Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Good trapist beer. It isn’t a killer beer but nevertheless a beer to be drunk. So enjoy it...

Purchased at West Lakeview Liquors in Chicago, IL as part of a Chimay gift box with a glass, enjoyed after work on a Monday night. Appearance a murky brown with a thin off white head. Aroma of very pronounced dark fruit (fig, apricot), molasses, caramel malt, also rich in alcohol, very slightly sweet, complex (much more so than the red version). Taste is high in alcohol as well as the dark fruit, gives it a chewy like flavor, very rich body. Above average carbonation, it packs a punch for sure, it’s intense and very flavorful. There’s also a drink-ability that makes it fantastic. Of the 3 I like this one the best.

Ar- The aroma of the beer has peppery yeast esters rising from the glass. These combine well with flowery notes. Slightly roasted malt notes heading into caramel region. Lots of dark fruityness. Its like a bready fig newton with a pleasant alcohol kick. Ap- The body of the beer is dark brown with ruby highlights. The head was a thick biege coloration. Settling into a ring of foam. Steaks of lacing marks this beers passage. T- Roasted malty caramel, peppery yeast, a bit of chocolate heading into dark fruit figs in particular. The beer has a nice sweetness but is never cloying. P- The body is full but well carbonated. The alcohol is a bit hot but not annoying. O- A very complex and enjoyable beer drinking experience. This bottle may have been a bit young bottled on 2/11.

Bottle: This is one of those beers that I am happy that we can get them in any supermarket here, and not that expensive either. I enjoyed this brew years and years ago and still do to this day. Had different ones with different years and different ages and you can taste the difference. But one thing you can’t taste is the lack of body. Sometimes the maltyness is more present, other time the darker spices and darker fruits have a more dominant character. Whatever the case is, it’s a highly enjoyable beer.

The first Trappiste I’ve ever tried a few years ago. I drink Chimay Blue often. Very well balanced flavour. Must be enjoyed out of a Trappiste chalice. Glad to see it’s more readily available now than in the past. I regret not getting a 75cl bottle when I was in Belgium.

33cl bottle. Pours a red/brown with a decent, gray head. Nose : Burned malt with typical cherry alcohol notes. Little yeasty. Sip : Creamy with a good carbonation. Roasted whole grain bread with cherry alcohol notes. Caramel. Overall : it’s a typical strong Belgian that could be a tripple and quadrupel in the same time. Classic brew. Must enjoy.

Pours medium dark brown with a thick beige head that sticks around. Fresh aroma of caramel and sugar with yeast. Spritzy on the palate with lots of flavor. Medium mouth feel.

Brown coloured beer with small white head and medium carbonation. Fruity sweet aroma. Full sparkling palate. Finish is roasted sweet with some nice spicy touches and hoppy hints. Nice one!