9.0
Definitely not a hateful 8
8.0Yes. I was in the mood for this tonight! Would like to try it again in a different mood but i jist got off a stomach thing and i wanted a good beer to be the first thing that entered my system...
8.57.5
Very good beer however I fancy the 10 a lot more. So this is a great beer for what it is..not my favorite
7.5Surprised that other Trappist ales keep failing to live up to the expectations set by Chimay Blue.
6.5Actually loved this one so much I accidentally replaced another beer's rating with the one meant for Rochefort. This was my favorite Belgian. A fantastic Trappist.
9.0Rochefort holds its own in this case, which is not easy. Cheers FOB - until next year. Thanks to everyone that made it possible.
8.5finished on a great beer, scored it an 8, because its on the bottle
8.0Scratch my earlier comment at the beginning of the contest about there being a lack of representation of Belgian beers. I think I read it on Breitbart. Have had this beer several times and it remains a prime example of a great Belgian beer. Liked the Chimay a bit better though, so I had to knock it down a half a peg.
9.5Not a huge fan of the style, but enjoyed this more than others I've had
7.0Simply a good beer
8.0“24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence?” ~ Steven Wright
10.0Beer comes in many forms and experiences. From Miller Lite longnecks to hoppy IPAs to snooty Belgian beers and everything below, in between, above and beyond. The true Belgian beer experience is very interesting and unique. Belgian "style" beers don't quite cut it for me. This Rochefort 8 has the Belgian "it" with sensations of dark, dusty stone fruit, mellow body and mildly astringent finish but I like a tad more brightness like Kwak and Maredsous for examples. And at the end of the day...and the end of FOB 2017...I'm still an Italian hoagie or Buffalo Wings & piney, resiny West Coast IPAs hophead. Amen!
8.07.5
9.0
6.5
7.0
I hate belgiums. However i really enjoyed this one. Probably best belgium i ever had
8.07.0
Like I mentioned in another Trappist review, I like all these. The first time I went to Europe to pursue my then girlfriend (now my wife), she introduced me to this type of beer. It was nothing like the Shiner Bock I had been drinking. It was a beer-piphany. So yeah, soft spot. All that said, this one didn't blow me away, but I liked it.
7.5a decent way to close out my case, a little more spice for my tastes that I want in a belgian, but solid nonetheless....until next year!!!
7.57.0
Great case this year! Thanks again Phil! Sip is overrated. FB = 2017 champion Less belgians and more sours!
5.0just wasn't in to it.
6.0I simply LOVE this beer! Had it in FOB a few years back, had it on draft in Belgium and saved this bottle for the 2nd to last beer this year, to be sure to end big. It didn't let me down - the only disappointment is that I won't have FOB and so many great beers like this one to look forward to next year.
10.0My last beer review so I'll take this moment to thank Phil and all of his minions, connections, and beer spirits a giant THANK YOU for pulling all of these wonderful and unique beers together so that I may get drunk in style. I feel fortunate to live in a place surrounded by wonderful brewmasters and rich enough to have the extra Benjamin lying around to afford them. "Beer is God's proof." May we follow the evidence to our own salvation or liver failure, whichever comes first.
7.0Great way to finish! Only 11 months until we crack open the next case!!!!
8.57.0
5.0
9.0
Once upon a time I loved the Belgian ale. But along came that American IPA with its citrusy highlights and hoppy bitterness. The Belgians were forgotten. Thanks to FOB and Rochefort 8 for rekindling my fondness of a strong Belgian . . . beer, that is.
8.5Tastes forward with all of it's heritage, a welcome change at the end of HopWeek/VT Week. But a stale aftertaste that reminds me of my love/hate relationship with this style. I prefer its predecessors to this humble brew... but still good.
7.0Malty and syrupy and Belgiany and overpriced-y.
7.0Dark, delicious, and boozy. Fruit flavors and spices do not disappoint!
8.0Big fucking disappointment at a 9 in this 6er. Bitch be gone!
9.08.0
I thought this would be a 10 for me. Not sure if it's the others in the competition, or if Rochefort has lost some of it's mojo. I still can't believe how they make a 9.2% mask so well.
8.55.0
7.5
Rochefort 10 isn't quite a 10 but this is most certainly an 8
8.07.5
Wrong place, wrong time.
3.07.0
Really like it but, maybe it is my mood tonight, but I found it a bit to sweet for me in the long run.
8.0Really like it but, maybe it is my mood tonight, but I found it a bit to sweet for me in the long run.
8.0Belgian Ale who's signature flavor is not vinegar. I'll take it. One only please
7.0Maybe the best Belgian I have ever had. Just terrific. Pours heady, boozy aftertaste, burn is enjoyable, banana forward. Reminds me of high school dates. :) What a way to end the 2017 FOB. Thanks, Phil, and thank you everyone for your enjoyable reviews. Incredible experience.
9.06.0
Dark delicious fruit, slightly bubbly, sweet but not too sweet in the finish
7.5Awesome Belgian - the 10 is one of my favorite of all time but the 8 is close
9.0definitely my favorite of week 3, some of the others were nice to try for a one time thing but I'll be buying this one down the road
8.09.0
8.5
8.5
Best of the belgians but still taking 1 point off to be a dick and make room for the great. IPA's in this year's case.
8.5Strong Belgian Ale very well crafted. Probably gave this a higher score last year but i am beginning to appreciate less powerful beer that doesn't pound you with the taste of alcohol. This tastes great but pounds the alcohol down your throat on the swallow
7.0Strong Belgian Ale very well crafted. Probably gave this a higher score last year but i am beginning to appreciate less powerful beer that doesn't pound you with the taste of alcohol. This tastes great but pounds the alcohol down your throat on the swallow
7.0That's the way to finish. Great beer great balance great look. Wish they weren't so expensive but worth it at the same time.
9.5I love Belgian Tripels but this beer might even be better. Loved the fruity, almost sugary after taste.
9.06.0
Rochefort 8 scored this one for me. As did Rochefort 10 last year (although I was a miser with my 10's...I think I gave it a 9.5). So thank you, Rochefort, for a really tasty brew, and thank you for making the scoring easy for me.
8.0something about this beer - always love it ! Monkishly sweet
9.0Another great Belgian beer. Thanks for a great FOB.
8.0Go figure. I actually like this. enough said.
9.0FOB has taught me that I don't hate Belgian beers...I don't prefer them, but I don't hate them. Baby steps...
6.0Winner in my Belgium preferred opinion
10.0So Rochefort 8.
8.0My first year in fob was the second year of the contest. Phil says let the Belgians warm. I sat in my kitchen with a meat thermometer waiting for this warm up. It was worth it then and worth it now.
9.0I really have a tough time rating these beers but the La Trappe Quad was far superior. I will say that the Belgiums are starting to grow on me.
7.07.5
7.0
1.0
8.0
Awesome. This was the winner in my first FOB several years ago. My eyes have been opened ever since. Thank you FOB!
9.5For me, this was the surprise of the case. Wasn't expecting to like it, but wound up living it... And it got better with every sip. Some beers pair well with a meal... This one felt like a meal replacement!
8.0Looking forward to getting back to Vermont.
7.5You are so dreamy-- Couldn't believe They spilled some-- Good thing kids are cute!
9.5This is a very nice Belgian. Fruity Belgian yeasts. Very fizzy and enjoyable. I'm learning to appreciate the Belgian style.
3.5Always a favorite.
8.0I liked the Chimay better of the Belgian strong darks. Found this kind of syrupy and verging on cloying in the sweetness department. Buried everything else. Not subtle, that's for sure.
5.0Decent. I prefer the Rochefort 10 by a lot.
7.0Redound my passion for Belgian brews thanks to the crew at FoB!! Awesome!
9.0Still one of my top 10, but getting bumped by all of the good IPA's out there.
9.0Good taste and very easy to drink. I'll drink more Belgians if they taste like this.
8.0Definitely enjoying Belgium beer more and more!
8.5This creamy Belgium just may have risen to the top of my Belgium rotation. How have I never had this?!? I can see how it was a previous winner. Nice balance and color. Delicious...I need another.
9.56.0
Sorry Belgian guys, just don't see it. I know these Trappists are good but ipas just freaking rock. All hail Vermont week!
8.0Been a big Rochefort 8 fan in the past and I fully expected this to be my favorite Belgian in the case. Not sure if it were the extra fizz in this pour or if it were the mere fact that I drank it right after Chimay which was a tough act to follow. But the upset has occurred. Chimay wins in the head to head battle.
8.0Sexiest monk of the bunch. Why waffles when you can have this.
9.0Fob is almost over and I'm a bit sad. It's been 7 years of incredible beers and meeting so many great people. Rochefort 8 is one of those beers that contributed to my snobbish outlook on beer. I'm a full on beer maniac now and I'm not sure where to go from here. I know I won't pay $135 a case for Rochefort but I so appreciate its magnificence and I know many of you will as well and that's why it's back. Two time winner and all timer in my book. Here's a picture of one of my long lost aunts from Belgian. Dan and George don't know about her yet
8.0I haven't quite reached the point where belgiums make it in to my standard rotation, but this one is pretty solid
8.0It's just not my thing. I don't get much out of it maybe raisins and dark fruit.
6.07.5
Very good for Belgian. I like to have it as a 1 off. Couldn't drink more than 1 or 2....maybe that's a good thing then....
7.5This classic brewery knows exactly what they're doing. Good old fashioned Belgian beer.
8.5My last beer of FOB 2017 and what a way to end it! This is just a fantastic Belgian. Would like to try this sometime back to back with a Roch 10. Another great year - thanks to Phil and all of FOB!!
9.5This is my favorite Belgian beer.
8.0Close to the perfect Belgian beer. Fantastic.
9.5Good Belgian.
7.58.0
10.0
I have a hard time differentiating between Belgians, but I have Chimay a 9 and this was every bit as good. Strong flavor and high octane but very drinkable. I'll have to remember to buy a bunch for Christmas next year so I can drink so many I can forget about my rotten kids for awhile.
9.0Enough of the Belgians Freakin sweet bananas. Time for some hop bombs!
6.5Perfectly fine Belgian... but for a hop head during Vermont IPA week, it's like a gift of nice socks to a 5 yr old on Christmas morning. I want to open something else.
7.5Good to have a rest From the parade of prime hops But nothing great here
6.5Sorry, I should like this as a beer lover. I don't. I'll do one more meme for Phil for my last check in.
5.0Another good Belgian. I liked that this one was not as sweet. Seemed good and bubbly. Pretty color. Just no wow.
7.5Rochefort 8 is one of the Original Gangsters. Fob is a creation( if you don't know)of Phil being bored one day, drinking a good beer. Don't know what that beer was. He called Reardon, or Scott, or AG, or Mike Lee, or Jesus, I don't know. He said to em something like , what are you're top five favorite beers? Fob is born! We may be drinking the greatest case of beer that anyone may ever accumulate. To all of my bros and sisters in FOB, you may get yelled at at work more often this month than any other, but that is only because Phil got drunk and started texting. Text on my brother!
8.5Ok ok ok...i surrender to the trappist swill. I was hoping for liquid blue cheese, but actually receive a pleasant surprise. For me its what's not here. No banana hammock, plum, mouth coating booze.
8.07.5
With just 4 more on the label, this would have been a 10.
7.08.0
One of my first 10s back the year it won. Hasn't changed much at all.
9.5Great beer. Makes me almost think that being a monk is a good idea.
8.0A very pleasant drinking experience. Like the Orval, this did not really drink like a beer. But instead of being more champagne-like, this one was had a subtle scotch-like flavor.
8.08.0
I am having a hard time scoring these Belgiums. The beer was better than other Belgiums but less than the Stoudt I drank in Fob17.
7.58.5
Perfect post spring classic beverage. If you don't know about the spring classics I hate you. #crafthater
8.0Wasn't as good as the last one i had, don't know why.
7.58.0
8.5
A solid Belgian, definitely a good drinker. For me, a high middle of the road for this category.
6.5Not typically a beer I drink but thank you FoB! Would not mind having another!
8.0Only a tad more enjoyable for me than the Chimay. I'm backing away from the foreign aisle as I dig into more of these. Dammit maybe I'm becoming isolationist too, beneath our orange leader. At least these don't taste like band aids...I'm guessing these are great tasting beers, just tastes that don't do much for me. Unrelated, but you're reading, so...I miss Nerlens and the flat top he rejuvenated.
7.08.0
really really tasty!
8.09.0
Smooth as silk.
8.51st evening drinking on the patio. I could live on my patio. In order to do that though I would need an IPA,Stout or Manhattan . This brew would not work
6.0Smooth as silk.
8.56.5
Drank this first out of the last week beers. Palate still set for Belgians and this was the best Belgian in the bunch. Now as reward I get 5 pounders from Vermont. Tomorrow will be the sip of sunshine. Whoever is best of the last 5 will likely emerge as the winner. I can see seriously see drinking the Rochefort in the winter rotation.
7.5Shared with friends this weekend. Very enjoyable, but just short of excellent for me.
8.0Really liked this Belgian...smoove AF
7.0Smells like a wet dog and tastes worse.
5.0Magnificent
10.0I went out of order on the scoring sheet, please don't arrest me or tell on me! Phil, not sure why you are placing an American beer, a DIPA nonetheless in a European week/category but I chose to end the week with a fine euro beer instead. Man is it good, it got 9.5 because the 10 is that much better. Once warmed, it was superb!
9.57.0
In 1987, American Airlines saved $70k a year by eliminating one olive from each salad served in first class and no one noticed. WTF? this beer is missing .8oz and unlike those snobby people flying first class in 1987, I freaking noticed. Docked score .5 for shorting me on a full bottle.
7.04.0
This may bottle may have been lost under the drivers seat of the truck driver. A little skunky.
5.0Personally, I love Belgian brews, so I was very happy to see this in the case. I'm not going into tasting notes, because I don't feel like it. Don't H8.
8.0Personally, I love Belgian brews, so I was very happy to see this in the case. I'm not going into tasting notes, because I don't feel like it. Don't H8.
8.0Warm caramel to start. Hot raisin as it warms. Such the best! The complexity of flavors is unparalleled.
9.0Mea culpa. Total operator error drinking this one early. Thought I was picking the Quad to complete week one. Clearly I have yet to develop a deep Belgian jones. Now I'm wondering if this is really that different than the Quad? I hope so cuz this one is just ok - hitting the spot after a work imposed 48 hour dry out, but not really the transcendent new FOB gem I was hoping for. And given my Super Bowl 51 transgressions, I refuse to soil the FOB process by cracking the Quad. I will have to wait. This FOB stuff really is making me a better person. This beer is a 5. Can't be a prior winner. Just makes no sense.
5.0A conversation I had at work today that only a limited audience would appreciate. Me: Craziest thing happened last night. Remember that Friends of Ben thing I told you about? Coworker: Yea? Me: Totally screwed up already. Coworker: Oh no! Me: Drank the Rochefort 8 instead of the La Trappe Quad. Silence. It was delicious though.
8.0Can't say enough about Belgium beers, the smooth nature, hints of bananas, general luxury of the style are great.
9.0I have never been the biggest fan of the Belgian beers, Belgian waffles, on the other hand are a whole other story. But this one is a bit more to my liking. Has a complex taste and a boozy aftertaste.
6.5