Trappistes Rochefort 6 - Brasserie de Rochefort

BlackBelt5112203

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

330 mL bottle poured into a chalice at cellar-fridge temperature.

L – Amber-brown color with a 2-finger creamy, frothy cream-colored head. Fantastic retention as the head never completely goes away but not really much lacing. Mostly clear with a good amount of bubbles.

S – Ah, the wonderful complexity of Belgian beers. Caramel and toasted malts, apples, some cherries, some raisins, and the peppery aroma of Belgian yeast.

T – If I thought the aroma was complex, the taste is throwing me for a loop. It starts off sweet with caramel, bready, and nutty malt and picks up some apples and raisins as the taste progresses. Some subtly spicy peppery yeast creeps in toward mid-taste, and some flavors that are difficult to pinpoint become apparent at the finish. I’m thinking some floral, almost rose-like, hops but I’m really not sure. Either way, this is a very tasty beer.

F – Medium-to-full-bodied with great carbonation, a very creamy and smooth mouthfeel, and a very dry finish. It’s pretty astonishing how the dryness builds throughout the experience of taking a sip of this beer.

O – This is a fantastic beer and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Over the past year, I’ve been trying as many beers as I could get my hands on. Recently, I’ve actually been getting kind of bored with trying different beers as many of them have started to taste the same. I’ve been getting more and more underwhelmed by a lot of the ones I’ve tried, and so I’ve become more interested in drinking a small rotation of beers that I’ve tried and loved. This beer right here has shown me something new and wonderful and has given me a new sense of purpose in going out and drinking as many different beers as I possibly can. I have a feeling I’m going to be going through a lot of Trappist beers in the near future.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 02:14:17 | More by BlackBelt5112203

spoony

Colorado

3.85/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

From an 11.2 oz bottle (marked 281216, which I assume is best by December 28, 2016) into a chalice.

A-Light brown in color like black tea, but very murky and swampy. The head maxed out at one and one-half fingers of tan foam and dissipated into a thick cap that never really went away. No real lacing.

S-Mild aromas of milk chocolate and carob scented malts, along with some raisins and a lightly sweet touch of molasses. Also some whiffs of apple-scented tart alcohol. A unique mixture.

T-The taste is lightly nutty to open with and the nutty flavor accompanies minor notes of the aforementioned carob, as well as some caramel and raisin, i.e., typical dubbel. The beer dries out on the mid-palate and gives a lightly oaked feeling. The package finishes with a lightly spicy alcohol.

M-Moderate to high carbonation (for the style) gives the beer a lighter feeling than other dubbels. After the carbonation settles, the brew gets a little watery and thin feeling.

O-l am a fan of dubbels and this one fell solidly in the middle of the pack for me. The smell and flavor profiles were nicely balanced and unique, but a little underwhelming compared to some of my favorites. The carbonation was also a little heavy-handed and distracting at first, but when it faded towards the end of the glass, the brew got a little watery. Perhaps my expectations were too high in light of the Rochefort 8 and 10, which I love, but this 6 is merely serviceable. For the price, I think there are better options.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 01:24:04 | More by spoony

CA_Infidel2o9

4.8/5  rDev +15.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 330ml to a Tulip

A- murky brown w/ floaties, 1/4" off white head

S- citrus, spice, caramel, apple cider, earthy, orange, roasted nutty malts

T- awesomely follows the nose, the apple is very tart

M- medium to creamy, high carbonation, acidic apple tartness tingles and curls the tongue

O- my favorite rochefort yet! Nutty, and fruity, and earthy, it's perfect for this time of year! The only negatives i can think of is the almost nonexistant head and the high crispy carbonation. Other then that, she's glorious.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2012 19:50:02 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

PeterIngemi

Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 11.2oz bottle into a tulip.

A: pours a deep brown with a slightly ruby hue, with an aggressive finger and a half of slightly brown head. Settles to a 3/4 finger head that remains through out.

S: the aroma is remarkable subtle and remarkably pleasing at the same time. Light dark fruits, particuarly rasin, brown sugar, light citrus sweetness, apple. Very nice.

T: yum, this is really tasty, taste is much like I described in the aroma, a nice bright citrusy sweetness, brown sugar, caramel, some light notes of dark fruit, an almost cherry note, a bit more apple then i got in the aroma. very delicious

M: light medium body with moderate effervescent carbonation, nice lush mouthfeel.

O: this is a great beer, well rounded, delicious, great mouthfeel, can't ask for much more.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 02:21:56 | More by PeterIngemi

roblowther

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Can't belive I never reviewed this. Someone strip me of my "I wanna be a monk" card. Pours dark brown with a very noisy, frothy light tan head that settles quickly without much lace. Smell is caramel malt, some citrus fruits, and a hint of wood. Taste is plums, followed by a dry woodiness. There is some citrus up front but when the wood hits....this just sounds wrong somehow...it dries out completely. The finish is dry and a touch sharp. IMHO it is a perfect example of what a dubbel tastes like. The mouthfeel is aggresively carbonated and seems a bit lighter than you'd expect from the taste or the look. Overall, its fantastic. It's only held back by the yeast strain constantly reminding me of the 10, which has the same flavor notes but more complexity. But this is a great, great example of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2012 23:33:41 | More by roblowther

mooseo

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

330ml bottle into goblet.

A - Rich amber brown with a titanic off-white head.

S - Subtle dark fruit, spicy Belgian yeast, bread.

T - Bready malts and light dark fruit (plum, raisin) up front. Brown sugar, tangy yeast, and nutty flavors throughout. The finish brings in spice, fig and toasted malt.

M - Light-medium body. Creamy, silky smooth and refreshing. High carbonation, slightly dry finish.

O - A light, extremely drinkable Belgian ale. The flavors blend together quite nicely, and the alcohol is masked very well. Subtle yet complex.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 05:23:22 | More by mooseo

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from an 11.2oz bottle into a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a coppery brown color, with a short off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains apples, Belgian yeast, caramelized malts, some spice and a faint touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out with mildly sweet flavors of caramel, apples, brown sugar and some spice. Then some breadiness from Belgian yeast and a hearty malt character comes in. The hops presence is very mild but complementary and brings a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and a little smooth, medium body, medium-to-high carbonation, slightly sticky finish.

O: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, good kick, good representation of style, it’s a decent Belgian beer, but I didn’t think it was anything special.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 03:04:11 | More by TheManiacalOne

pkalix

California

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

dark, mahogany brown, little head.
i'm getting no smell whatsoever from this glass. maybe it's my nose? how do i rate it if i cannot smell it?
taste is.... a little sweet, some nice malt. earthy. tad bitter at the end.
overall, this is another of my all time favorites. i love the smoothness, the ease it goes down, and the flavors i get with it while getting a nice, higher abv feel....
at the end, i could smell what was left in the glass. and i liked that, so i gave it a similar 4.5....

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 00:40:50 | More by pkalix

artdob

California

3.35/5  rDev -19.3%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Had the 8 version the other day, and am sampling this 6 version tonight. Head is less dominant and lasting than on the 8 version. This one does pour darker however - orange brown.

On the nose - sweetness, oranges - very inviting.

Taste is modest and light. Oranges, light chocolate, iced tea, toasted notes.

A healthy amount of carbonation. This I'm finding to somewhat distract from the taste. Somewhat of a seltzer water sensation. Balanced with a creaminess as well.

Anxious to sample the 10 version from this series which is in the queue.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 05:02:47 | More by artdob

Twincrasher

4.75/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Very good. Some particulates. Proteins maybe. Nice copper color.

S: Candy caramel. Really a treat. I like this better than the 8. Surprises me.

T: So nice. Sweet but not cloying. Very well cut by alcohol. Will be very very good with meat dish.

M: Very smooth finish, very fun.

O: Excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 04:14:32 | More by Twincrasher

Dentist666

Russian Federation

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours murky copper beer with excellent, absolutely resistant fizzy off-white head. Rich aroma of yeasts, caramel, toffee & dark fruits. Very good flavour, quite similar to aroma: fruity, zesty, not very sweet, of course, lighter than other Rocheforts. Good carbonation, full body.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 13:50:19 | More by Dentist666

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

11.2oz bottle with a best by stamp putting this at an '09 vintage. Poured into a trappist goblet, the brew appears a polished color of amber to light mahogany. A finger of yellowish stained froth rises to the surface and audibly fizzes away. Rising bubbles of carbonation are agitated from solution by some imperfections in the glass and maintain a film across the top of the brew. When held to the ligh, it has a bit of ruby to orange coloration through the body and lighter hints of golden to yellow around the edges. Brilliant looking brew.

The aroma is immediately recognizable as Rochefort. Admittedly, I have drank a lot of the 10 since it is among my favorite quads and I have consumed several vintages of 8. This is my maiden voyage with the 6 and even though, it seem familiar. There is a scent of sweet dark belgian candy sugar somewhat like brown sugar but with a citrus to floral touch. Raisins come to mind but there is a persistent floral to fruity ester or possibly hop quality still present mixing with an overall perfume-like essence. At times, I almost get a feel of green tea across the nose.

The taste includes an immediate hint of dark candy sugar to raisin quality but without really any sweetness. The flavor is there, but it is dried out and leaves almost a bready inclusion of maltiness. Fruity to floral hops also play into the mix with a hint of citrus and mild solvent alcohol. For 7.5%, I almost feel like this has the strongest alcohol impact of all of the Rochefort offerings (perhaps because of the thinner body?) As it warms up, it almost has a dusty touch to the finish or perhaps mildly oxidized with again a very mild focus on something along the lines of astringent, strong tea.

This is a medium to lighter bodied brew with an effervescent level of carbonation. It is quite dried out but surprisingly carries plenty of malty flavorings without the residual sugars. For more than 7%, it is quite drinkable and snappy/crisp into the finish. The hop flavoring here is herbal to earthy and well utilized to keep the alcohol and malt flavors balanced. This is Rochefort, no surprise to the quality here. I could/would/should drink this on a more regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 02:24:58 | More by stakem

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

i feel like this is a little less exciting than the 8 and the 10. it pours hazy hand redish brown, not dark and not light, kind of dense looking. a very very robust tan head than doesnt subside at all. the nose is real spicy from the yeast, and the malt profile is big and sweet. the only problem is the the flavor doesnt really come through from the nose to the taste, and every thing is sort of muted on the palate. there is a nice fruity element to this one, but all the flavors are faded except for the yeast. the mouthfeel is great, really light and airy for a beer of such size. its real easy drinking, and dangerously so at this abv. im not sure i had the freshest bottle in the world, but i wasnt amazed by this.

Serving type: bottle

10-14-2012 00:38:25 | More by StonedTrippin

Maakun

Afghanistan

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This one was tasted almost exactly 4 years before best before date. Served quite cold.

Pours a dark amber/copper. Small off-white head that disappears quickly. Big carbonation going on.

The nose is not very strong, but that might also be due to my allergies. Some yeast and sweetness, dried peach maybe.

Taste is great. A lot of fruit (plums, apples), quite fresh. Not nearly as sweet as the 8 or a lot of other darker Belgian beers. Some cake (with icing maybe) but not overpowering at all. After it warmed up a bit the yeast comes through together with the malt and a hint of burn sugar, which makes it even better. There's hardly any alcohol on the palate. Fades to a nice bitterness, with some small citrus touches.

Mouthfeel is again very carbonated (which I like a lot), feels a bit heavier than the taste would suggest, very smooth and drinkable.

Overall I really like this one. It's very drinkable, yet has a great character, and most important for me: it feels really fresh and not too sweet. A very balanced beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2012 18:48:47 | More by Maakun

johnnnniee

New Hampshire

4.18/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy deep golden/copper color with a good sized bubbly off white head that quickly dissipates to a cap on top. Smells of caramel, brown and burnt sugars, dark fruits, and yeasty phenols. The flavor is just what the aroma described it would be. Light and fruity with lots of dark and brown sugars with some yeasty flavors. Medium body with an insane amount of carbonation and a sweet sugary and bubbly mouthfeel. This is a very nice flavorful Belgian strong ale. I would have liked a bit less carbonation, but I say that about a lot of Belgian beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 18:55:07 | More by johnnnniee

stalker5

New York

4.43/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured out a nice mahogany brown with an off-white head that retained very well. Smells of bread/yeast yeast with some fruit and raisin notes. Taste has a slight breadyness to it, with the alcohol being hidden very well. Mouthfeel is well carbonated with a wet finish. Not my favorite, would prefer the 10 but still a great drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 12:35:41 | More by stalker5

markovlad

4.75/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Excellent beer, I have tried it before and its one of my favorites so far. I'm still a beginner here so I save 5s for maybe something better :)

A-bottle, looks nice :)

S-no strong smell

T-not to strong, relatively simple, but tasty.

M-has a little breeze in it, I love it.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 19:33:12 | More by markovlad

tectactoe

Michigan

3.94/5  rDev -5.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Poured from an 11.2 oz bottle into a tulip. Dark brown color with intense haziness and quite a bit of lightly colored sediment floating around. Not sure if the sediment was meant to be, but it did not affect the mouth feel at all. Super huge, foamy, off-white head thanks to the volatile nature of the brew. The head settled a bit around a quarter-inch and followed the top of the beer all the way down. It was excellent, but didn't leave too much lacing.

The nose is full of lots of roasted malts, a deep, sweet, caramel, and a nice handful of dark fruits, like dates, raisins, and figs. A hint of clove is present as well, as it is in many Belgian style brews. The taste begins with a slight sweetness and a sharp hit of carbonation. As the beer warms up in your mouth, the malt starts to shine through, along with some of the caramel and barley flavors. A hint of the fruit is noticeable as well, present from the beginning until the end. The mouth is fairly thick and very creamy, thanks in part to the wonderful head that lasted the entire way down. Left the palette feeling a tad sticky and not too dry.

Great Trappist brew that everyone should try (at least once). The flavor profile, while complex, worked together nicely - the sign of a Belgian beer done correctly.

Serving type: bottle

10-01-2012 18:09:30 | More by tectactoe

mick303

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a huge 4 fingers of off-white foam lingering on top of the beer, recedes leaving a good lacing. Colour is a medium dark slightly ruddy brown, high haziness.

Nose on this has notes of rich caramel and roast malts. A solid floral character as well, which brings a nice lightness. Pineapple, Meyer lemon, and clove notes. Quite lively, interesting with very good balance.

Taste initially shows some sweetness before the rich maltiness develops. Caramel malt, apples, nutmeg spice notes. Shows really good complexity. Strong fruitiness on the palate. It is very energetic and dynamic on the palate, really intense flavour profile, a lot crammed in.

The Mouthfeel is medium bodied, and the high level of carbonation gives a real crisp bite to it, maybe a bit on the high side. Really drinkable, alcohol gives a bit of spice but otherwise nicely incorporated. Aftertaste is quite crisp and fresh.

Another top-class brew. Excellent profile, great taste incorporating a dynamic and refreshing complexity with the pleasant maltiness. Seek it out.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 17:48:18 | More by mick303

mscudder

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Grabbed all the Rochefort's for a proper tasting. Into a snifter. Begin!

A - Some really nice smoke upon popping the bottle. A rich, ruby inspired, brown with a nice fluffy two-finger head. Good retention and poor lacing.

S - Musky notes here: dark fruits, Belgian yeast and caramel malts.

T - The first time I had this brew I saw nothing but red wine, although due to some palette development I can detect my errors and the apples that are flowing out of this glass. The alcohol warms the sweetness, combined with a touch of figs, into a beautiful profile.

M - A medium body with big, yet not overwhelming carbonation. It aids in a soft coating of the palette, rich with a apple-fizzyness.

O - This is pretty drinkable for a BSDA, perhaps a bit misleading in the style given I do not particularly consider an apple as a dark fruit. This is one to savor.

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 05:44:46 | More by mscudder

Uncle_Jimmy

California

3.55/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle on sale at whole foods poured into a tulip

A- lots of effervescence reddish brown murky color with a fine tan head that dissipates to a thin layer just on top. bubbles up through solution like a champagne

S- yeasty, definite bread, prune, fig even some dark stone fruit. slightly sourdough bread.

T- slight toffee, whole wheat bread , peppery, a little gram cracker in the finish. very low hop character. Some warming alcohol but it isn't harsh.

M- even with all the bubbling this is a little dryer than expected.

O- I could see myself enjoying this beer with a steak, I would like to try the 12. Not an everyday drinker but I could definitely enjoy this on a rainy day.

Serving type: bottle

09-21-2012 17:11:14 | More by Uncle_Jimmy

pmarlowe

California

4.18/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Tulip glass.

A: Pours a dark, mostly opaque copper with a finger and a half of nice tan, fluffy head. Bubbles are on the larger end of the spectrum, but uniformly sized. Good retention but minimal lacing.

S: Dark fruit and malt, bread and spice, fruitcake

T: Light bready malt, some fruit, and a lengthy finish that really comes together nicely.

M: Medium body and high carbonation, higher than I'd prefer. Like a Dr. Pepper. Creamy texture.

O: Very easy drinking, but still has the complexity of a Belgian. I think I like this better than 8 but not quite as much as 10 (though the styles are distinct).

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 06:21:56 | More by pmarlowe

Etan

Illinois

3.55/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

11.2oz bottle. Bottled August, 2010.

A: Pours a light cola brown (think cream soda) with a huge light tan head.

S: Cherry, nutmeg, raisin bread. Sweet and slightly thin.

T: Drying, less sweet than the aroma. Lightly medicinal, figs, raisins, biscuit, birch, mild syrupy cherry. Very dry finish.

M: Fizzy, slightly too thin.

O: Definitely has that classic trappist ester profile, but this one's a bit thin and the carbonation is overly fizzy.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 01:14:28 | More by Etan

klukoff

California

3.93/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - In the bottle, not poured.

S - A lovely sweet smell, with a note of cherry and spice.

T - Simpler than expected. Aftertaste is more bitter than the smell had me awaiting.

M - Lighter and with more carbonation than I expected.

Overall, I found the taste to be more too one-dimensional for me to rate it as a great beer as opposed to just a good one.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 16:02:04 | More by klukoff

Beeker

4.35/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a tulip glass.

A - has a deep cherry mahogany look that I am a really big fan of, head dissipates quickly, almost no lacing

S - smells almost entirely like wine, very fruity, and a hint of floral

T - tastes like a high sugar content wine with strong fig notes. Also, tastes like a toasted sugar glaze with a strong sweet finish. I also get hints of oak and a strong molasses taste.

M - light mouth feel with light carbonation

Overall - I wish I liked figs because this would be my favorite beer if I did. I thought it was an exceptional Belgian ale and was a pleasure to drink, I recommend it.

Serving type: bottle

08-12-2012 04:47:34 | More by Beeker