Chimay Bleue (Blue) / Grande Réserve

Brewed by Chimay
Style: Belgian Strong Ale
Baileux, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Dark cider/brown color; Medium slightly cream body; Aroma of sweet malt, yeast, dark fruit, & some spice; Flavor of slight roasted malt, yeast, caramel, dark fruit (notably plums), and spice; Some alcohol at the finish; Nicely balanced and complex; Overall, excellent brew - my favorite Chimay.

I’ve known about his one for 10 years, when my yupscale grocery store liqur manager recomended this, but never tried it until today. I rationalized that there were lots of local beers just as good as this at a lower price, and spent 8 years trying chaep alternatives. This weekend I finally decided to pony up and try this one, in a 750ml corked bottle, which opened with a moderate pop. Pours a hazy dark brown with a persistent beige head. Smells of dark fruits plus floral hops. The aroma is the same, with the addition of banana, cloves, and other spices. Tastes a little spicey, Quite complex. Body is full with livelt carbonization. A wonderful brew which the average poop off the street can’t afford to enjoy.

My favorite ale from the first time that I ever tasted it. Very strong with an incredible finish. The subtle hoppy flavor distinguishes this beer. The other big positive is the rich, dark color and full head. I love this beer, but have to be careful since it has a high ABV.

2008 Grande Reserve: Drank 03-Feb-2012; a dark brown cloudy beer with a very rich red fruity and candy sugaer, sweet flavour and a warming spicy finish. A very good Dubbel that hides its alcoholic strength well.

brown, black, hazy, minimal head, tan foam, caramel, nuts, toast, raisin, heavy cloying sweetness, lightly sour, full body, oily feel, average carbonation,

33 cl bottle from a Trappist glass. Pours a dark muddy brown color with a small, white head. Aroma has some yeast and figs...very nice. Taste has some nice dark fruit notes, a moderate yeasty note, and a finish with a surprising roasty character. Not as confectionary as some of the other Trappist quads...but nice in its own right.

Bottle at North Bar, Leeds. Pours a deep coppery brown, with large foamy head. Aroma is brilliant - Belgian yeast, figs, raisins, malt. Taste is similar, lots of dark fruits teamed with the Belgian yeast character, dark malts and a nice hop spiciness as well. Thick mouthfeel, a touch sticky. Classic Chimay balance between sweetness and bitterness. Long, warming finish. Brilliant.

Tastes fruity, kind of honey maybe, and the traces are special. Goooooood one.