Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) - Bières de Chimay S.A.

Displayed for educational use only; do not reuse.

BA SCORE
96
world-class
-
4,092 Ratings

THE BROS
90
exceptional
-
read more »

rAvg: 4.32
pDev: 11.11%
Reviews: 2029
Hads: 2063

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Bières de Chimay S.A.

Belgium

Style | ABV
Belgian Strong Dark Ale | 9.00% ABV

Availability: Year-round. bottle (2018), on-tap (7), growler (2), cask (1), nitro-bottle (1).

Notes:
No notes at this time.

View: Beers (5) | Events (0)

Reviews

Sort by: Latest | High | Low | Top Reviewers |

Alström Bros | Show Hads:

« first ‹ prev | 1-25 | 26-50 | 51-75 | next › last »

Reviews by danieelol:

danieelol

Australia

2.88/5 rDev -33.3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Chimay chalice. 2010 vintage.

A: pours with a bit of head which rapidly diminishes. Some lacing but not too much. For the style the lack of head retention is pathetic. And after 10 minutes there's no lacing left either. 2.5

S: Nose is not potent at all. This follows a Bernardus Abt with a best By of 06/08/14 and the flavour in the St Bernardus was just so much more potent to the extent that the beers are not comparable in any way. There's a bit of yeast and some winey notes and alcohol but apart from that the nose is simply incredibly weak. I think partly it's that the head dies down too quick to get any lasting flavour notes. 2.5

T: Some sort of Belgian chemically solventy flavours mainly. Not unpleasant but not really impressive or enjoyable in any way. At least there is some flavour here, unlike in the nose. Also some yeast. 3

M: Relatively thick and creamy actually. 4

D: Honestly not an enjoyable or well flavoured beer. Can certainly drink it but it lacks flavour. This is the second bottle I've had of the 2010 vintage, and the first (a 750mL) ended up being a drainpour. I've previously enjoyed Chimay Blue. I also enjoyed both the Chimay Red and White which came in the same tasting pack. I just don't know what's wrong with the Chimay Blue now, it's supposed to be their flagship beer but I can quite honestly say it's just a bad beer at present. Carbonation dies down too quickly (I'm staring at the glass within 10 minutes of opening the bottle and there is 0 head left, a far cry from the Bernardus Abt where the head lasted for 50 minutes or so), flavour is muted. Maybe there's been some problems in bottling but they've occurred repeatedly and I've no problems marking down this most overrated of beers. 2.5

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 02:15:11 | More by danieelol

More User Reviews:

SmellsofMahagony

Texas

4.25/5 rDev -1.6%

05-22-2013 03:21:13 | More by SmellsofMahagony

clubarsky91

California

4.5/5 rDev +4.2%

05-22-2013 03:04:51 | More by clubarsky91

gamanley

Connecticut

4.75/5 rDev +10%

05-22-2013 03:00:59 | More by gamanley

randomNBGD

Serbia

4.25/5 rDev -1.6%

05-22-2013 00:46:57 | More by randomNBGD

Mcvs1507

Indiana

4/5 rDev -7.4%

05-22-2013 00:07:19 | More by Mcvs1507

Australia

4/5 rDev -7.4%

05-22-2013 00:01:04 | More by pin

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

4/5 rDev -7.4%

05-21-2013 23:56:36 | More by MrMcGibblets

apasternak

Ohio

4.5/5 rDev +4.2%

05-21-2013 23:42:01 | More by apasternak

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4/5 rDev -7.4%

05-21-2013 04:45:51 | More by CosmoHopHead

joejost

New York

3.5/5 rDev -19%

05-21-2013 01:31:42 | More by joejost

qubit01

New Mexico

4.5/5 rDev +4.2%

05-20-2013 15:33:21 | More by qubit01

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4/5 rDev -7.4%

05-20-2013 03:55:53 | More by Kmat10

SpAiReArGsEonNE

New Jersey

3.25/5 rDev -24.8%

05-20-2013 02:40:53 | More by SpAiReArGsEonNE

drgonzo2k2

California

4.25/5 rDev -1.6%

05-19-2013 23:24:54 | More by drgonzo2k2

Blindpigbiz

California

4.11/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Chimay blue grand reserve '11

Style/abv: quadruple/9%

Smell: dark leather and oak

Taste: scotch-like spice with an oaky sweetness adjunct with luxuriously sweet dark cocoa and cream--toast and black licorice are other notable flavors

This beer pairs impeccably well with beniges and a scoop of vanilla bean on top with mocha and blueberry drizzle; it's also great with gourmet burgers and bacon

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 23:05:00 | More by Blindpigbiz