This beer is the (sometimes forgotten) baby of the Rochefort range. A 7.5% strong dark ale, owing lots of characteristics to a traditional Belgian dubbed style ale. It pours a dark amber to ruddy brown colour, and has a fruity and slightly herbal aroma.
There is sweetness on the palette from the rich malt base, with hints of dark stone fruit and a little Belgian candy syrup. Cutting through this sweetness is an earthy tone, and a subdued bitterness. There is medium carbonation, and a very smooth mouthfeel which finishes out slightly dry with little hint of any alcohol.
About the beer: Rochefort 6 is the oldest of the three beers produced, and was originally the only beer available in larger bottles. Despite its history, the Rochefort 6 is only produced once a year, and accounts for only around 1% of the monastery's production volume.
Why only dark beers? All three of the Rochefort beers are dark beers, which is something of a unique situation for a brewery. The reason is due to the water. Sourced from a well within the monastery, the water is high in calcium carbonate - a factor which best suits the production of dark beer!
Dubbel style beer brewed with 6 different malts and Saaz hops for a unique bitterness.
by Brouwerij Corsendonk (at Brasserie Du Bocq)
A classic Belgian dubbel style ale, ticking all the boxes as a perfect example of the style.
by Brouwerij Emelisse/Slot-Oostende
Emelisse's take on the classic Belgian Dubbel style
by Alken-Maes
A typical Belgian dubbel style beer, from a label with an interesting history
La Debauche presents their interpretation of the classic Belgian Dubbel style
A tasty Belgian Dubbel from an old abbey label, now owned by the might of Heineken
A traditional style Belgian dubbel from a little brewery in the village of Damme, just outside Bruges
The grandfather of Trappist strong dark ales - does it get any better than this?
The middle beer in the Rochefort range - a classic Trappist strong dark ale
