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

spoony

Colorado

3.88/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From an 11.2 oz bottle into a chalice.

A-The brew opened with a decent whoosh and the carbonation provided a long-lasting head that topped out a two fingers of khaki/brown foam. The beer was the color of prunes; brown, with some purple and ruby highlights.

S-Lots of sweet, dark fruit (raisins and dates mostly) and some brown sugar. I also picked up a decent wave of peppery alcoholic spice and a touch of fruity, doughy yeast.

T-Taste follows the smell to a t. I got sweet, boozy, slightly spiced dark fruit that was this beers defining characteristic. Also some brown sugar and molasses. Overall, the taste was a touch on the sweet side for my palate.

M-Medium to heavy feel, but not heavy when compared to others of the style. Smooth drinking.

O-This is certainly a great beer and one of the easier dark, strong Belgians to find when you're out and about. The flavors are solid and the feel is nicely balanced. However, it doesn't hold the same complexity or intensity as some of its Belgian cohorts or some of its North American competitors.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 04:43:25 | More by spoony

jono0101

Missouri

4.25/5  rDev -1.6%

05-18-2013 16:00:18 | More by jono0101

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

DerAtomsmasher

Washington

3.91/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Pours darker than you would expect from a vaunted Belgian ale.

Nose is toasted dark bread, banana-y, but mostly rum raisin.

Tastes somewhat alcoholic, but full of dates, sort of buttery and not much hop crispness. Did leave a sort of cloying caramely sweetness behind. Not as clean as I would have liked.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 03:30:12 | More by DerAtomsmasher