Trappistes Rochefort 10 - Brasserie de Rochefort

doppelmeup

North Carolina

4.5/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark plum colored pour with a light tan head.

Fruity aromas - very wine-like in nature.

Rich, balanced flavors of dark fruits, berries and brown sugar.

Lingering flavors of fruit remain on the palate, however a rather dry finish in spite of that.

Overall a wonderful beer. Been looking forward to trying this for a while and i wasn't disappointed. ikt bit pricey to buy often, so it was a real treat.

Serving type: on-tap

08-24-2012 17:54:29 | More by doppelmeup

raoulduke37

California

4.33/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Beautiful Rochefort chalice from Father's Office. I was pleased to see it here. I have to say that I'm a little surprised as to how high this one is on the Best of BA

A - Beautiful dark quad, looks like raisins and beautiful lacing when first poured, which quickly dissipates.

S - Hard to detect anything too strong, definitely malts, ripe red/purple fruit.

T - Very good Quadrupel - hops are hidden, nice malt introduction with some cinnamon.

M - Good carbonation here, balances the sweetness.

D - A great sipping beer, for a special occasion.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2009 22:27:33 | More by raoulduke37

jcalabre

California

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Originally sampled 11 March 2002 at Pizzaport's Belgian Beerfest on draught. Rochefort 10 is a world class wonderful beer. The explosion of flavors in your mouth aren't to be missed. It has very light hop notes, but the plum, raisin & other flavors are gorgeous.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2003 08:06:25 | More by jcalabre

Falcon91Wolvrn03

California

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Appearance – A super dark amber brown color, with a nice very light brown head that sticks around for a long time, and lots of lacing. A little sediment at the bottom.

Smell – A wonderful sweet scent, unlike anything I can describe. Maybe brown sugar, toffee, malt, and cherry with a touch of chocolate. But it’s very unique, and that description may not do it justice.

Taste – The taste is just as unique as the smell. Malty, with brown sugar, port, and a uniqueness that I find difficult to describe.

Mouthfeel – Perfectly carbonated, incredibly smooth, and the 11.3% abv is exceptionally well hidden.

Drinkability – Highly drinkable. I tried this alongside all the top quadruples (except the Westvleteren, which I’m saving for a head to head competition with the best), and found this one to be the best.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 04:30:27 | More by Falcon91Wolvrn03

akang

California

4.36/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured a 330 mL bottle into a snifter.

A: Pours a cloudy dark brown with a head that disappears quickly.

S: Strong hints of plums and figs, and some yeastiness.

T: Initial hit of dark fruits and gives way to strong malt flavor and lingering spices. The alcohol content is incredibly well-hidden as well.

M: Medium carbonation that leaves a smooth and creamy finish. Easy to keep drinking.

O: I admittedly have had few quads relative to some other styles, but this is currently my favorite example of the style. Definitely happy that it is widely available.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 21:27:04 | More by akang

CardiacNP

Louisiana

4.93/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

Trappistes Rochefort
One of the Best Belgium Quads in the world. 11.3%ABV. (#2 quad & #8 rated beer in the world)

Aroma dark dark fruit plums and raisin

Appearance nice dark brown with a slight red hue with a small beige head with little lacing

Taste On if the best Belgium Quad I ever had. Full dark raisin / plum flavors with little Caramel notes. Extremely well balanced. The 11.3%ABV is well hidden

Mouthfeel. Lightly carbonated and mildly viscous. A little warmth on the aftertaste

Overall a must have beer if you are evaluating and enjoying Belgian Quads

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 01:11:04 | More by CardiacNP

RaphaelSC

Brazil

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

I poured it in my La Trappe goblet that is pretty much similar to the Rochefort goblet.

A:It pours a dark brown caramel with a red shimmer, with a thick head in light brown. Lots of yeast on the bottles bottom.

S:notes of banana and caramel with a woody feel in the end.

T: As with other Trappists, Rochefort hides well its alcohol. The complexity again remember other trappists with a complex mix of fruits, predominant banana, hops and a woody flavor.

M: The sweetness and fruit notes contrast with the hops leaving a flavour not too bitter, but not too light as well. In the end a woody dry fell remember me some porto wine.

O: I cannot say I was surprise, because I aways expect the best of Trappists ales, but anyway this beer is another example of how good a beer could be, when done with carefully and attention. Rochefort 10 deserves its nickname "La Merveilleuse". (The Marvellous)

Serving type: bottle

05-07-2013 03:36:25 | More by RaphaelSC

moodyhudy

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Appearance: Pours a dark brown (almost black) with amber notes if held up to the light. The tan head is a bit longer than an inch and has decent retention. The head leaves a minimal amount of lacing on the glass. Not to mention a fair amount of yeast that collects at the bottom of the glass.

Smell: Delicious - it smells like deeply spiced dark fruits, especially like figs and prunes. I detect a bit of vanilla and caramel as well.

Taste: The best - the spiced, dark fruits come and hit you immediately and a caramel and vanilla taste get you a bit later. The taste that lingers on your mouth is both malty and hoppy - as it should be. This beer is very complex, as well as being very well-balanced. The complexity of the flavors really help to offset the high alcohol content, which you can detect while drinking the beer. This beer almost tastes better as it warms up, like a fine red wine.

Mouthfeel: Mysterious, velvety, luxurious, and a bit dry all at the same time.

Overall: It's dark, complex, and has a lot of character - a lot like my mother. But seriously, I had to try this because it got such good reviews - now I can see why! It's a perfect beer if you just feel like relaxing, and of course, slowly sipping, on a great beer. Thanks to St. Benedict for setting up monasteries that can brew this great stuff!

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 22:38:10 | More by moodyhudy

ironchefmiyagi13

New York

4.71/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Honestly the best quad I have ever had. Westy XII is out there somewhere for me to try, but until then this is the bench mark I hold for all top tier quads. Damn this is good stuff. The nose is out of this world with figs, blackberries, raisins, prunes smelling liked they were soaked in a spiced rum and let age in a toasted oak barrel for a few months. Some goes for the flavor, except there is a little more noticeable alcohol on the palate. Either way, I am buying another one of these before the store runs out and letting sit for a few months.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2013 21:31:42 | More by ironchefmiyagi13

Mdez

Virginia

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Found this in a strip-mall kiosk outside of Luquillo, Puerto Rico (Kiosk #25, El Revlou) where they have 150+ craft & imported beers in their cooler. For $6.47, there was no way I could pass it up.

It looked wonderful, even though they had put it in a plastic cup (I was appalled, too).

The smell was wonderful (figs & raisins) and I couldn't wait to tear into it.

The taste & mouthfeel were as good as anything I've ever had; almost perfect. It was so good that I looked down after a few minutes and it was gone. Fortunately, they had a few more for me. That was very considerate of them...

Overall, this might have been the best beer I've ever had. However, when I got home and went out to buy a 4-pack or 2 for the house, I was jolted by the $25 price; it was almost cheaper at the bar by the beach!

This is a wonderful beer everyone should try at least once.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 18:52:10 | More by Mdez

rangerred

Tennessee

4.63/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

330ml bottle into a goblet.

Pours an opaque dark ruby, almost black, with a light tan one finger head. Really decent head retention and lacing throughout.

The aroma is full of dark fruits such as plums, raisins, dates, and figs. Is quite vinous with a very red wine-like aroma. Some notes of sherry and cranberry. Quite nice.

The flavor provides even more depth than the aroma. Plums and grapes along with sherry and a hint of vanilla. More dark fruit washes over the palate with some oak and plums. Bitterness is on the moderate side with much of the perceived bitterness provided by the alcohol. It is never harsh but is definitely noticeable providing a nice, pleasing warmth in the chest and throat.

Overall, an amazing Quad and one of the best Trappist beers out there. So many complexities in the aroma and taste it is a brew that every true beer fan should experience.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 02:20:41 | More by rangerred

Brewasaurus

Illinois

4.71/5  rDev +4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

A - Cloudy dark brown with a 3-finger head

S - Dark fruit, like a plum with a bit of alcohol. Hints of caramelized sugar.

T - Strong dark fruit flavor, mixed really well with some caramel and brown sugar. It's sweet with a bit of an earthy finish.

M - Medium to Medium+ carbonation, with a very silky smooth feel, the flavor lingering after the sip is not strong and actually tastes pretty good.

O - Very surprised by this, after having some other Quads. This feels like a goldilocks Quad, not too sweet, but not too dry, with good, strong, complex flavors

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2013 18:46:15 | More by Brewasaurus

Titans77

Maryland

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Bought on 4/17/13, poured into an oversized snifter on 4/26/13

A - Murky brown verging on a dark gold hue where the light hits the glass. A finger of khaki head that dissipated very quickly. Looks like a world class quad. Can't argue with that.

S - Caramelized alcohol soaked raisins/plums/figs. Big dark boozy fruits with some burnt caramel nose on it. It is insane how much you can get from just smelling the beer when you crack open the damn bottle.

T - Huge dark fruits up front. Rum soaked raisins might be the most prominent flavor. Caramel malt balance to go along with it. Very sweet, very palate friendly. This is tied for the best tasting beer I have ever had. Everything is so apparent and well crafted. The flavors are distinct and dominant.

M - Medium carbonation, and very smooth velvety mouthfeel. Medium bodied and a nice finish. While you can taste the flavors that the alcohol imparts on the fruits, it doesn't feel like you're drinking an 11% beer. It feels like 7% abv max. Very well hidden in the mouthfeel department.

O - It's hard to imagine anything better than this, in the Quad category. I will definitely try St. Bernardus Abt 12 soon, but it will be hard to top this. Maybe one day I will find some Westy 12, too. For $7 a bottle and easy availability, this beer is a fuckin' masterpiece.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 17:22:10 | More by Titans77

RenownedHack

Kentucky

4.89/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 11.2 oz bottle into a Samuel Smith pint glass.

A: There's a lot going on visually with this brew. Dark brown, cloudy, murky, yeasty, but definitely a treat to look at. Held up to light, you can clearly see the yeast settling to the bottom of the glass.

S: Slightly boozy. There's a grape hint to the bouquet, and a sweetness there, but there's also a warmth and bit of a nutty hint. Walnut comes to mind. Nothing overpowers, and it's really subdued compared to other Belgians I've experienced.

T: Caramel, chocolate, a hint of fruit, including a mildly fig-like taste intermingling with the other flavors. There is some apparent alcohol in the flavor, but it's not overwhelming or overpowering, rather serving to complement the other flavors. Fruit and booze linger on the finish. I almost tasted a hint of apple, but it was pulled in with the other flavors to make one of the most balanced Belgian tastes - if not the most well-balanced - you're wont to experience.

M: Very carbonated and very refreshing. Very crisp, is the word I'd also use to describe it. Rich, tongue-tingling. Mouthfeel also complements the flavor absolutely flawlessly.

O: This is a wonderful beer, albeit it a bit expensive to have on a regular basis. This is not an everyday beer, one that you will drink everyday after work. This is the kind of beer you reward yourself with, the kind for special occasions. It is absolutely superb.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 02:13:52 | More by RenownedHack

AmitC

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 11.2 oz slim small bottle into a snifter.

Color is deep grayish brown with a lot of cloudiness and suspension. Yeast settles at the bottom. A lot of it. Head is about two fingers thick of off white to tan colored porous bubbles typical of Belgian beers. Good retention. Little lacing left by the receding head.

Aroma is more subdued than I would imagine from such a world class 'Belgian' beer. Strength is good but not excellent. A lot of resins. A good amount of malts. Strong yeast. Crisp notes. A huge mix of various dry nuts. Slight warmth and booze.

Taste is of dry nuts, slight caramel, a lot of dry fruits and yeast. Booze is apparent as well, but for a 11.2% brew, the alcohol is not significant. Good warmth. Heavy stuff. Finish is semi-dry and semi-sweet at the same time.

Mouth feel is medium bodied. High carbonation. Very nice texture. Strong on alcohol and warmth. Very heavy stuff.

Excellent brew. Complex, yes. World class? - may be.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 04:28:02 | More by AmitC

CZs

Maryland

4.93/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Poured into tall 12 oz Belgian chalice. Dark brown with copper hues. 1 inch tan head that vanishes fairly quickly. Some brown, compacted yeast at the bottom even after carefully pouring but a little more expected for a BDS and/or Quad.

Smell: Dark cocoa, slight alcohol smell, chewy dates

Taste: Out of this world. My all time favorite beer out of any style. BA reviewer and pro ratings are spot on - this is a world class beer. I get dark, slightly burnt cocoa - even more complex than the D-180 taste. Chewy rummy date, dark fruits, slight warming alcohol. I get some toasty marshmallow as it warms - debittered black, Cara-something in there along with the Special B. This is much, much more complex than just dark candi syrup/sugar and dark fruit. Any home brewer that can come close to its likeness has a gem on their hands.

Mouthfeel: Crisp, dry, chewy, sumptuous and gets even better as it warms. A real treat to savor.

Overeall: For 11.3 abv, the complexity really masks the boozy flavor - be careful - you'll be feeling great halfway through! This is to slowly enjoy and so I have numerous times over. This is a dark, masterful potion.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 19:05:23 | More by CZs

capnamerica

Arkansas

4.99/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The History of "10"

Although written records of brewing at Rochefort date to 1595, Rochefort 10 was developed in the late 1940s and early 50s. It appears on virtually every list of the world's finest beers.

Taste

Dark brown color. Great strength balanced by a complexity of flavors and firm malt backbone. The bouquet covers a wide range: port wine, leather, apricots, oak, spices - a deeply intriguing beverage.

Serving Suggestion

Lamb shanks with juniper berries, wild chanterelle mushrooms, truffles, or dishes with intensely reduced sauces. Serve in the traditional stemmed Rochefort goblet.

Accolades

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 02:51:28 | More by capnamerica

letsdrink

Ohio

4.11/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4

Heard some phenomenal things about this beer, had to give it try.

A - Pours a deep brown color with a decent head, no lacaing.

S - Sweet scents, fruits also present, grapes/raisins

T - The taste profile follows through on what comes through with the smell. Dark fruits and the perfect amount of sweetness. The most surprising part is that the alcohol is not overpowering whatsoever. You wouldn't really know the ABV is 11.3%

M - Very smooth, carbonation can be described as a little less than average. Definitely a well-bodied Belgian. So far, this has been the high point of the sampling.

O - Don't get me wrong, this is a high quality beer. I had extremely high expectations. Reading how highly ranked it was on the website forced me to expect an extreme wow factor, but I think it came up just short. It's definitely worth a try and I would love to have another, but I'm not so sure that it met my lofty expectations.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 00:50:36 | More by letsdrink

RobGreen

United Kingdom (England)

4.8/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Sampled this in the midst of an evening of other Belgian beers including La Chouffe on tap, but the Rochefort 10 stood out above all others for it's pitch black appearance, silky smooth texture and the tastes of caramel/fudge.

Very hard to tell that this is an 11.3% ABV beer (until you've had a few and find standing up to be a bit of a challenge!), pleasure to drink - there seems to be a hint of cherry or some other rich fruit tucked away in the after taste too.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 13:12:01 | More by RobGreen

retry4z

California

4.75/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Bought a 330 ml bottle. Served at room temperature in a Delirium snifter glass - a perfect fit since that's exactly the volume this glass holds, leaving room for the head.

A very beautiful head. Two fingers thick and very persistent - one of the best ones I've seen. In fact, this brew is so carbonated that the beer spilled over the moment I opened it. The beer is pitch black - I had to hold it directly to the lightbulb to see the deep burgundy color. The bubbles gash out from the inside of the glass like an erupting volcano. The head and color density is simply unlike any other beer - ale or stout - I've had.

Very pleasant sweet aroma of caramel, alcohol, and dried fruit. Smells very much like some Belgian strong ales I've had.

Taste - I might have just tried the best beer I've ever had. Unbelievably smooth, well balanced sweetness and a rich warm alcoholic finish.

The consistency is very rich, with super fine high carbonation, it has a slight anesthetic property on the tongue. The only drawback of this is that the foam occupies too much space in the mouth compared to the liquid.

This is a paradigm Quadrupel that needs no hype because it speaks volumes on its own merit, not to mention that it was made in Belgium. Definitely my new favorite of this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 08:14:49 | More by retry4z

jasoncheb

Virginia

4.64/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Nice deep brown, with a nice 1 finger tan head on vigorous pour. Sediment present.

S: Although alcohol is present in the nose, the grains really keep the smell balanced overall.

T: Wow, what a smooth beer! At 11.3%, you really don't get overpowered with the alcohol like some other beers with this abv.

M: Carbonation is medium. When mixed with the abv, you get a really nice, yet slight, burn on the tongue. Really good coating on every sip.

O: I've been keeping two of these in the back of the fridge since Christmas. Glad that I finally tried one of the greatest, and well balanced, beers I've tried to date. Certainly worth the hype; and I love the fact that it is readily available in my area.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 23:24:09 | More by jasoncheb

mattsander

Alberta (Canada)

4.6/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

For me, the quintessential dark Belgian beer. Rich, dense, rummy, fudgy, raisins and sugary dates, buttery brown sugar, deeply fruity.

Very warming, impossible to drink slowly. One of my favorite beers, widely available, and impossible to beat in this style.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 04:15:19 | More by mattsander

Bleedcold

Florida

4.61/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Consumed from a Trappistes Rochefort glass.

Appearance: This beer is cloudy and dark with a short life-span off white colored head.

Smell: Smells like figs and cherries ( some other dark fruits maybe) brown sugar.

Taste: Amazing flavor. Complex in texture and flavor, has a lot of the dark fruit and dark sugar flavors that I have come to expect out of the great belgian beers. amazing beer.

Mouthfeel: Smooth and very lightly spiced. Seems to have low carbonation and a complex texture.

Overall: This is a great beer and it has a great flavor as well as texture. This beer is on the same level as the Westy 12 (maybe not quite as good but it is close. Plus I can get it very easily at a local store).

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2013 01:36:28 | More by Bleedcold

orangedive

Maryland

4.59/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Brownish burgundy. Hazy and 65% opaque. Cream colored head that dissipated quickly.
S - Caramel and apples are prominent. A bit of alcohol when inhaling deeply but not overwhelmingly so. Some molasses or other sugary smell. I smells wonderful. It smells like a candy factory but not it's not cloying at all. It's almost like the smell of baking cookies but more earthy.
T - the taste lives up to the hype. The high alcohol content is not noticeable. It is nicely sweet and fruity, but there is still an easy malt presence. It could pair well with a dessert, but it also has a strength that would allow it to pair with meat. It is powerful but also subtle and well balanced. Lots of caramel. Not much bitterness if any at all.
M - The only small criticism I might have is that the mouthfeel is a little thin. But, it is still solid and easy to drink.
O - this is a great beer...one of the best I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

04-13-2013 00:18:10 | More by orangedive

dar482

New York

4.9/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

There is a dark brown color with some light head.

The aroma is very fruity with a smaller head than Chimay Blue. It surely smells like big cherry. There is biscuit, malt, and raisins as well.

There is a smooth Belgian yeast. There is huge cherry. Then there is a bit of prune, plum, and stone fruits. It’s almost like rum with the sweetness.

It surely is the best of the blind taste I had with St Bernardus 12 and Chimay Blue. By far my favorite. Next to Pannepot Reserva, this is maybe my favorite quad. I recommend this extremely highly.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 07:42:43 | More by dar482