Trappistes Rochefort #6 330ML

Trappistes Rochefort #6 330ML is a 7.5% ABV Belgian Trappist dubbel brewed at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy in Rochefort, Belgium. Produced only about once per year and representing roughly 1% of the abbey's total output, this is the rarest and least encountered of the three Rochefort ales — earning a 97 rating on RateBeer and a Gold Medal at the 2006 World Beer Championships.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Province of Namur, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Trappist Dubbel  |  Brewery: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy

Production & Heritage

The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy has brewed beer within its monastery walls in the town of Rochefort since at least 1595, making it one of the oldest brewing sites in Belgium. Rochefort #6 — the number references its original Belgian gravity — is built on a grist of Pilsener and Munich-type malts, hopped with Hallertau and Golding varieties. While the abbey's #8 and #10 expressions receive most of the attention, the #6 stands apart as a small-batch rarity brewed approximately once annually, giving it a cult following among Trappist beer enthusiasts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Light malt sweetness leads, followed by warm caramel and freshly baked bread. As the beer opens up, softer notes of pear, fig, and a gentle yeasty herbaceousness emerge.

Taste: The entry is bready and malt-forward, giving way to a mid-palate layered with caramel, dark fruit, and a taffy-like richness. A strong honey component registers more as a textural sensation than overt sweetness, while subtle mocha tones and hints of raisin develop as the beer warms. A faint green banana note — classic Belgian yeast character — rounds out the complexity.

Finish: Medium in length with a soft, rounded close and a slightly sour edge that prevents the malt sweetness from lingering too long. Residual bread crust and dried fruit fade gently.

How to Drink Rochefort #6

Serve in a wide-mouthed chalice or goblet at 50–54°F (10–12°C) to allow the aromatic complexity to fully develop; avoid drinking it ice-cold. A Belgian-style Shandy works well with Rochefort #6's malt sweetness balanced by fresh lemon juice and sparkling water. In a Beer Flip — a classic warm cocktail with a whole egg and sugar — the caramel and honey notes amplify beautifully. It also serves as a compelling base for a Michelada variation, where its bready depth stands up to lime, hot sauce, and tomato.

Best For

• Gifting a Trappist beer collector seeking the hardest-to-find Rochefort expression
• A Belgian beer tasting flight alongside Rochefort 8 and 10
• Pairing with a charcuterie and cheese board on a cool evening
• Introducing an experienced craft beer drinker to authentic Trappist brewing

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Rochefort #6 taste like? Rochefort #6 is a malt-driven Belgian dubbel with dominant caramel, bread crust, and dark fruit flavors — particularly fig and raisin — underpinned by a honey-like sensation and gentle mocha undertones.

How does Rochefort #6 compare to Westmalle Dubbel? Both are authentic Trappist dubbels at similar strength (Westmalle Dubbel is 7.0% ABV, Rochefort #6 is 7.5%), but Rochefort #6 tends toward a richer caramel and fruit profile, while Westmalle Dubbel leans drier with more pronounced dark fruit esters and a crisper finish. Rochefort #6 is also significantly rarer, brewed only once per year.

Is Rochefort #6 good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its moderate 7.5% ABV, layered malt complexity, and balanced sweetness make it an ideal standalone sipper, especially when served slightly below room temperature in a proper goblet.

Where is Rochefort #6 made? Rochefort #6 is brewed inside the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy, a working Trappist monastery located in the town of Rochefort in the Province of Namur, Belgium.

What foods pair well with Rochefort #6? Aged Gouda or Gruyère complement its caramel maltiness; roasted pork or duck benefit from the beer's fruit and honey tones; a fig and walnut tart mirrors its dried-fruit character; and dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao echoes its mocha undertones.

What sizes does Rochefort #6 come in? Rochefort #6 is most commonly available in 330ml bottles, which is the standard format for this expression.

Is Rochefort #6 worth the price? Rochefort #6 positions in the premium tier for Belgian Trappist ales, and its extreme rarity — brewed roughly once a year at just 1% of total abbey production — combined with a RateBeer score of 97 and World Beer Championships Gold Medal, makes it one of the strongest values among collectible Trappist beers.

Why Rochefort #6?

Of the three beers produced at the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy, the #6 is the one most drinkers have never tried — brewed only once annually and accounting for a mere 1% of total output. That scarcity alone sets it apart, but the liquid justifies the hunt: a 97 RateBeer rating and 92 on BeerAdvocate confirm it as one of the world's elite dubbels. Its combination of caramel depth, dark fruit complexity, and restrained Belgian yeast character represents centuries of monastic brewing tradition distilled into a single 330ml bottle. For anyone serious about Trappist beer, Rochefort #6 is the missing piece of the collection.