Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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This beer was a little on the strong side and had too much of an alcohol taste for my liking. Not terrible, but I expected something smoother.

Das Chimay Bleue kredenze ich stilvoll aus einer wuchtigen 1,5-Liter Magnumflasche mit Champagner-Korken, welcher nochmal mit dicker Goldfolie umwickelt ist. Es handelte sich um eine Abfüllung von 2002, haltbar bis Ende 2007. Das Bier hat also schon gut gelagert. Dunkelbraun die Farbe mit cremigen Schaum. Im Geruch holzig (Eiche), fruchtig mit Portweinanklängen. Geschmacklich superb. Nussig-schokoladig, malzige Mitte bei einer leichten Fruchtigkeit im Hintergrund. Dabei sehr, sehr vollmundig und sanft auf der Zunge prickelnd. Trockener Portwein-Abgang mit wärmender Alkohol-Note. Dieses Bier ist fulminant! Dazu bei trägt mit Sicherheit die Lagerzeit in einer übergroßen Flasche. Geschmackserlebnis der Oberklasse. Zu dritt genossen, war die Pulle überraschend schnell leer. Aber egal, im Keller lagert genügend Reserve.Test vom 11.2.2007, Gebinde: Glasflasche

Nice strong beer. Pours a very dark brown with a light brown head. Nose is alcoholic and of yeast.

UPDATED: MAY 28, 2011 28-05-’11 New bottle, follow up on previous rating
Much better. Guess my previous bottle was a fluke. Good malts and yeast nose. Flavour is sweet, dried plums, cardemom and different other sweetish spices.

Original rating
Very, very enthousiastic. Half of it pours out of the bottle upon opening, before I can get it over the glass, which wasn’t more than 50cm away. Alcoholic aroma, some liquorice, bit metallic. Flavour alcoholic, no real depth. Is this a fluke bottle? BestBefore is 2015, so it can’t be more than a year old. Will taste it again soon to see.
(From 0,33L bottle)

Had a bottle of Chimay Blue yesterday. Poured into original Chimay goblet it formed a decent off white head on top of a clear brown beer. My friend poured the yeast depot into his glass as well, made it a bit cloudy and it bit more bitter. Aroma is full with fruits. Plums, abricots, some apple, blackberries and blueberries. All with a nice hint of kandy sugar to add some sweetness. Flavour is full of differents sweets and bitters. You can definitely define the fruits, as well as the use of the kandy sugar. A really subtle, round and well balanced body made this a one of a kind brew. Enjoyed in the sun yesterday and it was great.

Can’t complain about this. I love it. Belgium yeast. A ton of flavor. When in doubt go chimay. I will say I like the white better...I know its crazy. This pours beautiful. Taste carmely, sweet,slightly boost and leaves your mouth clean and wanting.

Hazy dark brown with an off-white head. Aroma is sweet, malty, dried fruit and rather spicy. Flavor is rather sweet and slightly bitter. Sweet and spicy finish with warming alcohol. 220511

UPDATED: MAR 7, 2012 22/5/11 Dark tan, hazy appearance in glass. Aroma of bread, yeast, slightly floral. Taste of bready yeast, sweet caramel, raisin, complex malt character, bit of spicy floral hop - well balanced, the 9% abv well masked- just enough alcohol to contribute to the taste. Luxuriant feel in mouth. Smooth. Finish quite rapid, warming pleasant transient spicy alcohol tang. I like this one!
8/5/9/4/17 4.3

Re-rate 07/03/12 ...3.8...not as good after having a lot more trappist beers....alcohol quite noticeable here.....33cl bottle.....last rating very early one

Bottle. Pours dark brown with creamy beige head. Aroma is of roasted malt sweetness, earthy. Taste is of raisin, sugars, alcohol. Lively carbonation with slightly bitter aftertaste. Definitely not my favorite Belgian but is drinkable. I think it may be slightly over-rated

This is one of my favorite Trappist beers! it has some nice floral hop notes with some citrus hints a nice light head with some dry fruitiness and some chocolate and coffee and a hint of earthiness...