Chimay Bleue (Blue)

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Bottle from 5-99. floral doughy aroma. appearance is a purplish tinted brown. tan head. flavor is complex.malt and yeast are the first taste to hit my tiongue has an alcohol bite that is not overdone. an earthy quality to this. i have been trying to place one of the other flavors and it just came to me, molasses and brown sugar without being overly sweet. and interesting beer. thanks for the bottle, Lumpy.

Bottle labelled 1999, from Metro Wines, Syston, Leicester. Very dark, probably black beer, with a shallow but firm creamy head. Strong grape and choc aroma. Smooth flavour with only a smidgeon of noticeable strength on the finish. Remarkably little flavour for such a strong beer - fairly watery with some smooth choc. Not outstanding, but does improve as you drink it. Would be very poor if served too cold - beware!

Deep, cloudy brown with a light brown head. Sweet caramel-fruit nose, some brown sugar. Complex, dark fruits - fig, date, raisin. Gets even more complex as it warms in the glass, the malts and caramel come through. Smooth mouthfeel. The best of the style that is widely available, IMHO.

1998 vintage. I was trying to save it for 10 years, but I ran ran out of fresh bottles. What’s a man to do? I subsequently realized that I have never rated Chimay, even though it has been one of my favorites for many years. It poured with a short (probably due to aging) tan head, eliciting a pleasant yeasty aroma. The alcohol was even less noticeable than usual from its mellowing over time. The flavor was still complex but more balanced than a fresh bottle, with a slightly chalky finish. The aging definitely altered the flavor but neither improved nor diminished it. It’s back to the beer store for more Chimay.

Now this is something. Pleasently sweet (not too sweet), goes down well, but maybe a little watery (I never thought I would say that about a 9.0% beer). Don’t get me wrong, this is a good beer but it’s not up there with the Westvleteren 12 and Rochefort 10’s of this word. I prefered the Chimay Blanche.

750ml corked bottle. Poured a deep burgundy color with a large-bubbled head that was quite lasting. Murkiness in the appearance intensified as I reached the end. Aromas of bananas and pear with a hint of roastiness. Harsh scents of isopropyl alcohol as it warmed. Fruited flavors were overpowered by intense sweetness. A metallic feel at the finish.

Nice brown/auburn coloration, malt, alcohol, rasberries. Very nice body, smooth, balanced. Was in the Top 50 forever for a reason.

Deep ruby with hints of orange. Big frothy lively tan head. Apple tart aroma. Some earthy malt aromas with definite alcohol notes. Shockingly smooth flavors. Tart and fruity with very balanced flavors. Body is medium. Alcohol is noticeable and the finish is very dry.