Trappistes Rochefort 8 - Brasserie de Rochefort

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

putnam

Michigan

4.68/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

It displays quite an attitude...all towering egg-like brown spun sugar dome... evil-looking beer ..."not-beer"
The first sip is more like a first "chew." The smell is one of dank, sweaty, super corn. There is mocha on the attack together with baked berries, cream, beans and roasted bees.
Really.
Not-"B" flavors include soda, caramel, industry, fantasy, universe ...
Someone touched Cooper's Sparkling Ale with steamed hops and broiled toast!
What a parcel of humancana!
These are super fresh and obtained at Merchant's in Dearborn.
Zowie!

Serving type: bottle

09-08-2003 04:11:03 | More by putnam

ADR

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Review of bottle cellared 19 months (Rochefort is on the list of MN re-formulated distributors, so I hope to replace the bottle). Still, the date (November of 2004) indicates that there's years left in this bottle...

Hazy chestnut color with no light transmission and a minimal 1/8 inch tan head that forms slight rings but minimal lace. Aroma is kick-ass and dank, with apricot and a spicy Fig Newton impression. Wonderful mouthfeel, coating and slightly oozing alcohol -- and marked with a malt monster medley of rum-soaked holiday fruit, molasses, bitter java, distinct carob, and re-inforced by aroma. Fully rounded profile, nicely mellow yet spiced in a thick manner above and beyond tossing stuff in an ordinary Ale. An equal or better (need a face-to-face) when compared with its big brother Trappistes Rochefort 10. Great beer, great drinkablity for style.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2003 19:42:05 | More by ADR

Sixpack595

Michigan

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

All in all it was a good beer, but not up to my expectations. Plums,pears, bananas and spices all appeared, but none stole the show in the aroma department. Malty with a nice bitter finish. Alcohol was well hidden, appearance was good...not much else to say. There are better examples of the breed.

Serving type: bottle

08-14-2003 07:15:34 | More by Sixpack595

Sigmund

Norway

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

(330 ml bottle). This superb Trappist ale pours with an enormous thick head, colour is cloudy dark brown. It has a lovely aroma of oak, leather, dried fruits and a hint of cigar tobacco. Flavour is malty and spicy with a warming mouthfeel, otherwise alcohol is well hidden. Dangerously drinkable! Moderate bitterness, rounded aftertaste. This ale truly belongs in the Premier League of Beers!

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2003 19:18:38 | More by Sigmund

RoyalT

Ohio

4.72/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance – Very dark orange-brown with a gorgeous head. Once it settled, the interior of the glass was covered with lacing and the head itself fell in “pits.” It looked like lava formations at the beginning of time.

Smell – The aroma of malts and (mostly) fruits are hit hard with the 9.2 ABV. This almost smells like hard liquor. The fruity (orange, cherry, apple, pineapple, cranberry) aroma that is awesome.

Taste – This is very interesting. The complex mix of fruits, along with the strong alcohol, gives this aspect of the beer a “mixed drink” kind of flavor. I make a party favorite drink with orange, cranberry, pineapple-apple juice, and rum and this is similar on the front end of The Eight.

The malt kicks in though and you know this is a beer. This brew is also loaded with sugar that comes out (even more so) at the end. This is one helluva beer.

Mouthfeel – There’s not a lot of carbonation here, but this is smooth considering the ABV. It’s more like taffy on your tongue then beer.

Drinkability – Way too drinkable for such a strong concoction. This one went down like silk.

Comments – I liken this beer an organic fresh fruit mix poured into fine Belgian malt. I don’t feel that I’ve done it justice in my review. There are a myriad number of other flavors that I can’t pick up. This is in a class all by itself.

Update: The 2004 vintage is more of the same. Recently, I was able to pick up more complexity in the nose. In particular I found some darker fruits like dates and figs and raised the Smell rating by 0.5.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2003 02:09:45 | More by RoyalT

StevieW

Florida

4.72/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Small brown Euro bottle. This one has been in my fridge over year. Best for date of 020504.

Another deep brown pour, no light penetrating its outer layer. Small tight tan head. Bottle swirl produces a thick, tan, yeasty leftover flavors to settle on the head.

Smells are what you would expect, except perfectly balanced and finished. Nice sweet rum soaked cherries, plums. Hints of earthy figs and sweet molasses. All dance around your nose and tease your tastebuds.
Flavors are super smooth and everywhere. Rum soaked cherries again. Rich juicy plums and figs. Sweetness and spicy goodness melt over your tongue. Nice noticable heat of abv brngs you back and begs another drink. This taste yeilds another rich creamy belgian yeast shot. Carmelized bananas, another spicy shot of alcohol. Subtle hints of toffee, cinnamon and everything else slide by your tastebuds. Unbelievable balance of flavors to this beers. Overall silky sweetness and flavors overwhelm me. Is there even a hint of chocolate in there. I wouldn't be surprised.
Medium bodied, nice fullness to it. Depth of flavors that grabs your attention. This one is to be savored. Selling at $8.99 locally but worth every penny. I would much rather savor this and keep it for a special occasion than your regular old $15 bottle of wine. Unbelievably great tasting. Who would have thought I would find so many great tasting beers in Florida ? You just need to start looking.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2003 20:42:11 | More by StevieW

Rocko

Sweden

4.05/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A clear dark brown brew together with a hard frothy lightbrown head. Quite foamy really and leaving a little nice lace. Fruity malt nose w/ apple and yeast. The taste is slightly bitter but fruity w/ raisins and spice. At 9.2% abv you can obviously sense the alcohol a bit and it warms nicely in the stomach. ;)

In some sense I was disappointed with this one, it's certainly a really good brew but this is what a high rating does. I'd recommend everyone this but don't expect anything over the top and you will like this alot!

Serving type: bottle

08-02-2003 16:08:58 | More by Rocko

Popsinc

Ontario (Canada)

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

Appearance: 330ml bottle. A murky brown pour with a lively, tan head. The head very slowly fades down and ultimatley is very small.

Smell: Big malty sweetness up front highlighted with brown-sugar, caramel, light chocoalte and a pinch of vanilla.

Taste: Unsweetened chocolate off the top followed by a caramel sweetness. Dark, rich maltiness in the body. The sweetness and rich complexities bend towards a dry and chalky finish. Lots of backbone. Great body. An exceptionaly full and complex beer. World class.

Mouthfeel: Lively and rich. Plenty of active carbonation. Spritzy finish.

Drinkablilty: A world class beer like this one is a year round favorite for me. I could have one anytime, with chocolate or as a night cap.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2003 15:46:26 | More by Popsinc

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

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

Dark brown colour going a little bit on the red. Nice head when pourred that does not disapear too quickly. Roasted malts and higher alcohols are first impression. Very hearthy beer with a caramalized aftertaste. As usual with Trapist, a very fine beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2003 15:08:22 | More by Phyl21ca

TheDM

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +3%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This brew poured a very large envigorated head of creamy fine light brown bubbles and a yeasty opaque light brown body. Its aroma was of a medium strength roasted malt. It had a very smooth complex palate with flavors of caramel malt and a very smooth but slightly tingly mouthfeel. I liked it better overall that the3 Rochefort 10. It had an excellent lacing.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2003 08:28:14 | More by TheDM

Realale

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Dark, mostly opaque mahogany. Big tight creamy beige head settles slowly to a rocky complete cap.

Nose is incredibly complex. Soaring notes of rum, wine, clove, orange rind, raisin, and a touch of roasty malt. All of this is supporting by a deep, rich malty base.

Very malty in the mouth, with a bit of sweetness. Lighter than expected, and lacks a lot of the complexity of the nose. Become a bit alcholic with time, and was not a good food beer at all, with food bringing the alcohol stingingly to the fore.

Great very fine mouthfeel, but not particularly long. May just need some time in the cellar to come together.

33cl bottle. Best before date of 11/12/07.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2003 07:18:55 | More by Realale

hotstuff

Indiana

4.68/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

First of all, I very, very much liked this brew versus the Rochefort 10. This was a much smoother tasting Rochefort than the 10. It poured a large invigorating tan head with fine-small bubbles. It had a fruity aroma to it and the lacing on the sides of my glass was fair. The body was light brown, yeasty, and murky. This was one fine smooth and enjoyable drink. However, I still prefer a Westy 12 over a Rochefort.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2003 19:12:13 | More by hotstuff

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.6/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Gorgeous cloudy, pale deep walnut in color with a plum-like purple tone, nice. If it weren't for a fast fading head it would recieve a 5 for sure, but it crumpled away pretty darn quick, it looked impressive for about 2 seconds, big, fluffy, dark ivory in color, leaves a skim and lace is in stringy patches that doesn't last either.

Aroma is quite complex of dark fruits and has a quality close to a dark wine, very rich & lush, alcohol is lightly present, I get mostly plum and figs, with notes mixing with raisins, banana, with a nice caramel candied sweetness of yummy malts with a bit of nuttyness in there as well, excellent subtlities in this nose.

Taste is super smooth and silky, a nice creamy sensation comes through right away, flows right in and starts laying down complex malts of caramel sweetness, toffee, and nuts, with a huge rich fruityness mixing in of banana bread, figs, raisins, and nice little light kick of spice hinting in a dark mandorine orange peel or similar to some kind of citrus peel, cloves maybe too? The alcohol makes a slight hindering towards the end. But especially after you get about half way through, head swimmingly goodness, ooooh yeah. One nice complex and subtle brew, amazing to think this is beer.

Very silky smooth feel, close to full, solid creamyness the whole way through. A nice mellowing pace and aged appeal to its character.
Quite a nice Belgian that stands the test of time....in a bottle.
Excellent stuff, yum!

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2003 08:59:06 | More by tavernjef

MJR

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev -3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours a rustic mahogany with hints of orange around the edges. The body is opaque, with no light getting through. The rich, creamy tan head starts out hefty, then shrinks a bit to a small cap with fantastic lacing.

Smell: The aroma is fruity and nutty with an undercurrent of alcoholic warmth. I pick up on a bit of banana and a phenolic note as well.

Taste: Like the 10, this brew has a bittersweet balance with lots of dark fruit flavors. There's a faint phenolic touch that adds to the spiciness, which has a suggestion of black pepper. A whift of breadiness adds even more depth. Adding the yeast sediment oddly gives a bit of sharpness to the flavor and highlights the sweetness. The aftertaste disappears rather quick, but that's forgivable.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a rich and chewy mouthfeel. Adding the yeast sediment adds a bit more body. Finishes with a touch of alcohol.

Drinkability: Quite good for it's strength. This brew would match really well with a cold night and a good book. Strange that I finally get around to reviewing it in June...

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2003 14:12:45 | More by MJR

BierReise

Florida

4.05/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Deep amber color with flat dense tan head. Fruity yeasty aroma with significant malt presence. Flavor is sweet with hints of berries. Malt is a near perfect blend. It's warming now and the flavor of cherries is coming out a little. Alcohol is not overbearing but effect is almost immediate. Mouthfeel is high effervescence yet smooth on the palate. Overall a well balanced and complex ale.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2003 13:36:54 | More by BierReise

jcalabre

California

4.53/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Oridark red/brown color w/ a large tan head. Rochefort 8 has an aroma of a wonderful bakery. The flavor has lots of notes of sweetness along w/ a not so subtle presence of alcohol. This is a world class beer. Originally sampled on 3 October 2002 from bottle.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2003 19:07:08 | More by jcalabre

86MonteSS

Connecticut

4.93/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Simply incredible. The beer store was out of Rochefort 10 so this one had to do. It did with gusto. It was a month or two since I tried 10, and this one definitely fills its big brother's shoes. These trappists mix fruit, nuts, and chocolate so well I'm surprised Cadbury's isn't out of business.

This is the kind of beer I want to have in my fridge all the time but unfortunately it's availability makes that impossible. But that's the way it always is, right?

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2003 20:15:57 | More by 86MonteSS

UncleJimbo

Massachusetts

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

330 mL brown bottle, capped, date stamped on label (080904), green cap.

This ale poured (carefully) a clear, deep garnet brown color with a few millimeters of creamy tan foam that settle to a film and left no lace. The smell was very nice: sweet, figs, raisins, caramel, oak, biscuit, vinous grapes, and a mild alcohol odor. The taste was mildly sweet with flavors of caramel, fruit (figs, apples, faint banana), and alcohol. There was also a bit of tartness, and a hint of floral hops in the background. The mouthfeel was creamy and smooth, medium-full bodied, with low carbonation. This was very drinkable as an after dinner drink. This beer tasted much better just below room temperature, and suffered when initially poured directly from the refridgerator.

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2003 22:36:32 | More by UncleJimbo

francisweizen

Australia

4.93/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

My 250th review and what an excellent beer to mark the ocassion! This bottle of Rochefort 8 poured a wonderful, dark brown colour into my Belgian beer chalice/goblet. This beer had a wonderfully fluffy head with very good retention. The aromas were of dark malts, alcohol, breads, spices, belgian sugars, yeast and hops. This beer almost smelled like an empty cookie jar or bread basket...liquid bread. This beer tasted wonderful. The heavy alcoholic flavor notes melded perfectly with the very hearty dark malt and liquid bread flavors. The mouthfeel was incredibly syrupy and thick and the drinkability was very good, especially for a beer weighing in at over 9% ABV!
Truly, one of the all-time greats!
Cheers to all BA's...I raise this glass to you!
Cheers!
-F

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2003 16:35:47 | More by francisweizen

clvand0

Kentucky

4.85/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours a dark murky brown with hints of red. This is the best beer I've ever had. It smells great and it tastes great. The aftertaste is even better than the flavor. Very smooth and completely satisfying. Extremely easy to drink and the alcohol is well masked.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2003 20:43:18 | More by clvand0

Garin

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

The beer poured with a thin but creamy and long-lasting head. In the goblet, it was reddish brown, and so dark that it was opaque. It did pour quite clearly, though, as I took some time to let it settle and I poured quite gently and carefully. A lot of sediment was left in the bottle.

Aromas of alcohol, sour cherries, hops, cinnamon, and malt were obvious immediately. Flavours of fruit (cherries and more), pleasant yeast, nutty malt, bitter hops add into an overall winey complexity. The mouth feel is full and rich, but the carbonation perks it up nicely and guards against it being cloying.

This bottle went down verrrrry nicely. I'll be looking for this one again.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2003 20:53:22 | More by Garin