Chimay Première (Red) - Bières de Chimay S.A.

JOaikido

Quebec (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

0.33 L bottle.

A- Brown with amber highlights. OK beige head of slightly large bubbles.

S- Thick malt. Fruity notes of plum and pear.

T- Strong caramel flavour with a bit of a burnt touch. Slight bitterness. Sweet finish.

MF- Fairly thick. A bit too syrupy (sticky sweet).

O- Good beer, but not as good as I had hoped. Too much sweetness/stickiness, though the caramel taste is nice.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 02:28:16 | More by JOaikido

gr0g

New Jersey

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A cloudy orange-brown appearance, capped with an impressive head. Retention is good but not great, and there's no lacing to be found. Aroma is of ripe red apple, sweet grapes, and some yeasty phenols. An overall floral note is present.

Flavor is somewhat dry and tart. There's maybe a touch of sweetness and Belgian candi sugar, but tart and bitter flavors become more prominent toward the finish. Some notes of clove, apple, pear, and toffee. Crisp mouthfeel with strong carbonation that's aggressive without being harsh.

Chimay Rouge is a refined, classic take on the style, but a bit underwhelming. The balanced, demure flavor profile is tasty, but there are certainly better Dubbels available from Belgian as well as American brewers.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 18:51:25 | More by gr0g

Damian

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Drank from a 1 pt.9.4 fl.oz./75 cl corked and caged bottle purchased at Colonial Spirits, Acton, MA
Served in a Chimay goblet

The beer opened with a loud pop and slowly began to gush. Once in the glass, the liquid was a cloudy, ruddy, crimson-mahogany was was topped by a tight, creamy, one-finger, khaki colored head. The head was quick to drop, but the thin cap that covered the liquid had amazing lasting power. Unfortunately, lacing was nonexistent.

The nose was rich, fruity and spicy. Allspice and clove were discernible. Semi-sweet with notes of plums, prunes, raisins and figs. Lots of dark candi sugar. Bready. A signature, phenolic, Belgian yeast quality also came through strong.

The flavor profile was a bit of a letdown. Like in the nose, spices were quite apparent. Allspice, cinnamon and clove dominated. Hint of apple and pear. There was a pervasive steely/metallic quality that I found rather distracting. Vinous notes appeared in the center. Touch of smoke. The finish was crisp and dry with hints of earthy, somewhat bitter hops. Even at 7% ABV, this dubbel was immensely quaffable.

The mouthfeel contained an extraordinarily lively, prickly effervescence. Super plush, creamy and pillowy. The beer seemed to instantaneously dissolve once it hit my tongue. Medium bodied for the style.

Chimay Red is a classic Trappist ale, but I was disappointed by the flavor profile, which was quite subdued and contained unpleasant metallic notes. I far prefer both the Blue and the White to this.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 17:55:28 | More by Damian

dertyd

California

3.48/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 1 pint.9.4 fl oz.bottle popped the cork and it went flying was great when I looked at the cork it said 05\09 and its 02/13 right now so its about a 4 year old bottle

A:poured a dark amber red kinda like a lighter mister pibb soda with almoast no head at all just a lot of bubbles floating up like crazy a nice looking beer

S:sweet bready smell with some hints of dark fruits and a lil bit of chocolate

T:verry balanced taste a nice sweet bready backbone followed by a crisp finnish preaty good but I still like the blue lable the best so far but this is in no way a bad beer it is still a world famouse beer

M:two words verry crisp

Overall: another wonderfull beer by the monks at chimay they never diapoint. Allaround good beer

Live life drink beer!!!:-)

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 00:24:08 | More by dertyd

M_C_Hampton

Georgia

4.24/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: poured from a 33 cl bottle into a chalice, red slightly orange brown with a big off white head that lingers leaving good lacing, almost clear

S: Belgian yeast, banana, spice, clove, vanilla, bread, dark fruits

T: sweet and slightly sour malt, vanilla, spices, a slight lemon peel taste, sour cherry

M: lighter than expected with a lot of carbonation, drier finish

O: no doubt this is a tasty beer, good depth of flavors and balance, carbonation keeps it refreshing

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 01:23:40 | More by M_C_Hampton

watsonmd

Georgia

4.51/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

a: served in a Chimay glaas, dark amber color. quarter inch of head, short lived though.

s: faint, hoppy, bright. caveat: enjoyed in a restaurant, lots off competing smells.

t: light, tangy, balanced hop and yeasty, malty.

m: very highly carbonated, crisp.

o: expected more based on reputation, but glad I had it. not necessarily on my repeat list

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 17:54:40 | More by watsonmd

erickehoe

Michigan

3.93/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy burgundy with 1/2+ inch creamy, bubbly head. Looks like molasses.

Aroma of ripe bananas, a bit of scalded milk. Yeasty with some pepperiness. Notes of ten cent bubblegum.

A bread-like beginning to this beer. Chewy and complex, maintaining subtlety and a deep maltiness. Notes of banana, bubblegum, spritzy and light carbonation through the middle. A hint of spice pokes through, only momentarily. Finishes with an elegant, cleansing springlike hop flavor. Subdued. Warming.

Sweet, velvety mouthfeel. Finishing with a dry cleansing.

A beer on the sweeter side, but offers complex flavors from beginning to end. Subtle use of hops allows the bubblegum, banana and yeast to pervade. Highly enjoyable and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 22:57:18 | More by erickehoe

Haydn-Juby

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served from a Bottle

A: Hazy ruby red color with a thick and bubbly looking two finger head that left behind some nice lacing. Very good looking beer. Retention was pretty good but that should be typical of the style. Looks like prune juice, not that that's a bad thing.

S: Dark fruits with a hint of clove are present to the nose but nothing is really outstanding. Alcohol presence becomes more noticeable as the head dies down and the beer warms to the room.

T: I was disappointed to be honest. It tastes of darker fruits. Picture figs, prunes, and a little bit of raisins. That Belgian yeast character is also there and brings out some clove flavors that were also present in the aroma. Sweet caramel malts are also available near the end of the sip. Good bitterness but pretty minimal. Alcohol is masked well. My problem with this beer is not the the lack of flavors its the strength of them. Overall I found it mildly complex but just didn't contain bold enough flavors.

M: Carbonation tickles your tongue as it should with a Belgian beer like this. Goes down smooth and the higher alcohol doesn't leave you with a boozy feel in your mouth.

O: I was disappointed quiet frankly. I expected much bolder flavors. They were there that's for sure but nothing that really excited me. Nothing was to strong in this beer and really made me go "wow". I probably wouldn't buy this again.

Serving type: bottle

02-09-2013 00:10:48 | More by Haydn-Juby

Gagnonsux

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

I originally reviewed this beer in 2004; scores are from this re-review from 2/3/2013. I love this beer; the dark malty fruitiness plays so well with the yeast and hops. This is complex and so very tasty.

Old review from 7/24/2004:

This is the last of the three Chimay varities from my gift pack. I waited a while to drink it since Belgian ales aren't a style that I really like. For me this was the best of the three Chimays. Appearance is a nice dark burgundy color, head was a little less powerful than I thought it would be. Smell is of spices mainly, which isn't a smell I particularly like in beer. Taste is the most enjoyable of the Chimay beers, not overly spiced or too strong, and smoother than the rest. Well, I tried about 4 styles of Beligians and still haven't become fond of them, I guess it'll be a fairly long while until I try another one.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 02:17:35 | More by Gagnonsux

JimTeal

Nevada

4.28/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Chimay makes seem so effortless, what an exceptionally example of fine ingredients combined in perfect proportions. The end result is a fine brew, suitable for any occasion. Pleasant caramels married to those uniquely fine Belgian malts. Beautiful well defined head, pours lightly and lingers as the enjoyment of beer well done makes each sip more pleasurable than the last. It's not cheap, and you'd expect great and your wishes will not unmet, enjoy a real winner.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:05:47 | More by JimTeal

Bashao

Israel

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pours dark amber from the bottle.

Smell: smells of sweet malt and caramel, the taste of Belgium yeast is noticeable.

Taste: starts with a soft sweetness, end with a gentle bitterness.

Mouthfeel: very smooth in the mouth. Medium body and carbonation.

Overall: a very exceptional beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 22:07:14 | More by Bashao

JoshatTownHall

5/5  rDev +21.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served on tap at Hellhunt Pub in Tallin, Estonia. Paid €3.50. What a deal. I can see why people spend over $13 in the U.S. for it. Exceptional beer that exemplifies the style. I will gladly pay the price back in the U.S. for this brew. Again to reiterate, if you can afford the airfare Estonia is probably the place to go in Northern Europe for awesome beer at Bud Lt. price!

Serving type: on-tap

01-27-2013 06:39:42 | More by JoshatTownHall

bigdaddyd069

Maryland

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a very dark brown with an amber/ruby red hue from a bomber into my snifter glass. Nice head that last about a minute.

S - Sweet but very Dry, dark fruit (apricot, plums) with some light fruit (pear, apple)

T - Very bitter but sweet with dark fruits. Sharp tingly flavor. Alot of yeast/sugar

M - Very well carbonated, bubbly, crisp, sharp, dry.

O - Tastes very similar to a "brut" style champagne (dry but sweet, dry fruits with vanilla and little fruit) sugar added at the end of the brewing process but not too sweet. Very complex

Food pairing - I paired this with a sweet glazed chicken and a terriaki pork and both of these did not work with this beer. I hope to dry chili next which I think will work very well, will let you all know.

Serving type: bottle

01-23-2013 03:26:58 | More by bigdaddyd069

SteveS1

New York

3.9/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Look - Pours dark translucent amber with a tall off-white foamy head, decent retention, visible spring of carbonation.

Smell - Sweet bubblegum esters, tart plum, flowery, clove.

Taste - Slightly tart on the tongue, rushes onto the palate with tangy yeast and a sweet herbal body, finishes woody with tart yeast. Aftertaste is mild and sweet.

Feel - Well carbonated throughout, big body but doesn't weigh you down.

Drink - I would not turn one of these down. Very well balanced, in no way overpowering.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 06:24:51 | More by SteveS1

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from 11.2 oz bottle into Chimay chalice at The Real Pickle in Shreveport, LA. Pours a hazy brown with some off white lacing. Great dried fruit and malt aroma. Taste is amazing...typical trappist notes; dried fruit, caramel, malts, smoooth as hell. A superb brew, lots of complexity. What else can be said about this brew that the last 2000k+ reviews havent said...I just cant believe it took me this long to review it.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2013 03:05:45 | More by DrinkSlurm

Premo88

Texas

4.2/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

750 ml bottle poured into rimmed chalice

L: murky brown. love the color with no light on it; that brown is cool. with sunlight on it, the color is amber with gold highlights. it's not 100% opaque, but you can't really see through it either ... nice murk. the head really pops at first, a good 1/3-inch to 1/2-inch of pretty tan-white, but it doesn't hang around. beer holds a collar of light foam. no lacing.

S: yeast. the first whiff screams BEEER!!! sweet but with great balance and nothing dark (no raisins, molasses, burnt barley). it gets a bit estery as we go, almost getting to that muted wine smell; fantastic malt at times. always very clean.

T: yeast on the first sip that really sweetens out; this is no doubt my kind of Belgian. just a hint of the darker tastes (figs ... not really raisins but close) in the back end at times, but mostly it has a bit of the wine/ester taste to it -- that taste I'm not great at describing but makes me think of wine. slightly sour grapes but not in a bad way. possibly I'm tasting the alcohol as we get halfway into this bottle.

F: perfect. lots of carbonation, exactly a midweight ... i don't like doling out 5s, but have mercy on me if I'm wrong, the damn thing is perfect.

O: this thing starts out like a champ. the first smell and first taste alone is worth the price. i mean, it's just so quintessentially beer. as it goes down, I get more of the esters/wine thing and personally miss the yeast I detect at the start.

I'm always going to drink this beer. From time to time, anyway. But the more I drink the Belgian/trappist ales, the more I realize I've got to be more prepared for that muted wine taste to properly enjoy the style. Bottom line: It's good. Expensive, yes, but pretty damn good.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 23:10:33 | More by Premo88

spoony

Colorado

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From a 750 ml into flute-type glass.

A-The beer pours a deep, orange hued amber. This is lighter in color than many dubbels. The head is decently-sized, light tan foam that fades very slowly.

S-A nice whiff of Belgian yeast evokes banana, candy sugar, and some clove/pepper spice. There is a bit of warming, slightly medicinal alcohol, too.

T-The first few sips also give that great Belgian banana/clove combo in light to moderate doses on the palate. As the brew warms and my palate adapts, there is a sweetness and some light malts to accompany a slightly herbal alcohol kick.

M-Lighter to medium weight for a dubbel, and with a fair amount of carbonation, too. The alcohol is slightly slick feeling.

O-For me, this dubbel drinks a lot like a tripel, which is not a bad thing. As is often the case with a true Belgian, the yeast is really the star here, and it nicely showcased against a mild maltiness and a warming alcohol to good effect. This brew is a bit rustic and not as well integrated as some, but the flavors layer nicely on one another and produce, in the end, a pretty solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 05:12:31 | More by spoony

Arno

3.21/5  rDev -22.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25

A: Brown copper colored. Hazy and off white head.
S: Not too much. Some clove & caramel like with subtle sweetness and yeast.
T: Watery, then mild bitter kicks in. Kinda creamy and bread like with clove and caramel. Suggests some sweetness which doesn't really seem to come. Light spicy finish.
M: Good balance of thickness and carbonation.

O: It kinda reminds me of a "Dunkelweis" beer. Like the Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel. It's not as sweet as the smell suggest. It's similar somehow to St. Bernadus flavor types of the 8 and 12 etc, but without the sweet en depth. Making it refreshing. But there's something missing to give it that edge and uniqueness. It's nice, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 21:41:45 | More by Arno

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Chimay Red. Goes into an Orval chalice. L12-034 017263. Enjoyed alongside Rochefort 6. Double the dubbel!

Pours a dark, muddy rust-brown with a quarter-inch of head that doesn't do too much, except scatter and leave some soap scum and bubbles to one side. Doesn't have the beauty as, say, a Corsendonk Abbey Brown. Not even close.

Already getting some mild whiffs of that classic Chimay champagne yeast, and the beer is still very cold. I pick up dates, tobacco, roasted malts, and nutty yeastiness.

Tastes of nuts, apple, dried fig, medicinal notes, herbal cough drops, alcohol, carob, and candi sugar. Still mouth-drying with an insinuation of coriander spice. Almost minty, as if there was a mild aged hop presence here. Flavors not too astray from one of a dry white wine, but with an ember of dark fruit burning. Can't detract from the liveliness of this brewery's yeast strain. Good stuff.

Smooth and thick, and not without a supporting role of alcohol. Carbonation has its moments; sometimes perky, sometimes mild and forgiving. Drinks at a good speed.

A very good dubbel. The finesse was put into the creation of this beer. A classic that heeds constant remembrance. Needless to say, I recommend having one.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 04:19:45 | More by thecheapies

kempshark

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

I wasn't incredible impressed with this beer the first time or two I had it. This last time, however was a little different. I had a bottle that I had been aging for about three years. I took it to a beer release with a buddy of mine. Wow, what a difference three years made. It was incredibly smooth and had some real depth of flavor. I think I will pick up a couple more of these to age. I love the Chimay Blue fresh...but after tasting this aged...might have to try aging the Blue also.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 22:11:20 | More by kempshark

bigaltemple

Colorado

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Amber brew with lots of reds. Foamy, three-finger, off-white head sticks around quite some time. Decent clarity shows a consistent stream of bubbles. Patchy lacing.

S - Sweet malts and bread dough. Very mild bitterness. Nice sense of Belgian yeast, but not too funky or overpowering.

T/M - Again, sweet and bready. Some caramel. A little more bitterness than in the nose, and just enough tang of funky yeast. Medium body, with almost perfect carbonation.

O - Excellent brew! Worst thing I can say is that I slightly prefer the Grand Reserve (Blue).

Serving type: bottle

12-27-2012 04:16:09 | More by bigaltemple

KingSlayer

Mexico

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

First time getting this beer, and still kind of new to the dubbels, but still a satisfactory experience.
App: as soon as i opened the bottle (gently) foam started to come out of the opening, poured with mild vigour revealing a nice brown caramel like colour, cloudy/ un translucent, carbonation visible, nice head with big bubbles, about 4 fingers at fist, as i said very reactive. let it rest then poured the rest. no lacing. served in a standard pint. has some sediment.

Smell: mild smell, fruity, malty, earthy, bit of alcohol.

taste: well balanced, starts sweet, progress to a little fruty bitternes, earthy and little metalic palate, medium lenght aftertaste, alcoholic but masks it. medium body.

Overall: bit strong could drink a couple without problems, tasty and full of flavor, would buy it again.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 01:08:04 | More by KingSlayer

Twincrasher

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A: Really nice amber color. Clear appearance at beginning of pour from 750 ml. Very creamy head with lacing on side. Served in tulip glass.

S: Malty and bread with fig and dark fruits.

T: Very good. Should be paired well with hearty meal.

M: A little thinner than expected from this style. Used to big malt mouthfeel. Still good though.

O: Very nice beer and will have again.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 21:54:14 | More by Twincrasher

artdob

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a reddish brown with a generous, healthy head. Foam is slightly off white, veering toward a tan tone.

Nose is malty, sweet banana bread, and fig newtons.

Palate has a unique presence. Following the nose, I was anticipating something on the sweet side, but the actual taste goes into other territory. It offers a profile that is more sophisticated. Liquid bread, if the term ever really fit a beer - here is a meal in a glass. A initial dry carbonation yields to fruity notes (apricots, raisins) and then evolves to reveal sweet bread.

Mouthfeel is entertained with moderate caronation and a coating of the sweet bread. Much maltiness lingers on a lasting finish.

A quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-16-2012 03:32:46 | More by artdob

righthereisay

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Purchased a 3 pack of bottles with "Free" glass at Giant Eagle in Bethel Park, PA.

Pours a nice dark amber, with a very light tan head. Head stays a long time. As does the lacing.

Smells of dark fruits, but not too strong, just enough.

Not very complex, but very nice and consistant. Definitely some roasty dark fruits. Very nice body, no bitterness at all. Rather delicious.

Better than expected.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 01:07:40 | More by righthereisay