A while ago, I went to Roger Wilco in search of Harviestoun and wound up with a mixed six of various Trappistes and Abbey ales. The first bottle that I opened was the Trappistes Rochefort 8. Now, I moved on to the Rochefort 10, a Belgian Quad. Having had such a positive experience with the Rochefort 8, I was pretty sure that the Rochefort 10 would be another fine product imported by the folks at Merchant du Vin.
A brief history from the Merchant du Vin site:
The Abbey of St-Remy, in the southern part of Belgium, was founded in 1230, and the monks began to brew beer sometime around 1595. The beautiful small brewery in the abbey, Rochefort Trappistes, is one of only seven Trappist breweries in the world and makes full-bodied, deeply flavored dark ales. They are bottle-conditioned and among the world’s most highly-respected beverages. Only beers made in a Trappist Monastery, under the supervision of the monks, can use the Authentic Trappist Product seal.
Here is what Merchant du Vin has to say about the Rochefort 10:
Although written records of brewing at Rochefort date to 1595, Rochefort 10 was developed in the late 1940s and early 50s. It appears on virtually every list of the world’s finest beers. Dark brown color. Great strength balanced by a complexity of flavors and firm malt backbone. The bouquet covers a wide range: port wine, leather, apricots, oak, spices – a deeply intriguing beverage.
I found the Rochefort 10 to have the following characteristics…
- Appearance: Dark brown with tan foam and good lacing.
- Aroma: Sweet malt, wine and dried fruit (raisins, dates and figs).
- Taste: Medium body with a fizzy, boozy almost barley wine flavor.
- ABV: 11.3%
I think I missed something with the Rochefort 10. Don’t misunderstand, this was a very good, maybe even a great beer. I just liked the Rochefort 8 a whole lot more.
