Chimay Blue

In the fourth and final instalment of our four-part blog series, we present another heavyweight of Belgian beer- the Chimay Blue dark ale, also known as the Grande Réserve. This is an authentic trappist beer, because it is brewed within the walls of a Trappist monastery, under the control and responsibility of the community of monks, who are involved through the process of making and marketing the beer. Most of the income generated by this activity is devoted to the needs of the community and social works. It is available from the The Belgian Beer Shop.

About Chimay Blue (Chimay.com)

Colour: Dark Brown
Alcohol by volume: 9%
Character, taste and aroma: The Chimay Blue is a dark ale with a powerful aroma. Its complex flavor improves with passing time.

History and description of Chimay Blue (Beerconnoisseur.com)

Grande Réserve was first launched in 1948 as a Christmas ale under the name “Blue Cap.” It’s success and reputation as a strong ale of the highest quality led to it’s year-round production as Chimay Grande Réserve. Today it is the standard bearer of the Chimay range and has become notorious for its amazing cellaring ability. A beer cellar on the grounds of the abbey secures a vast selection of Chimay Blue bottles whose ages span a multitude of decades.

The beer is remarkably dry for the style and the hint of sweetness is derived purely from the highest quality of malts. Flavors of dates, fig and pear are complimented by aromas of dark bread, with a touch of rose. As the beer ages it maintains its elegance while taking on flavors or sherry and tobacco.