Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Snifter. Appearance: Rich mahogany with thin sustained head. Aroma: Plum and other dark fruit, with molasses, figs, rum, a hint of cloves and a blast of alcohol. Taste: Very fruity and a little sweet with plum, figs, molasses and a mild earthiness. Somewhat rum like overall, although the alcohol is not as noticeable as in the smell. Palate: Moderate carbonation, fairly full body, very smooth and warming. Slightly dry at the end despite the sweet malts. Overall: Great sipper that has fantastic malt complexity. Very much an archetype for the style.

AROMA: chocolate, dough, floral APPEARANCE: red, brown, clear, frothy then minimal TASTE: light sweetness, medium bitterness, PALATE: full body, creamy, lively, short bitter aftertaste OVERALL: a fantastic Belgian strong beer that develops character when kept for years in the cellar. The alcohol is beautifully hidden. The aromas linger very long.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Small bottle. Poured dark brown with little head that retained. Aroma and flavour is mostly of dark fruits and yeast. Smooth finish.

33cl bottle. Pours deep russet colour with thick, foamy head. Very light aroma, barely discernible, hints of hops. Taste, however, is a different story: spicy, with tastes of apples and pears - sweet and creamy. Slight sharp aftertaste. A great drink!

Sampled often. Dark burnt caramel pour with a towering eggshell head that leaves significant lacing inside of the glass. Definitely on a Belgian kick. Fruity nose with some yeasty/peppery qualities. Brown sugar, plum, raisin, toffee, and spicy with the ABV masked beautifully. Medium mouthfeel. Yum.

Bottle from Csak a jó sör. Poured murky, deep-brown and massive, firm, beige foam. Not very complex, light hints of caramel and flowers in the nose. Aroma of plum, raisins and cocoa. Sweet, but not too much, well balanced with a discreet hoppyness in the finish, which is then settled with a sweet aftertaste that lasts. Alcohol is well hidden. Everything is in order, even if it could use more complexity.