Trappistes Rochefort Triple Extra 330ml is a Belgian Trappist strong blonde ale brewed at 8.1% ABV by Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in Rochefort, Belgium. This release marks the monastery's first new beer since 1955 — a gap of 65 years — and earned a 98 out of 100 rating on RateBeer. Quick Facts: ABV: 8.1% | Origin: Rochefort, Wallonia, Belgium | Style: Belgian Strong Blonde / Tripel | Brewery: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy Production & Heritage The monks at Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy have brewed within the abbey walls for centuries, but the world knows Rochefort primarily for its dark numbered trilogy — the 6, 8, and 10 — established in the 1950s. Triple Extra draws inspiration from a strong blonde recipe the monks originally brewed around 1920, decades before those iconic beers existed. The grist combines barley malt and wheat malt with orange peel and spices, fermented with the abbey's house yeast to an original gravity of 1.073 and bittered to a restrained 22 IBU, yielding a beer of considerable strength yet approachable balance. Tasting Notes Aroma: Sweet and fruity at first encounter, giving way to toasted malt, green apple, and pear. A definite woodiness emerges alongside raisin-like dried fruit and subtle citrus from the orange peel. Taste: The entry is smooth and surprisingly light in mouthfeel for its strength, with heirloom fruit flavors arriving first — think orange marmalade and apple purée. The mid-palate develops complexity with candi sugar sweetness, mild clove spice, white pepper, and floral hop character. A pineapple-like tropical brightness and hints of vanilla round out the peak. Finish: Medium-long and dry, with lingering pine hop bitterness balancing residual sweetness. Spice and citrus echo gently as the warmth of the 8.1% ABV surfaces with composure. How to Drink Triple Extra Serve at cellar temperature — around 10–12°C (50–54°F) — in a tulip glass or wide-bowled goblet to concentrate the aromatic complexity. A slow, contemplative pour with a gentle tilt preserves the signature Trappist head while controlling the lively carbonation. Triple Extra stands as a sipping beer in its own right, but it also works in beer-forward mixed drinks: a Belgian 75, replacing champagne with this golden ale for a malty twist on a French 75; a Beerimosa, blending it with fresh-squeezed orange juice to amplify its citrus character; or a Tripel Shandy, combining it with house-made lemonade and a sprig of thyme for a refreshing warm-weather serve. Best For Gifting a Trappist beer collector — the rarity factor of Rochefort's first new release in 65 years carries genuine significance Hosting a Belgian beer tasting flight alongside Rochefort 6, 8, and 10 Celebrating a milestone with a distinctive, conversation-starting bottle Introducing dark-beer skeptics to the Rochefort range through a more accessible blonde style Frequently Asked Questions What does Triple Extra taste like? Triple Extra delivers a layered blend of orange marmalade, green apple, candi sugar, and mild clove spice within a smooth, golden body. Despite 8.1% ABV, it drinks with a deceptively light mouthfeel balanced by a dry, gently bitter finish. How does Triple Extra compare to Rochefort 8? Rochefort 8 is a dark Belgian strong ale at 9.2% ABV with pronounced fig, caramel, and dark fruit character, while Triple Extra is a lighter-bodied blonde at 8.1% ABV emphasizing citrus, spice, and fresh fruit. They share the same house yeast and monastic origin but occupy very different flavor territories. Is Triple Extra good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its complex aromatics, balanced sweetness, and moderate bitterness reward slow, attentive drinking from a proper goblet at cellar temperature. Where is Triple Extra made? Triple Extra is brewed inside Abbaye Notre-Dame de Saint-Rémy in the town of Rochefort, located in the province of Namur in Belgium's Wallonia region. It carries the Authentic Trappist Product designation, meaning production occurs within the monastery under monastic supervision. What foods pair well with Triple Extra? Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese, which mirror its nutty malt depth; moules-frites, where the beer's carbonation and citrus cut through the richness of butter sauce; roast chicken with herbs, complementing the clove and floral notes; fresh fruit tarts, especially apple or pear, echoing the beer's orchard-fruit aromatics; and charcuterie boards with mild salami and country pâté. What sizes does Triple Extra come in? Triple Extra is available in the standard 330ml bottle, which is the format most widely distributed for this release. Is Triple Extra worth the price? Triple Extra positions as a premium Trappist offering, and its value rests on genuine scarcity — authentic Trappist breweries are among the rarest in the world, and this particular release ended a 65-year hiatus. Within the broader Belgian strong blonde category, it sits at the higher end, justified by its provenance and critical reception. Why Triple Extra? Only fourteen monasteries in the world hold the Authentic Trappist Product designation for beer, and Rochefort is among the most revered. When the monks chose to release their first new beer since 1955, they reached back a full century to a blonde recipe that predated the famous 6-8-10 lineup. That historical thread, combined with a 98/100 rating on RateBeer and a 93 on BeerAdvocate, places Triple Extra among the most critically acclaimed Belgian blondes available. For anyone serious about Trappist brewing, this is not simply another tripel — it is a rare glimpse at a side of Rochefort the world had never tasted.
