Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

UPDATED: JUL 28, 2011 75cl bottle from a beer retailer. It pours a very dark brown (almost black) liquid with reddish tones and a high and consistent high head that leaves a nice lacing. Delicious look. The aroma is yeasty and fruity, with some spices. I can smell dark fruits, ripe pears, fresh bread, a little herbal hops and a roasted malts base; impressive. It is nice the way the 9% of alcohol are completely blent with the brew. It tastes likewise, with a good deal of yeast and a complete malt base, with dark fruits, ripe pears, a little light caramel, general mild roastiness and even a little wood. The palate is perfect: a little prickle in the mouth and the tongue from the calmed but lively carbonation (as well as the alcohol), a full body with a very dense sensation in the mouth. It has a great and long finish: sweetness, some caramel and roasted malts; mild but lasting. Some herbal hints also. There is almost no bitterness (nor dryness) in this beer, being basically sweet. Smart presentation (bottle and crown cap) for my favourite one. No beer can make me feel like Chimay Bleue does. Might be the best in the world.

Appearance: The little bugger is an exploder upon opening, be warned. Bottle into a *Westmalle* (gasp) trappist glass. Dark bronzey and reddy-brown, very gorgeous red color when placed in the sunlight. Some floaty stuff, and the head is thick and foamy with a very light brown coloration. Quite active carbonation. Looks very "happy" if you will, and it’s quite beautiful. Aroma: Sweet, like dry fruits, complemented by a dark, earthy and woody smell and a small hint of yeastiness which reminds me of bread a bit. Reminds me of black licorice somewhat too. Taste: A darkish, sweet taste almost like brown sugar that gets just a little bitter; you can taste the malt in this one. Aftertaste is a light bitterness along with alcohol, kinda like the stronger cough candies. Again, reminds me of black licorice. VERY nice. Palate: Smooth, though foamy and almost oily and dare I say thick, though not in a bad way. Leaves a residue behind in your mouth that feels very active and alive. Warming too. Lots of carbonation. Overall: Very nice, cheaper and easier to find than all of the Rochefort, but not quite as good, but I guess you get what you pay for. Not a beer to drink all the time, everyday, but I won’t feel guilty cracking one open with a good meal every few days or so. This is a good "introductory beer" that I will recommend to many who are interested in trying something decent for once.

Pitch dark brown with a white head. Malty and yeasty aroma with caramel, dark fruits and woody tones. Full and very smooth palate. Flavour is great, complex, with berries, plum, spices and chocolate.

Bomber shared with friend Damian. Pours out a murky golden brown with a huge head but it quickly disappeared. Aromas of vine ripened plums berries and grapes. Belgium yeast add some spicy tones along with the roasted malts. Tastes follows nose with a slight sweetness due to the added dark candied sugar. Lively mouth feel. Finishes long with a pleasant lingering yeasty maltiness. Another winner from Chimay.

From a smaller bottle. Very good. Very enjoyable for style/class of beer.

Pours a very dark cloudy brown with a frothy off white head. Aroma is yeasty with some dark fruits. Taste is a complex mixture of yeast, fruit and some ever so distant roastiness. Next to no bitterness but a very long and satisfying finish. I guess my only beef is I’d like to see a bit less fizziness on the palate. But this is a trivial concern and doesn’t detract too much. Overall, just downright glorious!

i was really drunk when i had this but remember thinking that it was perfect. will rereview in a week or less.

Chimay "Blue" has a thick, creamy, beige head with numerous streams of tiny bubbles streaming up, but not much lacing. It overflowed after I poured it. The appearance is a hazy brown. Aroma was nominal, I found. I just couldn’t pick up much, aside from some sweetness. The flavor, however, was quite pronounced and strong- this beer is very wine like. There was a good balance between the barley and hops, so I wasn’t really able to pick up one or the other ingredient. Lots of over-ripe fruits (prune?) show up here. And, alcohol really makes its presence known. Mouthfeel is thick and heavy, and Chimay "Blue" finishes dense. This is a sipper for sure. Overall, I thought this was very good, yet not excellent. Yet, I’m sure that with all the character this beer has, I do need to try this more than once. RJT