Trappistes Rochefort 8

Trappistes Rochefort 8 is a Belgian ale marked with the "Authentic Trappist Product" logo. Brewed in Rochefort, Belgium at L'Abbaye St-Remy, the stuff contains a worthy 9.2% alcohol. It's sold in 330mL bottles. It's a cloudy, ruddy brown beer that exists underneath a veritable atmosphere of tan head that sticks around for the duration.

"Huit" has a nose that is yeasty, fruity, and packed with malt. The flavour opens like other Trappist beers that I have sampled: boozy, malt-driven, and supported by notes of raisin and apple. However, where the stuff sets itself apart is in the finish. While there are still lots of malt notes, but also a bit more bitterness than expected. For a strong, yeasty ale, the finish is quite short and verging on dry.

Trappistes Rochefort 8 has a pretty approachable flavour, but still provides loads of strength and a cartload of flavour. See it? Buy it.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10.