Trappistes Rochefort 8
Review Date 8/19/2000
Try?
Re-buy?
The law of the
monastery is to live by the work of your own hands. In that spirit, it has
been common practice for monks to produce their own jams, cheeses, wines,
and of course beers. In the middle ages and beyond monasteries were often a
refuge for weary travelers, and these foodstuffs were shared with them.
Today it is common practice for American brewers to produce "trappist style" ales, but the Belgians are cracking down on this. Here in New England, the North East Brewing Company (an excellent brewpub by the way) had to rename its Trappist Monkey Abbey Ale after pressure was applied to them by the Monastic Business Association.
There are only six breweries that produce true trappist ales. Five of them are in Belgium (Chimay, Orval, St. Remy, Westlverten, and Westmalle); one is in the Netherlands (Schapskooi). St. Remy's Rochefort beers are among the most hard to find. They are exceptional brews indeed and of high strength, but expect to pay for them: they run about $8 for a 330ml bottle, just under 12 ounces. There are three beers produced, designated by number: 6,8, and 10. So far, I've been able to track down two of these beers, the 8 and the 10.
Trappistes Rochefort 8 is dark, malty, yeasty, and best drunk from a bowl shaped glass. A gentle pour produces a vigorous rocky head. The nose is rich and yeasty, hinting at banana. The palate is sweet and rich, cookie-malty with chocolate and banana fruit, sweet and warming in the finish. Interesting Belgian yeasty character, this is best classified as a dubbel but with the strength of a tripel (9.2% by volume).
Today it is common practice for American brewers to produce "trappist style" ales, but the Belgians are cracking down on this. Here in New England, the North East Brewing Company (an excellent brewpub by the way) had to rename its Trappist Monkey Abbey Ale after pressure was applied to them by the Monastic Business Association.
There are only six breweries that produce true trappist ales. Five of them are in Belgium (Chimay, Orval, St. Remy, Westlverten, and Westmalle); one is in the Netherlands (Schapskooi). St. Remy's Rochefort beers are among the most hard to find. They are exceptional brews indeed and of high strength, but expect to pay for them: they run about $8 for a 330ml bottle, just under 12 ounces. There are three beers produced, designated by number: 6,8, and 10. So far, I've been able to track down two of these beers, the 8 and the 10.
Trappistes Rochefort 8 is dark, malty, yeasty, and best drunk from a bowl shaped glass. A gentle pour produces a vigorous rocky head. The nose is rich and yeasty, hinting at banana. The palate is sweet and rich, cookie-malty with chocolate and banana fruit, sweet and warming in the finish. Interesting Belgian yeasty character, this is best classified as a dubbel but with the strength of a tripel (9.2% by volume).
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
