Rochefort 8

Trappistes Rochefort 8

Serving Type: 11.2oz Bottle
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV: 9.2%

Nothing like a trappist brew, where you know a bunch of monks put their love into making this spectacular style. This stuff was brewed traditionally as a cheap nutritional drink for the monks to survive on. I cant imagine these monks controlled their sobriety very well with such a strong and flavorful drink available to them at all times. Anyway, on to the beer.

Pours a dark brown color, and is pretty cloudy due to residual yeast that is left in the bottle (this is a good sign that your beer is going to be good). The head is a nice light brown and hangs around after pouring the brew. The bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass pick up little bits and yeast and causes them to dance around a bit, kinda nifty.

Nose isn't overwhelming and smells like most tasty belgian beers I've had. Some dark fruity notes and a grainy smell that translates into similar tastes. Definitely getting some dark fruity flavors mixed in with the nice mild malty-ness. Really complex flavors in this one, that mix in really well with the mild heat of the alcohol. It all blends together into a nice little dance in your mouth, catalyzed by the peppy carbonation in the drink.

This kind of tastes like how I imagined beer would taste when I was a child. Thick and hearty with complex flavors bursting all over the place. It has a slight sweetness to it, and blends into a mild bitter flavor and heat at the end, really great sensation. This beer is really agreeing with me. I wish that there was more than 11.2oz in the bottle, because I'm nearing the bottom of my glass.

Final Grade: A

-This is beer. Plain and simple. Accessible to any beer drinker, and will be enjoyed. I can recommend this to anyone who likes beer, and to many who don't. Complex and delicious, mixing and marrying flavors perfectly. Only downfall is the stuff is not cheap at $5.50 a 11.2oz bottle. Oh well, it's worth it.