Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Like a previous reviewer, I also liked this beer, but was a bit underwhelmed. Everything about it is good, but not amazing.

Found it to be a good Belgian Abbey ale, just wasn’t bowled over by it, because it seemed slightly subdued.

After finding three of the seven trappist ales available at my local Carrefour I indulged about bought one of each. Given it’s reputation, I decided to start with the Chimay Bleue in a 33cl bottle. I was not disappointed. It poured a dark and cloudy chocolate/caramel color into the glass and left a creamy head which did not disappear right away, but left an enjoyable froth on the sides of my glass. It had a much fruitier fragrance than I expected given it’s strength and color with yeast in for good measure. I actually found my mouth water when i wafted it in. Again, it’s flavor surprised me. I have tried my fair share of beer at and over 9% apv and I usually find them overpowering but not this one. It had good dried fruit and bread/grains to the palate with a pleasant malt without the over powering sensation of a high alcohol content. It finished a mild bitter and left me swirling, smelling and sipping until it was done. I did not want to gulp it at all, which in this case was a good thing. Given that I am new to the Trappist beers I may have to come back to this review at some point in the future. I am not, however new to Belgian beers and this is one fine example of a good strong Belgian Ale. Undoubtedly worth a try by anyone who loves beer.

There is no doubt that this is one of the big Trappist beers and synonymous with Belgian ales. A murky brown in colour with moderate carbonation. The aroma has dried fruits and prunes with some roasty chocolate type aroma there too. Flavour is quite full with some slight alcoholic hotness. This is not my favourite style of beer but there’s no doubting it’s the epitamy for this style.

The most well-known Trappist ale. It is a decent Belgian Strong ark ale, but not near the pinnacle.

Probably one of my all time favourites. The pour is a dark earthy brown with a thick beige head. Aromas of alcohol, candied fruit, dark fruits, bread, toast. Fruity esters of raisin, apricot, prune, plum and brown sugar. The taste is amazingly smooth and low on alcohol taste. Sweet candy and apples with raisin and dark fruit aftertaste. One of the sweetest and most delicious beers ever. Mild bitterness on the finish. Soft carbonation and a thick medium bodied beer.

Pours a rich deep brown and red. Smell is of yeast, dark fruits and spices typical of the style (mostly cloves). Taste is fairly sweet, with a lot of the spice. Finish is mostly of alcohol. Body is pretty light, with light carbonation. Unfortunately i taste a slight metallic flavour in the finish, not what i would expect from a beer of such acclaim. It is quite a bit lighter feeling than most of the other Belgian Strong Ale’s i’ve had. Very tasty ale, but i can say i have had BSA’s that i have enjoyed more.

snifter 750 ml bottle from SAQ. Big "pouf" on uncorking a bit of beer spoilage too much carbonation no sign of infection tough. App : Hazy brown dark reddish. Lasting white / beige head. heavy carbonation. A : Bready note, caramel, chocolate, grappes, alcool. T : body is medium finish is sweet but diggestive. O: A classy belgian ale...classic