Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

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UPDATED: JAN 24, 2005 When I first had this beer, it was one of the first strong Belgians for me. It blew me away. Over the years, I’ve felt that while it is a complex, tasty beverage, it has been eclipsed. Whether it is me or the beer is debatable - and indeed the topic of the perceived decline of Chimay beers over the past decade is one of the most heated in the world of beer geeks. Well, I finally decided to sit down and give this a proper re-rate. I’ve got a small bottle of 2004 from my local liquor store.

The colour is kind of unusual in that there is a big disparity between the colour - under the light it’s a golden brown but in the glass it’s dark chestnut. The head is very light mocha. The aroma is plummy, slightly bubblegummy with notes of honey, pears, sweet dark malts and a little bit of yeast. Nice. It has a sweet palate with pear, orange, and sultana notes. A strong alcohol presence cuts through dusty yeastiness. Flavour notes are well-fused, save for the obtrusive alcohol.

Many flavors here that are fighting for attention. Dried fruits, toffee, caramel and a pleasant bitterness. Recommended!

Hazy Brown, cloudy, lovely full and persistent head, firm bubbles. Yeast, caramel and fruits (figs) on the palate its broad, creamy full on with good length and well integrated bubbles which refresh nicely, add weight and volume. Lovely!!

An old favourite, from long before my beer interest reached its current level, it’s nice to notice this one still is as good as I remember it from the late 90’s when esp0r and I discovered the excitement outside of Lagerland. Dark brown, good tanned head. Warm aroma of dark fruits, malts, vanilla. Really complex taste of dried fruits, alcohol, spice, yeast and flowers. Good aroma, with just the right level of carbonation - lasting sweet finish

Bottle shared with (and courtasy of) Inbreak and ClubGonzo. Vintage 2007. Pours a hazy brown colour with a small beige head. Nice sweet aromas of dried fruit, wood, leather, fudge, port and a hint of alcohol. In the flavour I find leather, dried fruit, coffee and some anis and something salty (licorice). Light bitterness, and slick but a bit watery mouthfeel. The beer has a good aroma but feels a bit thinner in the taste.

Pours dark brown-amber with a thick creamy-smooth tan head. Sweet malt, yeast, some spices and some dark fruits on the aroma. Roasted malt, caramel, dark fruits (probably plums), yeast and spice. A little alcohol at the finish. Smooth and balanced beer with complex taste. Great beer.

Excellent beer that you must try. It has smell of dark fruits, cherries, malt and yeast. It’s medium, creamy and has great carbonation. Smooth and rich beer that tastes like mild cherry, belgian yeast and caramel. 9% alc didnt feel so much. Great beer!

Aroma is plums, prunes, raisins, smoky malts, caramel, metallic hops and booze. Taste is plenty of caramel, cocoa, roasted malts, sugar, raisins and plums, spicy and a bit nutty. A bit of metallic hops with a liitle sour funk. Palate is medium with tons of carbonation. Very rich, smooth and complex. Very, very well done.

Oh my goodness, ladies and gentlemen. This gem pours to an amazing head and lacing with a beautiful dark copper color. Intoxicating scent - plum, mandarin, banana, yeast, floral, pure bliss. Suppose it could be a tad stronger, but still. Flavors - candy apple, banana, malt, booze, grapefruit, heaven. Lingering lip-licking complexity. One of the greatest beers to ever grace mankind.

Very well balanced, but nothing about it stands out as spectacular. Some raisin and dried fruit flavors mixed with a little herbiness. A tasty and very solid beer that’s been overhyped.

Roasty and malty. Slightly yeasty plum raisin flavor. Overly carbonated for my taste. Nice dark caramel color ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone