Head to Head: Rochefort Trapistes 8 vs. Westvleteren Extra 8

Welcome to another Head to Head challenge. Today we have two Belgian Strong Ales. Both beers are from Trappist breweries in Belgium. The first is Rochefort Trappistes 8. The second is Westvleteren Extra 8.

As usual the tasting was done blind and rated to style.

Price: Winner – Rochefort by a massive margin.

Rochefort - $6.50 (12 oz)
Westvleteren - $30 (12 oz)

Appearance: Winner – Tie

Rochefort – Pours a nice brown with a small off-white head. The small head quickly subsides leaving a small amount of lace.
Westvleteren – Pours a slightly cloudy brown with a thin off-white head. The head does not last to long and leaves a trace of lace on the glass.

Aroma: Winner – Westvleteren with a subtle victory.

Rochefort – Good aroma with hints of smoke and coffee. This has none of the sweetness I would expect.
Westvleteren – This has a very small and subtle aroma. There are hints of molasses and chocolate and maybe a bit of butterscotch. But none of the aromas are strong.

Taste: Winner – Westvleteren

Rochefort – The only way I can describe this is that it is rough. There is no subtlety, no sweetness just a bit of acidity. Unfortunately both bottles tasted the same.
Westvleteren – This starts really quietly. At first all you notice is smoothness then the flavors slowly start to appear. Almost one at a time there is fruit, candy, chocolate and then a trace of bitterness.

Body/Finish: Winner – Westvleteren

Rochefort – The body is slightly astringent and lacking depth.
Westvleteren – The finish is not that long but balances the slight bitterness with a nice creamy feel.

Overall: Winner – Westvleteren
The lopsided nature of this test might be a bit misleading. Unfortunately both bottles of the Rochefort 8 were not in prime condition. They lacked all the depth and subtlety that is normal for them. I have had them enough to know the difference in what it should be verse what these two bottles were. That aside I do not think it would have won. The Westie really is that good.

If I can pick up another bottle of the Rochefort 10 I will do a rematch as it deserves another go and I have one bottle of the Westie left.

~ by alelagerlambic on March 20, 2008.