11.2 oz bottle
Figured for my first Chimay I might as well grab a blue. I've only heard good things about this Belgian strong dark ale. And it's made by Trappist Monks. They've rarely lead me wrong before.
Chimay Blue pours a nice brown color, about the color of a loaf of whole wheat bread crust, with the head being the actually whole wheat bread color. Head starts at about an inch and a half, quickly diminishes to about half an inch. Carbonation is incredibly evident in this beer, both by sight and sound while pouring. Nice fruity sweetness off the nose, some peach, white grape, and cherry at least, with a little bit of tartness coming in on the scent as well. Raisin , brown sugar, and bread tones as well.
As the beer warms a bit, I'm noticing the scents beginning to change: a bit of spiciness, possibly cloves, mixed with a stronger banana sweetness. Some earthiness in the scent as well, almost like whole wheat bread. Hints of raisin and brown sugar remain as well.
First taste reveals a nice, full bodied ale, a little bit of clove spice and some raisin and plum sweetness (maybe the smallest hints of cherry and peach, but possibly just residual from the scent). A good amount of earthiness and heartiness to this one. Maybe a little bit of banana. Alcohol is faintly evident. Carbonation is very evident in taste. Dry finish with minimal hops, which is odd for such a sweet beer (the dry finish, not the lack of hops). The warmer the beer gets, the more the earthy wheat and banana comes out.
There is a lot of good flavor going on in this beer. Which makes it good. But the flavors don't play together spectacularly - the flavor presence is there, but metaphorically: "too many chefs in the kitchen". Which is disappointing. The carbonation is a little too overpowering for me. Not a bad beer, just not the great beer I was expecting from the Trappists. Chimay Blue was alright, but probably not something I'd actively seek out again.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Figured for my first Chimay I might as well grab a blue. I've only heard good things about this Belgian strong dark ale. And it's made by Trappist Monks. They've rarely lead me wrong before.
Chimay Blue pours a nice brown color, about the color of a loaf of whole wheat bread crust, with the head being the actually whole wheat bread color. Head starts at about an inch and a half, quickly diminishes to about half an inch. Carbonation is incredibly evident in this beer, both by sight and sound while pouring. Nice fruity sweetness off the nose, some peach, white grape, and cherry at least, with a little bit of tartness coming in on the scent as well. Raisin , brown sugar, and bread tones as well.
As the beer warms a bit, I'm noticing the scents beginning to change: a bit of spiciness, possibly cloves, mixed with a stronger banana sweetness. Some earthiness in the scent as well, almost like whole wheat bread. Hints of raisin and brown sugar remain as well.
First taste reveals a nice, full bodied ale, a little bit of clove spice and some raisin and plum sweetness (maybe the smallest hints of cherry and peach, but possibly just residual from the scent). A good amount of earthiness and heartiness to this one. Maybe a little bit of banana. Alcohol is faintly evident. Carbonation is very evident in taste. Dry finish with minimal hops, which is odd for such a sweet beer (the dry finish, not the lack of hops). The warmer the beer gets, the more the earthy wheat and banana comes out.
There is a lot of good flavor going on in this beer. Which makes it good. But the flavors don't play together spectacularly - the flavor presence is there, but metaphorically: "too many chefs in the kitchen". Which is disappointing. The carbonation is a little too overpowering for me. Not a bad beer, just not the great beer I was expecting from the Trappists. Chimay Blue was alright, but probably not something I'd actively seek out again.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
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