Beer Review: Trappistes Rochefort 8

Bremistress Rating3halfoutof5

Rochefort8_1When I reviewed this beer I wrote ‘mahogany’ in my notes. It’s not a wooded brew, but it was the best word I could come up with to describe the colour – a deep, deep brown with oh-so-slight ruby highlights (not done justice by my photo). Rochefort 8 is a complex beast, a Belgian Trappist ale weighing in at 9.2% ABV.

Nose-wise I got a hint of cardboard and a definite whiff of alcohol. More prominent though was the spice and dried fruit – drunk in the southern hemisphere winter it definitely evokes Christmas Eve back in the UK. Like the Rochefort 6, I found this beer surprisingly light bodied considering the alcohol strength. Speaking of alcohol, that kind of hits once you’ve swallowed. First though, you get waves of dried fruit, sweet spice and the merest hint of sherry. It was all I could do to not whip up a batch of mince pies and start playing Bing Crosby in the background.

How much: R52 for a 330ml bottle

Where: Currently only available at Den Anker, V&A Waterfront

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