Trappistes Rochefort 8
Brasserie de Rochefort

10/3/23 Poured from a 330ml bottle purchased and drunk at Apothecary Ale House.

Paid a premium price, but have been wanting to try this one!

Oh, sweet Belgian goodness from a hazy golden coppery beauty! Cinnamon, sour, apple cider, and of course the banana!

Smooth with a carbonation bite and sweet enough to be excellent, but not cloying.

Most excellent special treat!

 

 

Wow--been working my way through Belgian Ales--only drinking 90+ here on Beer Advocate--this one was exceptional--really enjoyed it--excellent Trappist Ale!

 

 

 

11.2 oz acclimated to 58°F and poured into a goblet.

Pours a murky cedar brown with lighter flecks of sediment drifing around. Has a 1 finger foamy white head, dissipating quickly and leaving a nice film of lacing.

Initial aroma is rum extract and general dried fruit (primarily prune). Maybe chestnut or something else that's nutty? Also present is a sweet dairy smell, combining with the rum extract smell I can't help but think it eggnog or custard. A general Christmas spice can be found, as well as a hint of vanilla. This is a lovely and inviting smell that immediately brings to British/Christmas desserts, wonderful. Agitating conjures a creamy dairy aroma, followed by that rum smell.

Initial taste before swallowing is peppery, vaguely fruity, and slightly sweet, building into some alcohol burn. After swallowing a mellow maltiness comes forward, accompanied by a rum extract note and nutmeg notes, quickly a sweetness builds, joined afterwards by a moderate alcohol burn. I pick up a note of bourbon vanilla further in in the exhale and aftertaste, as well as brandy or whiskey or similar later. The aftertaste remains mostly sweet and dried fruit flavored. Throughout the whole experience I couldn't shake the feeling I was drinking eggnog, which personally I am largely in favor of.

Feel is creamy, almost like drinking thin milk. I find that it flows effortlessly. The carbonation doesn't last, unfortunately, but otherwise the mouthfeel is very nice.

Overall, superb. The only gripe I have is that I found it a tiny bit lacking in flavor. Odd, considering the alcohol content, and I think the flavors present are magnificent, but I yearn for just a smidge more. Otherwise there's nothing negative to say. The whole experience was very enjoyable and I look forward to trying it again.

Will certainly buy again for special occasions, just need to determine which of the 4 by the brewery is my favorite. Will absolutely recommend the 4 as well.

Lovely molasses brown. Sweet raisin, brown sugar. Great fresh feel. Lovely.

Delicious! Strong malts with subtle alcohol.

 

 

 

 

 

Candied plums, figs and rum soaked raisins smeared on top of fresh bready malts with some very mild hop bite and a peppery finish. Nice yeasty phenols dancing around throughout and hides the ABV nicely but it's there. Definitely delicious but honestly I remember it being better last time I had it a year or so ago.