Brasserie de Rochefort's Trappistes Rochefort 8

Planes, Trains, and Belgian Beer

The last time I had a Trappistes Rochefort 8, I traveled to it, sampling one of these lovely Abbey dubbels during a trip to Belgium.

This time, the Rochefort 8 came to me. The beer was waiting all chilled and ready for me in the refrigerator when I returned home from a long weekend away.

I tossed my bags to the center of the room, climbed into my comfy clothes, and immediately settled down on the couch with this dark, delicious pour.

Pale malts, dark fruits like prune and fig, a hint of clove . . . smooth and mellow and satisfying. The perfect accompaniment to my idle reflections on a great trip.

Then I tossed a classic film, Strangers on a Train, into the DVD player to lull me off to sleep.

Great beers on the road are always exciting. But it’s a different kind of love when you make them your own.

The Beer Details Brewer: Brasserie Rochefort (Rochefort, Belgium) Style: Belgian Strong Ale ABV: 9% Price: ~ $4/11.2 ounce bottle

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Want this beer? You don’t have to travel to Belgium. It’s very well distributed in the US. Check out your local specialty bottle shop.

Erin Malone is a Thursday Happy Hour contributing editor, providing the what's-up of beer all over on Fridays. Which beer do you like to have waiting for you at home? Let me know in the comments below. Or chat with me on Facebook.

Comments

[Hansen]

My mouth is watering. Great review of an amazing beer. It really does make a difference having a special beer waiting for you at home. I am partial to any brew from Carlsberg brewery in Denmark because I lived their for 5 months and loved every beer they produce, especially from the brewery. I think it would be Jacobsen Saaz Blonde that I would most like to come home to. Unless its cold, that's a whole different ball game.

[Erin]

Hi, Hansen. Living in Denmark for 5 months -- lucky duck! Thanks for the feedback on the column and your favorite beer to come home to. I haven't had the one you mentioned. Hopefully I will happen upon it someday. I love the meta-title for Carlberg's website: "Probably the Best Website in the World." :)