Rochefort 8 33 cl
ABV: 9.2% · Untappd: 3.84 · IBU: 22
The newest member of the family! Produced since 1954 at L’Abbaye de Rochefort, this Belgian Dark Strong Ale – Quadrupel was the third and final member of this trappist family. It is a light-bodied beer that does not hide its 9.2% alcohol content, and although it has a quite sweet flavour at first, some spicy notes, high carbonation, and a semi-dry finish help to balance it out. Aromas of dried fruits, caramel, spices, and warm alcohol reinforce its elegance. The palate presents very prominent notes of chocolate and caramel that overlap the alcohol, giving this beer a subtlety that should be savoured in peace. It is worth investigating why the beers are simply called 6, 8, and 10!
EAN: 5412858000081
Dominant flavor: Sweet and Malty
Price:
€3,59
Beer profile
Style
Belgian Strong Ale - Dubbel
Colour
Brown Amber
Serving Temperature
6°
Pairing
Brand
Origin
Bélgica
Volume
33.0 cl
Foam
Aroma and Flavor
Fruity and toasted aromas, stone fruits and raisins. On the palate, caramel, chocolate and coffee stand out. Subtly alcoholic finish.
Suggested glass
About the beer
Rochefort 8 is the younger “sister” in the full Rochefort range. All of this abbey's beers follow the same recipe; what differentiates them is the quantity of malts and sugars added, which creates versions of the same base beer that are more or less full-bodied and alcoholic. According to “Brother” Antoine, the beers are simply called 6, 8, and 10 because they are ready to drink at six, eight, and ten weeks respectively, although some devotees like to leave the strongest one for an extra month or two.
A curiosity: when Michael Jackson1 visited the abbey and tasted the beers, his tasting notes reminded him of food. “Brother” Antoine explained that those beers had indeed already been food, as these Trappist monks did not eat meat or fish, and even cheese was banned for a long period. In other words, without the nutrients from the beer, the monks simply would not have survived. Nowadays, the dietary rules are no longer as strict, fortunately.
1Michael Jackson (Wetherby, March 27, 1942 — London, August 30, 2007) was a journalist, beer and whisky critic, author of various reference publications, and one of the main figures responsible for the resurgence of interest in craft beers and the dissemination of beer culture in general.
