Rochefort Trappistes 10

Brewed by Brasserie Rochefort
Style: Abt/Quadrupel
Rochefort, Belgium

Dark brown hue, big foamy head, chocolate, coffee-mocha, fruity of raisins,figs, dates,prunes, sweet roasted malt aromas follow through on a medium-bodied palate with melow sweet caramelized malt with unctuous fruity flavors of prunes, raisins,dates, rich chocolate pralines and a hint of vanilla in a warm mouthfilling well malted side, finishing with a touch of acidity like in the quintessence of a good porto.

Rerate: 7/24/02: After having the Rochefort 6 and 8, and the Rochefortoise, I think the overall here has to come down a bit because of unbalanced sweetness and high alcohol. Still a great brew. Original: 2/26/02: Virtually no head on my one (sad sniff...) sample bottle. Full-bodied, full blast of sweet fruit, sugar, malts of many kinds. Alcohol...quite...evident. Similar peppery finish to the Westy 12, not as intense, not quite as long. Sweet to the not-bitter-enough-end.

Bottle. Boy what a great aroma. Sweet, malty, very fruity with hints of plums and sweet cherries. Thin off white head and medium bodied. Flavor matches the aroma for the most part. Finish is chalky, spicy, sweet, and slightly bitter. It lingers nicely. Alcohol is very well hidden! Great beer, if only it was a little cheaper!

Bottle. Dark garnet pour with a thick beige head. Smells like fresh baked banana bread. Wow. Where to start. The taste is overwhelming. Thick and yeasty with a great sweet bite. Tastes faintly of brownies (bread and chocolate). Alcohol, medium malts, dried fruit, earthy notes, chocolate, molasses, and bubblegum come through. Finish is warm and nice. Some people say that this beer is overrated. They are wrong.

Loved the 8. Didn’t like the 10. Looked good with a cloudy copper body and thick beige head. Toffee and nuts and candy in the nose. Bitter taste that just put me off. Was decent but not very enjoyable. 8 is much better.

11.2oz bottle (2005 I believe). I think this is the first time I’ve had this beer, and honestly I find it to be a bit overhyped. It’s certainly well above average and a strong entry as a traditional Belgian quad. Very rich but with alcohol fairly hidden, huge nose of plums and oak with some caramel notes. But it’s a bit less balanced than I’d hoped for, somewhat fizzy and with a mouthfeel that’s far too thin for my taste. Comes on strong but finishes too weak. Obviously still quite fine, but I’m not sure (based on this initial sample, at least) that it deserves the stellar ratings.

A trappist, what can I say? Bitter chocolate-flavour mixed with dark rhum. Great stuff!

Bottled: Fruity, sweet aroma, notes of alcohol, plums and raisins. Dark brown color, enormous foamy off-white head. Intensive fruity flavor, dried plums, cherries and figs. Candy, roasted malt and alcohol too. Light sharp finish, alcoholic, drieness. A highlight, but maybe to fresh. I will store some in my cellar.