by June 19, 2007. Whoops -- jumped the gun again.

Appearance: Very good. Pours a hazy orange/brown (apple cider) with a lovely head into my tulip.

Smell: Very good. Spices (Clove nutmeg). Fruit. (Fig, plum, raisin).

Taste. Very good. There's that fruit again. Some chocolate and coffee. Slight bitterness at the end attributed to carbonation and hops.

Mouthfeel. Sublime. Melts in the mouth like a piece of chocolate.

Drinkability. Great. I could drink these sweet bad boys all damn night. Whoa. Wait a minute. There's the alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2004 06:20:33 | More by dansteino

far333

Connecticut

3.98/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Murky deep brown color with a low, off-white head that sinks quickly. No lace is left around the glass as I drink. Aroma is cinnamon and pear, some cocoa as well. Flavor is rich, with a mix of sweet fruit and cocoa, a tiny bit of hops, and a definite alcohol tingle in the finish. No strong or dominant flavors. Fig and raisin emerge as it warms. Good selection, but the ABV seems to take away from the flavor.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2004 13:15:18 | More by far333

frank4sail

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

29 09 04 best by date..

Sparkely iced tea colored look in the goblet with yeasty floaties (they are my friends). Initial fluffy off white head leaves quickly .. disapates to a fine sheen on top of the brew. Sweet ripe dark fruits (plums) and sweet malts surrouns the nose. Very pungent smell. Initial taste of plums, red grape skins, and a sweet malt touch of brown sugar. The tongue is surrounded by tiny bubbles of lively carbonation and at the same time the thickish smooth mouth lets the brew nicely slither down the gullet. The finish leaves a slightly dry white pepper and sharp yeast tongue. Complex and crafted... a nice sippin' beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2004 02:26:06 | More by frank4sail

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Deep ruby brown plum mahogany tone with a nice fluffy tan head leaves behind beautifully patterned webbed lacing so nice layers thick and coat on the sides of my WATOU St. Bernardus glass. Aroma: Pine cone scented hops are the first scent to fill up my senses, with a plethora of fruit tones apricot, mango, pineapple, rich fig brandy mixtures awesome esters at work adding crisp red apples tops it off. Taste: Banana like characteristic followed by a flood of alcohol taste the fruit tones in between the wave of alcohol and sweetness is soothing complex huge ale that has earned it's way to the top 50 Best of BA list. When you stop and think about it, it is pretty amazing that such a small bottle packs such a powerful punch. Mouthfeel: Silky soft tone medium bodied ale this brew is silky smooth. Drinkability: Besides the higher abv not much stops you from wanting another bottle the Trappist ale in all it's glory simply amazing brew must try for any beer lovers out there.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2004 22:28:27 | More by WVbeergeek

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

One of the greats. Complex spice mix. Great at end of meal, after meat and such. Replaces a great wine. Rich richness fruit.

Batch Again almost two years later, yeasty smell, incredible mouthfeel. Chocolate malt.
About 8 years later, a wonderfully complex and easy drinking beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2004 04:01:44 | More by northyorksammy

daledeee

Iowa

4.5/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Ooops! What was that? I know I saw a couple large chunks as I poured this. Oh well, I forgot my vitamins today. I could hear the carbonation as I poured. Big airy head that went away to a fine lace. Nose was exceptional. Catch it quick; the real good smells go away. Spice, banana, other fruits.

Taste is earthy with a mixture of fruits and chocolate. A sweet burst at first. Good bite and mouthfeel. Mouth is left with a chocolate flavor.

This is a dramatic beer. Nothing is bashful. Maybe it is just the day. Guess I better buy a 10 next trip. It's been a while. This is a fine brewery.

Happy New year. Cheers.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2003 23:47:52 | More by daledeee

HappyHourHero

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev -11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Crackles like a soda when poured. The head is oatmeal in color with a few brown floaties in it. Lots of sediment at the bottom of the dark brown beer. The aroma is of malt, nuts, caramel, and a little alcohol infused plum. Slightly bitter chocolate, roasted malt,and a bit of hazelnut coffee round out the flavor. The body is lighter than I expected, but solid enough to hold the flavors. A good beer, but I don't think I'll be plopping down the $4-5 a bottle very often.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2003 15:42:17 | More by HappyHourHero

beergeek279

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in the 11.2 oz. bottle, into the St. Bernardus goblet. The color is a dark copper, with a thick white head that goes nowhere. The smell is a dry yeastiness. The taste is dry, with a hint of floweriness in the beer, and a strong yeastiness in the aftertaste; alcohol is not noticable. Mouthfeel is very well carbonated. Drinkability, definitely could have a few of these.

Another excellent Trappist, though not quite as good as the 10 (then again, what can be?). Still, if you prefer a drier taste, this will interest you. I still will likely have this one in the future.

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2003 01:46:32 | More by beergeek279

merlin48

Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2 oz bottle with "29 08 06" freshness date. Pours an interesting murky chestnut into a goblet, with a large light tan head that looks like a permanent fixture. Tremendous frothy lacing. Fresh baked bread comes to mind with first whiff, then sweet malt and fruitcake. Plenty of carbonation in the mouth, even fizzy, and somewhat chewy. Surprisingly, alcohol seems more noticeable than with the Rochefort 10. Sweet malt dominates the palate, with definite notes of spiciness present. Dark fruits like raisins and plums emerge midway and balance the ample alcohol warmth. This is a burpy ale, but the hops are subdued. Fig and date flavors emerge as room temperature nears, but there is an alcohol burn that doesn't seem to belong, in spite of the 9.2% abv. Finishes dry, with a baked bread aftertaste.

A fine Belgian, but not in the same league as its big brother, Rochefort 10, which I gave 5's across the board. I found the carbonation and alcohol burn distracting, which I didn't detect in the 10.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2003 20:18:25 | More by merlin48

drewbage

California

4/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sampled from a bottle at the Stuffed Sandwich.

So it's one last beer before the road, Jack. I've had all of your samples of these Xmas beers. What next?

Why not a Rochefort 8 for the road?

This beer pours into the glass with a low brown foam topping a hazy burnished orange brown beer.

The aroma is a mix of ovaltine from the malt and chocolate tones and as the CO2 evolves, a soft cinnamon appears.

The flavor at first matches the late nose, all cinnamon and ovaltine with a touch of grassy hop character, but as the beer transitions to the finish it grows progressively drier and nuttier allowing the spices to pick up and blend into the next sip.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2003 21:02:28 | More by drewbage

Ardon

Ontario (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Dense rich head with a very cappucino look. Dark brown body. Very heavy carbonation. Fizzy.

Smell: Lovely roasted nutty scent.

Taste: Roasted dark chocolate on the front. Coffee bean and carrot cake with an intense bitterness on the finish. Possibly the longest aftertaste of any beer I've sampled.

Mouthfeel/Drinkability: Too much fizzy carbonation combined with a strong alcohol presence and intense bitterness just equaled overload on my mouth.

Notes: I understand what other people may see in this brew, but it's just not me. A little too intense overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2003 22:17:10 | More by Ardon

rkhaze

California

4.38/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured a dark cloudy reddish brown with a small dense creamy head and some suspended yeast bits. Aromas of earthy sweet malt, carmelized red fruit and a mild yeast presence.
Nice complex flavor. Sweet malt, dark fruit, brown sugar, a bit of chocolate and a spicy hoppiness. The alcohol is hidden very well but comes out a little on the aftertaste.
Great, smooth creamy mouthfeel with good carbonation. Rich and belly warming.

Serving type: bottle

12-09-2003 01:11:28 | More by rkhaze

sulldaddy

Connecticut

4.3/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I pour this from a 33cl bottle into my goblet and it pours very dark brown with hints of ruby included. A small creamy white head foams up slightly and dissipates to form just a thin layer along the surface of the brew. The aroma is very complex, yeasty, fruity, and overall general sweetness prevelant. Maybe a little toffee. Just a little alcohol as well. The first taste reveals very light body and fine yet sharp carbonation. THere are hints of cherry and overall tanginess in the flavor and the brew feels like a champagne in my mouth. The tangy, flavor is strong and lingers in my mouth long after I swallow. This is a very complex taste I am experiencing! As the brew warms I detect just a hint of sour on the finish and some stronger bready tastes as well.
This is one tasty brew!

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2003 21:28:34 | More by sulldaddy

Rastacouere

Quebec (Canada)

4.08/5  rDev -6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

bottled from bistro des bières belges: Dark and brown body with almost no carbonation. The small head doesn't last long. Complex yet light aroma of malt sweetness from chocolate and blackberries. Well-hidden alcohol in mouth, very malty. Complex in the sense I've got a hard time identifying the flavors.. what fruit was that? was that chocolate hiding in that black corner? was that toffee for a second? A fun game for a few sips which I rapidly replaced by the desire to drink it slowly while balancing and dreaming of a better world.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2003 23:30:40 | More by Rastacouere

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep Chestnut colored body is topped by a thick fluffy tan head. Dark fruity aromas accented by roasted malt and a touch of hops. Wow, the taste is powerful, yet subtle. Fruity, yet not sweet. Solid, but finshes dry. Alcoholic warmth in the throat, but not on the nose. Powerful brew, light body. A great example of craftmanship. As it's nearly a religious experience, I'll savor this one into Sunday Morning.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2003 04:43:57 | More by aaronh

moulefrite

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A damn nice brew! Change your mind about beer if you taste this one for the first time perhaps. Awesome deep orange/ruby color. Decent head and stick yet neither retain, and lose points because. Deep and perfumed aromatics-vannila sugar and english toffee. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with perfect carbonation. The baby sister to the #10, this beer is relatively crisp and less cheesy,still brings on the blue cheese, yet in a mellower manner. Some melon and soft chocolate notes can also be found. The beer finishes clean and bright-a super beer to stuff a stocking with!

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2003 03:30:44 | More by moulefrite

Jon

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Tawny, muddy brown hue with a sticky, creamy head that leaves great lace and sticks around for the duration of the brew. Aromas of yeast, sweet, candied malt, chocolate and esters revealing dark fruit fill the air. One sip reveals a wonderfully complex brew. Dried apricot, chocolate, dates, and sweet malt enlighten the palate while traces of alcohol and delicately spicy hops linger on the finish creating a somewhat vinous character. Wonderfully smooth, immensely creamy mouthfeel. It doesn't get much better than this. Incredibly drinkable, this is one awesome beer from the masterful monks at Rochefort. Like the Rochefort 10, this is simply a must-try.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2003 04:42:51 | More by Jon

saltydog

New York

4.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Brown, dark, slightly cloudy. But head is pale, and rocky. Aroma: Candy sugar, dark malt and spices (including coriander). Big sweet aroma. Flavor: MaltyMalty, raisiny carmael malt flavors. Spices evident.Finish: Very dry, because of nicely balanced spices. Drinkability: is quite high for such a strong beer, added immeasurably by dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

10-21-2003 01:38:23 | More by saltydog

steelreign

New York

4.7/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

OK, LongBeachBum took the words out of my mouth on this particular masterpiece. Simply put, one of the finest beers in the world for all the right reasons. Murky brown pour with smallish off white head. Sweet and dark, fruity notes along with plenty of malt and Belgian yeasty funk, this smells wonderful. Taste is oh so smooth and so very complex, it makes it difficult to analyze. All I know, or care to know, is that this has everything I love in a Belgian dark ale and nothing else. The aromas translate well into the taste. Ridiculous drinkability, and a smooth and creamy mouthfeel that is beyond. Wow, I am truly blessed ot have been able to sample this in my lifetime. Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

10-13-2003 15:32:08 | More by steelreign