Trappistes Rochefort – World-Class Belgian Trappist Beer

Brasserie de Rochefort, brewed inside the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in Wallonia, Belgium, is one of the most iconic names in Belgian beer culture – and one of only eleven officially recognized Trappist breweries in the world. Anyone serious about Belgian strong ales cannot ignore the three numbered classics Rochefort 6, 8, and 10, along with the newer Triple Extra.

The abbey's history goes back to 1230, when Count Gilles de Walcourt founded a Cistercian convent named "Secours de Notre-Dame." The first documented brewing activity began around 1595. War, plague, and the French Revolution (1797) repeatedly interrupted monastic life; only in 1887 did Trappist monks from the Abbey of Achel return to rebuild the site. The real breakthrough for the modern brewery came in 1952, when – with technical help from the brothers at Chimay – production finally reached a scale that allowed regular sales. In 2020, the brewery underwent a major modernization without giving up its monastic soul.

Key facts at a glance:

• Location: Abbey of Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy, Rochefort (province of Namur, Wallonia, Belgium)
• Founded: Abbey in 1230; first brewery around 1595; modern brewhouse since 1899
• Order: Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists)
• Certification: Authentic Trappist Product (ATP) – one of only eleven ATP-certified Trappist breweries worldwide
• Motto: Curvata Resurgo – "Though bowed down, I rise again"
• Water source: the calcium- and mineral-rich Tridaine Spring, located within the abbey walls – a defining element in the full-bodied character of Rochefort beers
• Philosophy: Only as much beer is brewed as the monastery and its charitable work require – no expansion for profit's sake

The Core Range:

• Rochefort 6 (red cap, 7.5% ABV) – The oldest recipe in the portfolio: a reddish-brown Trappist ale with a malty, slightly bitter character. Brewed only once a year in small volume (~1% of total production) – a true collector's beer.
• Rochefort 8 (green cap, 9.2% ABV) – Originally called "Spécial," the 8 is the best-known Rochefort beer: deep brown, complex, with notes of dried fruit, fig, leather, spice, and elegant sweetness.
• Rochefort 10 (blue cap, 11.3% ABV) – The mahogany-hued Belgian Quadrupel is often ranked among the greatest beers ever brewed: port wine, dark chocolate, leather, dried apricot – a masterpiece that ages beautifully for years.
• Triple Extra (8.1% ABV) – Launched in 2020, this golden-blonde Trappist Tripel offers citrus and spice notes, silky drinkability, and a surprisingly contemporary facet within an otherwise deeply traditional portfolio.

All Rochefort beers are bottle-conditioned and continue to develop like fine wine when cellared in cool, dark conditions. Rochefort 10 in particular is famously aged 5 to 10 years by connoisseurs.

In our shop, you'll find the Rochefort classics fresh from Belgium – individually, as a Trappist tasting set, or paired with the original Rochefort chalice glass. Serve between 12 and 14 °C for the fullest aroma experience.