Trappistes Rochefort 10 - Brasserie de Rochefort

86MonteSS

Connecticut

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

What else can be said? I was told that this is the closest I can get to Westvleteren 12 without actually having it, and if so, I'm really looking forward to it. Manly head and thick mouthfeel. The flavor is inexplicable, so I'll let others try. You pour it, let the head settle a bit, take a spicy sip, stare down into it and say... "holy shit." Thank you, Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2003 23:18:20 | More by 86MonteSS

MJR

Missouri

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

Ahh...Rochefort 10...I've been looking forward to this!

Appearance: Pours an incredibly dark mahogany with minimal clarity. It's tan head starts out thick and creamy, and dwindles down to a small cap. Good lacing on the glass.

Smell: Wonderful aroma that comes across as nutty and vinous. Lots of dark fruits, port, and alcohol blend together well. There's a bready note, but it's faint. I pick up on a touch of spiciness, as well as a slight phenolic note.

Taste: Bitter-sweet with an explosion of dark fruits. The nuttiness hangs in the forefront. There's a nice toffee/butterscotch flavor that sits just under the surface. The same phenolic touch that was in the nose plays in the background. Very complex and warming. There's a nice rush of alcohol on the tail end that reminds you that it's not to be hurried. Adding the yeast ups the spiciness a bit, as well as adds even more of a bready flavor. This brew tastes 'darker' than the Westy 8 I recently enjoyed...

Mouthfeel: Lush and creamy with a full mouthfeel. Adding the yeast sediment at the bottom of the bottle only enhances that feel. Very warming with an alcohol-tinged finish.

Drinkability: Scary for the amount of alcohol this brew has. It packs a wallop, yet hides it until the end. I could drink several of these...slowly of course!

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2003 13:14:25 | More by MJR

nomad

Kansas

4.88/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured a slightly red deep brown color with a creamy head that stayed thin after it fell. Nose was a pear/apple smell, wine grapes, spicy alcohol, and that medicinal tone that dark & heavy belgian brews give off. It also smelled of a slight floral tone, but much softer and refreshing than most hop-type of floral scents.

Flavor was tastily chewy with savory malts, peppery, and had an earthy body that had notes of smoked cedar. (like BBQ kinda thing). Also had a little fruity taste, like a slight pear flavor on the tip of my tongue. Very smooth through out, it had an interesting creamy taste in the finish, and to boot an aftertaste of dark candy-sugar hiding in the nooks of my mouth. No taste of the alcohol but you’ll feel it. The mouthfeel was soft and viscuous – not watery, not oily, but something great in between.

This beer is so easy to go back to, as it makes you content in its taste and feeling. Easily a beer to have often, if you can afford it. So simple, not in a minimalist way but in a straightforward way. Outstanding tradition and elegant simplicity - what a dark malty brew can be at its best.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2003 10:31:15 | More by nomad

mzwolinski

California

4.45/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Things just keep getting heavier. Deep ruby in color with a very thin, densely packed, dark tan head. Aroma is of burnt malt, plum, sugar, and alcohol. I was actually a bit underwhelmed by the aroma. After sniffing the 8, I expected something even bigger from the 10. It would have been a nice warning of what to expect in terms of flavor! Once again, the alcohol is quite noticeable from the first sip. And then…well, there’s a *lot* going on. Bready body, tastes of molasses, pepper, raisin and plum, pear and banana, all undergirded by a solid chocolate/caramel maltiness. Finishes with a strong hit of leafy hop flavor. Thinner in body than I had expected, but still creamy and viscous in mouthfeel. Not to be trifled with!

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2003 07:22:31 | More by mzwolinski

beerluvr

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Pours with a rapidly fading brown head over murky opaque dark brownish liquid. The nose is a heady mix of dark fruits, chocolate, malts and alcohol. Taste is a wonderful mix of candi sugar, yeasty fruitiness, hops, chocolate...and a massive alcoholic presence that just coats the throat as you swallow this complex ale. Finishes with a complexity rarely tasted in most ales of any style, with a chocolatey sweetness that gives way to a very appetizing dryness that begs another long sip...one of Belgium's (and the world's) finest beers, one of the all-time greats! Worth every pricey penny!

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2003 08:34:55 | More by beerluvr

cokes

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Murky burnt sienna capped with a staggering beige foam. An archetype of appearance.
Aromas of hay, alcohol, burnt sugar, pepper, and trout streams.
Taste focuses on the subtle rather than the 11%+ thrashing that is in store. Pepper and caramel initially, which segue smoothly into the fruit isle at the local mega-grocery store. The shopping basket fills with anise, prunes, star fruit, kiwi, lime, and pineapple. Underlying this all is a scorched sugar base. Yeast adds some sour spiciness. Alcoholic bitterness towards the finale, with is offset by a subdued floral hopping.
A bit fizzy right away, but settles to a substanciated heft within the mouth.
Way too drinkable for something this strong.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2003 22:44:11 | More by cokes

fattyre

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer pours a slightly hazy coppery brown with a small tan head. It has a sweet cookie like peppery smell. As expected extremely complex and smooth with a creamy sherry like flavor and sharp peppery alcohol warmth with a very rounded full mouthfeel. Definitely a delicious smooth beer more akin to a sherry or port and intended to be savored in a similar manner. Would be welcome anytime but possibly best suited as an after dinner drink. One of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2003 15:39:11 | More by fattyre

JISurfer

South Carolina

5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Once again, it's great to be Catholic, and the Trappist monks do it again! This stuff is really amazing. I really can't think of any flaws in this brew. I guess the only draw back is the high price of $8+ a bottle. As soon as I opened the bottle, I noticed the vanilla and fruits scent in it. One thing that "turned me on" was the sight of the beautiful dark color and a creamy brown head. The head was supper thick at first, but subsided into a film-like substance. The taste was of heavy vanilla, fruit, nuts, and a hint of alcohol taste. The nutty vanilla taste stays around for a while after you swallow and leaves a little tinge on the tounge. I really like this brew and put it up there with the Weste 12. If you have it in your area, give it a go, it's well worth the price.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2003 18:28:18 | More by JISurfer

Naerhu

Japan

4.93/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

11.3% malt, hop, yeast
Ultra-ripe peach and fig aroma, brown/tan head. Brown Body, medium low head, lots of lacing. An explosion of flavor with maple focus flavor and the richest longest finish I have ever experienced wrapped in the creamiest texture. Alcohol slowly but elegantly making itself known. Can I sell my soul in exchange for a life supply of this beer?

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2003 06:25:32 | More by Naerhu

Bunnyhop

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A coppery brown, slightly hazy Belgian Trappist Ale with a very small tannish head. The smell is sweet, raisiny, and sherry-like. The taste is also reminiscent of sherry...sweet, smooth, and slightly creamy with a peppery finish. In my mouth it is very round and creamy. I have made a note to myself to definitely get some more of this very tasty and delicious Belgian ale. The higher alcohol in this gives it a very nice warming finish.

(source: PremierGourmet; Buffalo, NY)

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2003 14:58:26 | More by Bunnyhop

AudioGilz

Pennsylvania

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

11.5% is in my mind as I pour this brew. It pours a dark thick brown with a huge head that settles down quickly. I immediately smell plums and tropical fruits, along with alcohol.

The initial sensation to me after my first taste was "warming". The alcohol is not overly powerful in the taste at all. What is powerful in the taste is pears and dried fruits. I didn't notice much of a chocolate taste like many reviewers have mentioned. I just can't believe how smooth this beer is for the amount of alcohol in it. This is the finest Belgian beer I have had yet. I definitely like it more than Maudite, La Fin Du Monde, and Trois Pistoles; these being the only other Belgian ales I have tried. It tastes so good, that it's hard to drink it slow which is a good idea unless you want to be overwhelmed with a quick inebriation.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2003 15:17:45 | More by AudioGilz

nathi

Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -22.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

**Added after reading reviews: Seems other reviewers all note a head and lace, this bottle will not form a head if I put it in a blender I bet....wonder if I have a bad bottle?**

bottle dated best before 15/08/06 (funny, may as well but a brewed on date)

Very loose sediment, even after sitting still in the fridge and being gently poured leaving a little in the bottle, I was disapointed to get a shot of sludge into my glass that muddied it all up. Will remember to leave about 3 oz in the bottle next time, which is a lot of a not-so-cheap beer. No head. May update if the next bottle I try pours better.

Disapointing aroma. Very high, but clean, alcohol. With low, but nice aroma of chocolate covered cherries. The low aroma is very disapointing.

Flavor is also very simple. Nice dryness for a such big beer, which I really like in a Belgian. A bit hot still, needs to age a bit more, need to nunt down some older bottle, because I cant see wasting celar space on this beer. Smoky flavor, some nice phenolic spicyness, but low. Not a lot of malt, this beer must have a healthy sugar dose. Some fruityness, but not real high for a belgian.

One of the more drinkable big beers I have had, but definitly not one of the more interesting. I can see this making a great aged beer...but I dont see it as one of the top beers in the world. Who knows, maybe an aged bottle would change my mind.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2003 18:40:10 | More by nathi

DerKaiser

California

4.47/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This is a big, powerful, and elegant Belgian beer. It pours a dark, leathery brown with a nice head. The aroma is heavy with fig and molasses notes. Very aromatic.

The flavor is lush and full-bodied, remeniscent of liquor-soaked figs, dark rum, licorice, and hints of chocolate. There's a smooth, coating mouthfeel. Spicy, warming, peppery alcohol notes carry throughout the nose and mouth, particularly after the beer warms. The high alcohol content is a key component of this beer.

This beer is very complex and wonderfully balanced, with layers of flavor that reveal themselves as the beer warms in the glass. It really is a delicacy, and at $8.00 per bottle it's one that I will indulge in very infrequently.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2003 20:53:33 | More by DerKaiser

OatmattStout

Connecticut

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

This beer was a high alchohol content for my normal taste but you really only get the good parts of that warm feeling, no overpowering perception of alchohol. Don't be afraid if your don't drink this style of beer or beer's with such high ABV.

I did swirl sediment into poor.

Appearence: dark cider with a nice toffe colored fluffy head that disipates somewhat fast leaving a nice lace on top of beer but a clean glass.

Smell: sweet of malty dried fruits, hint of alchohol

Taste: Got better with each sip as temp rises opening more flavors. Currants, dried fruits and rum with a slight caramel/toffe maltiness.

Mouthfeel: Very fine carbonation expand in your mouth like a mouse, very rich and very smooth for alchohol content.

Drinkabilty: great, its not part of a six pack it's meant to be savored slowely. You will also feel the warmth in your belly and your head letting you know not to rush and/or start to slur your words.

Overall this beer was excellent .

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2003 14:10:12 | More by OatmattStout

paceyourself

Connecticut

3.88/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a small tight head that fades slowly. A rich mahogany color doesn't hide the sediment that snuck into the glass. The grass like aroma lets me know to expect a strong brew. Buttery, toffee flavor rides the malty goodness and with a hint of wood it gives a full mouthfeel. The 11.3% is there from begining to end but not over powering.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2003 17:25:16 | More by paceyourself

JohnnyDuvel

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A masterpiece of a beer. A absolute treat, one of the true greats,has the perfect blend of malt and bitterness.Tastes of fruit and spice. Alcohol not that noticable in taste, but definitely in effect! Two of these, and it will be sleepy time! I had this after a St. Bernardus 12, and I definitely prefered the Rochefort. Overall, this is a unique and incredible beer! This one poured a very large, foamy head which took a while to settle. Sweet and complex, a wonderful brew.Smooth, creamy, and as close to perfect as a beer can be.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2002 22:40:10 | More by JohnnyDuvel

stcules

Italy

4.63/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Beer tasted in a parallel comparison with Westvleteren 12.
The colour is dark brown, with a tan head.
Smell toasted, alcoholic, with notes of fruit (sour black cherry). At the taste the alcohol seems to attenuate (relatively). Notes of pear, roots, with a little asperity. The finish is dry and astringent.
Anyway it has a net start, well resoluted.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2002 02:50:53 | More by stcules

Bierman9

New Hampshire

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

OK, part 3 of my Trappistes Rochefort adventures.... #10 has an enticing ruby-chestnut color; head jumps out to a rocky, foamy lead, before settling back into the pack as a thin, tan layer. Not a whole lot of lacing to speak of, though. Also, I might add that there are some yeasty (naughty?) bits looking for something to do while floating around in the bier. Rich, dark fruit aromas abound, along with malty sweet notes. Medium body, and a pleasant feel on the tongue mean one thing: a good overall mouthfeel! Number 10 has a good little punch behind it, and the alcohol is somewhat evident whilst tasting! It has a rich, malty flavor, along with a plethora of dark fruit, like figs and currants. This is nice! I have tasted #'s 6, 8 and then 10, in that order, with increasing enjoyment down the line. Is there a #12 out there?

overall: 4.25
appearance: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | mouthfeel: 4 | drinkability: 4.5

443

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2002 16:29:09 | More by Bierman9

Jason

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Brown bottle with no label or freshness date, only the cap denotes the type of Rochefort it is.

Appearance: Maximum stickage as the head leaves a dreamy looking lace as well as a pancake of head in the middle of the glass. Bold brown hue with bright ruby highlights, warm looking.

Smell: Dark sugars, perhaps a thick dark brown sugar, some herbal phenolics that are soft and hints of liquorice and cocoa in the nose as well.

Taste: Medicinal, peppery and warming. Thick maltiness with hints of light grade molasses and dark bread. Phenolics are soft but are dug in deep into the taste buds. Hops are mild and weathered with a leafy character. Faint detection of caramelized sugar and a ghost like smokiness. Esters are there but very mellow. It takes a while to take notice the strength of the alcohol as it warms the body.

Mouthfeel: Heavenly smooth and oh so creamy, solid medium to full body. Care has been taken to bring forth such a lush mouth feel.

Drinkability & Notes: Definitely a sip and savour brew and better to pair up with some different cheeses. I opted for a meat and cheese plate and it play well with this tall standing brew.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2002 20:04:25 | More by Jason

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Creamy, tan head; gorgeous violet color.
Aroma: dark, dark, dark, with spices, dark fruits, grapes, berries,strawberries
...distinctly port-like,plummy, raisinish.
A tad flat, though...do I have an old, improperly cared-for bottle?
Terriffically strong, incredibly warming, the feel and the heat of a glass of cognac!
Absolutely perfect!

Serving type: bottle

12-18-2002 22:05:22 | More by feloniousmonk

purplehops

Maine

5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Rochefort 10 pours a pleasant chestnut brown with a rich tan head. The head leaves a beautiful lace pattern on the glass. Tha aroma is dried fruits with alcohol and background floral notes. The taste starts off with a rich malty flavor that is well balanced with flavors of dried cherries and plums. The finish is very flowery and dry with alcohol and apple/pear being the dominant flavors. The aftertaste is alcohol warmth lingering with malty sweetness and faint notes of raisin. The mouthfeel is smooth and silky with just the right amount of carbonation. This is one of the worlds greatest beers. Smooth, easy to drink, and one of the most complex of the Trappist beers. If you get the chance to try one of these, do it at any cost.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2002 17:19:05 | More by purplehops

maxpower

Missouri

4.83/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Deep brown color, with a huge tan head of tiny bubbles, sweet and fruity aroma, sweet and malty, flavors of dark fruit and caremel, full thick robust mouthfeel and some what chewy, just about perfectly balanced. I will have another one.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2002 17:30:53 | More by maxpower

Wildman

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured a very dark brown color and formed an light tan bubbly head that left some lace. An aroma of malt, plum, raisins and spice. A flavor of malt and spice with some fruit element plus you can detect the presence of the alcohol and it's warming effect comes through in a tart finish that hints at heavy carbonation being present. This is by far the best of the three of theirs that I have tried. Thanks again to the Ohio lawmakers for letting us get this.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2002 17:32:02 | More by Wildman

ipogios

Cyprus

4.55/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep brown colour topped by a nice thick head that settles down rather easily. Aroma of this dark strong ale consists of chocolate and strong alcohol aroma (afterall the ABV is 11.5%). Chocolate and alcohol are the dominants of the flavour of this beer. Mouthfeel is quite strong with heavy carbonation... One of the finest dark strong ales of Belgium

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2002 02:21:53 | More by ipogios

zerk

California

4.13/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cloudy deep brown / amber with a very persistant and lacy head... aroma of plums and chocolate... oh, and a whole lot of alochol... almost reminds me of brandy. Flavor is very heavily dominated by the alcohol, with some fruity flavors and a touch of chocolate coming through. Sweet and tart, but not at all cloying or overstated. Mouthfeel is light to medium with a lot of effervescence... this beer is just loaded with carbonation, and fills the mouth like a champagne. This is a very good, and unique brew... not quite the pinnacle of beer excellence, but definatley a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2002 19:38:08 | More by zerk