Trappistes Rochefort 8 - Brasserie de Rochefort

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

beerguy101

California

4.58/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown color. Large head. Aroma is malty, cherry with a touch of chocolate and brandy. A full bodied trappist ale. Big malt flavors. Chocolate, cherries and toffee. Touches of banana, vanilla and raisins. Well balanced. Extremely well balanced. Hides the 9.3% alcohol very well. I think I like this one better than the 10. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is clean and smooth. Aftertaste is lightly bitter.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2003 03:54:42 | More by beerguy101

TheLongBeachBum

California

4.83/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

I first had this in 1995, & I drank it a few times since. I most recently managed to sneak a Trappistes Rochefort 8, my first in the States, whilst attending a So.Cal. gathering of fellow BA’s at O’Brien’s in San Diego a few months ago. I so wanted to write a Review for this beer then, but it seemed like taking a Black & White photograph of a Firework Display. So when I saw bottles of this on display at a local store recently – I realized it was time for me to properly review this Godly beer.

It sits there after being poured – and stares at you; “pick a fault” it says. Well I can’t. It just looks perfect. On the desk it’s a lovely dark brown color, but put a light behind it and the radiant ruby red character shines through – go on – do it and see what I mean! The head is a thick ½” brown smooth mass. Wow, this looks fucking good!

Inhale this beauty – exhale slowly –
Inhale this beauty – exhale slowly –
Inhale this bea….

A real treat – THIS is what it’s all about! This IS Belgium.

Starts with a thick chewy taste of chocolate malts. Builds to a malty middle, biscuit and grains melt in the presence of alcohol. Caramel and a partially eaten ‘Twix’ like saliva build towards the end. Oats ride in the ending that is very smooth. The alcohol has a bitter-sweet twang, whilst the beer never reveals its secrets, it does reveal its sheer CLASS. This is quite awesome.

Huge mouthfeel – I’m an atheist, but this is God’s Beer.

Immense Drinkability – get me Crate, a Truck full. Highly quaffable.

Overall: Make no mistake – 2 clicks down from Trappistes Rochefort 10, the “8” is by no means 20% less of a beer. This is a Classic! This is the Prince Harry to Prince William – unlike the 10, it doesn’t have to be on its best behavior all the time, its waiting in the wings for the merest slip.

People ask me why I have gone to Belgium every year since 1994, surely if you have been once, why go again? – Well, the answer lies deep in this Bottle.

One of the Worlds Greatest Beers
...and if this was the last beer that I ever tasted...
...you would hear no complaints from me!

Serving type: bottle

10-11-2003 06:06:54 | More by TheLongBeachBum

bditty187

Nebraska

4.35/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Murky brown hue, good depth, thick beige head. Sunk down like it was a nitro… cool. Excellent retention. The bouquet blasted my sense with big, harsh, dry chocolate… but that only lasted for a spilt second (and it never really returned). Sweet alcohol emerged as did tart dark fruits, candy-sugar… good potency… inviting. Dry, roasty malts, wood, faint pepper, sweet maltiness, distant alcohol construct a very tasty palate but it’s not very boastful. In the finish a note of fruit arrives… the aftertaste is softly woody. The warmer it got the yeastier and breadier it became (but not irately so like Chimay). Complex… this beer is tranquil. The mouthfeel is lightly creamy, smooth but thin. Chill out and sip this lovely treat. Very charming… find it, try it, love it! I’d buy this over the “10”. Blasphemy?

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2003 20:15:24 | More by bditty187

GreenCard

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: dark brown, slightly opaque, big fluffy tannish foam compacts to a dense creamy layer, a few specks of lace

Aroma: rich maltiness (slightly caramelly), clovey, a bit roasty, slight banana-like fruitiness, ethanol, figs, dark spices

Flavor: warm blanket of malt threaded with a subtle continental hop flavor, nicely balanced on the point of a not-too-sharp hop bitterness, slightly yeasty, peppery alcohol note, a bit spicy, deeply rich flavor profile with a dryish finish, semi-sweet aftertaste that draws you back for another sip

Mouthfeel: medium to medium-light body, gentle carbonation, big bloom of belly-warmth

Overall Impression: Man, what a fantastic Trappist! This one blew my socks off when I first tried it. So much so, I tossed the review aside to more completely enjoy it. This one got added to my favorites list immediately.

And to think, I can just go down to my supermarket to buy it for about 1 euro (less than a dollar)! (Sorry, I couldn't resist rubbing it in!)

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2003 17:52:38 | More by GreenCard

PhantomVodoo

Ohio

4.03/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Cloudy deep brown in color with a nice tan head that left lace. Good amount of yeast sediment in the bottle which was quickly added to the beer.
Aroma came off as mostly alcohol and a vinous, vinegar character. Malt depth was underneath that.

Taste shows a deep, rich malt character. The beer has a slight sour, vinegar character to it. This is usually a big problem for me, but for some reason it doesn't really distract that much from this particular beer. Nicely balanced. Slight fruit. Relatively smooth for a 9.2%ABV dark Belgian ale.

Mouthfeel has a lot of tiny carbonation bubbles in it, but is otherwise good.
Very drinkable for this style of beer with the alcohol content it has.

Overall, a good beer I enjoyed drinking, but not one I'll be in any hurry to pay $6 for a bottle again. Not a great beer to me like it is to a lot of people.

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2003 00:07:45 | More by PhantomVodoo