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

hustlesworth

Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

how do you say "i love you" in belgian?

"Chimay"

poured from the big bottle with the blue label. i uncrowned it and let the cork work its way out until it popped and hit me in the palm of my hand. it didn't even hurt, it felt like puppies, or a gentle summer rain.

A- loud lively buzzing foam formed 2in of off-white active head with masses of bubbles popping and colliding with one another above a psychedelic dark hazy purple-ish brew that showed translucent honey red amber copper tones when held up to the light and still managed to show row after row of sparkling iridescent bubbles rising from the botton of my imperial pilsner tulip. the rising bubbles were similar to fire from a diamond without the red side of the spectrum. their "blueness" is what i think made them sparkle the way they do. the head subsided to 1/4in of beautiful moon like wafer that left globs of lace sliding down the glass

S- baker's yeast, fortified wine, alcohol tingles the nose, honey, dark berry, plum, raisin, roasted malt, dark chocolate, and a lasting peppery spice.

T- that prized well water and dark fruit initially, followed immediately by buttery diacetyl and mild raw cocoa mingled with currant, plum skin, and caramelized malt. taste goes on to stage 3 where the cocoa lingers and meets herbal almost resinous hops. the hops stay for second then move out of the way so the cocoa can be sweetened by dried fruits and powdered sugar or even pure sugar, like that molasses sugar cane stuff that comes in a cone shape. but not so sweet that you would call it "sweet". the earthy truffle dried raisin plum and black pepper taste along with the bitter cocoa make for a finish similar to shiraz, port, cream sherry, and marsala rolled into one, sherry being the dominator, with its sugary yet dry aftertaste.

MF- absolutely defuckinlightful, like drinking carbonated liquid butter. ok not quite. as refreshing as a glass of fruit punch but heavier on the palate with immaculate carbonation this ale feels oily at first, then u realize that it's not oily at all, it's crisp and dry and you should have bought 2 bottles.

D- i think this goes without saying. uh...YEAH!


note: i know i was generous with the 5's here but i love european water. this shit is quintessential. i dare...no, i double dare anyone to make a belgian ale better than chimay cuz u just can't do it son. the monks have it locked down. see ya in paradise.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2007 04:51:56 | More by hustlesworth

Photekut

Azerbaijan

3.75/5  rDev -13.2%

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jono0101

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

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Timbru

France

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-18-2013 14:25:49 | More by Timbru

GinsuDave

Michigan

5/5  rDev +15.7%

05-18-2013 01:12:40 | More by GinsuDave

EricClayton

West Virginia

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-17-2013 19:22:59 | More by EricClayton

irishgreensoda

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-17-2013 18:24:42 | More by irishgreensoda

ajtorres311

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -13.2%

05-17-2013 15:54:48 | More by ajtorres311

Robert_Ray

Arizona

4.75/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

There is no perfect beer or ale! But this one is close. A true gift of God made by his servants. Bought a 750ml for about $15. Worth every penny. The Blue is a real treat. Better to leave in the glass a few minutes and let it start to warm a bit to release all of its potential and some of the CO2. Smooth as silk and full mouth feel with a hint of the strong alcohol content. Add this one to your bucket list.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 02:47:11 | More by Robert_Ray

jrohrbacher

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 23:57:23 | More by jrohrbacher

swh1972

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 23:04:18 | More by swh1972

carlosega

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 20:23:49 | More by carlosega

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-16-2013 18:31:48 | More by Westuh

Jade

Ohio

3/5  rDev -30.6%

05-16-2013 01:49:00 | More by Jade

kohlsm

Texas

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-16-2013 00:42:16 | More by kohlsm

bbfc

Colorado

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-16-2013 00:17:33 | More by bbfc

inanity

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +10%

05-15-2013 23:23:22 | More by inanity

311Reeves

Ohio

3.75/5  rDev -13.2%

05-15-2013 20:52:23 | More by 311Reeves

pkenkman

Estonia

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-15-2013 20:11:37 | More by pkenkman

gfap61

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-15-2013 20:01:22 | More by gfap61

Zimm

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-15-2013 17:27:29 | More by Zimm

Bustersuess

New York

4.5/5  rDev +4.2%

05-14-2013 19:08:59 | More by Bustersuess

djura

Serbia

3.33/5  rDev -22.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A - Chestnut brown to orange color,almost no foam,huge carbonation. Color is really beautiful.

S - Very weak aromas,some caramel and dark fruits.

T/M - Lots of bubbles in the mouth,low bitterness,caramel,chocolate,fruits,but nothing too high. Sweet and warm taste,you could feel alcohol,but it is good balanced,so it is better then average strong ales.

O - I am disappointed,but important is that this beer is high quality product. It is not by my taste. Also,this is like Champagne of beers. Very refreshing carbonation in it.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 18:38:47 | More by djura

hatfulofhollow

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7.4%

05-13-2013 16:08:51 | More by hatfulofhollow

apanloco

Sweden

5/5  rDev +15.7%

05-13-2013 09:39:39 | More by apanloco