Chimay Spéciale Cent Cinquante - Bières de Chimay S.A.

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I jumped on this bottle when I saw it at my local store. I was excited to run across something new from this very good standby of Trappist monks.

I poured this beer into a snifter to enjoy the bouquet coming off this beer, and it smells pretty good. I get that simple, clean smell from the yeast. There is a light fruitiness at the top as well.

The flavor/feel has a decent amount of alcohol flavor and heat to it. This beer has good presence for the Tripel flavor to it.

Overall a pretty good experience to it. I recommend grabbing a bottle to celebrate the history of those great monks in Belgium.

Serving type: bottle

12-13-2012 01:02:49 | More by ummswimmin

BeerCon5

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a clear light amber color with a nice fluffy white head with really good retention.

The scent is of sweet sugar, bready malt, some notes of spice.

The taste is of sweet candied sugar and bready malt, sweet fruit, yeast, notes of spice.

Medium body, crisp and smooth, moderate carbonation.

This was an overall tasty beer, lots of flavor and very easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

12-10-2012 14:39:19 | More by BeerCon5

kojevergas

California

3.3/5  rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

I picked this one up here in SoCal, but I can't remember the price. Real excited to try it; I like all of Chimay's beers. 750ml brown glass bottle with hood and wire cap over a cork served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given the brewery. 10.00% ABV confirmed. No bottled on or best before date.

Paired with popcorn. The buttery fattening shit.

Served straight from the refrigerator and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a 2.5 finger fluffy beige colour head of nice cream and thickness, and great retention for the high ABV. Colour is a nontransparent glowing yellow-orange-gold. No yeast particles are visible. Non-opaque. No bubble show.

Sm: Pear, green apple, biscuity brilliant yeast, tart apple, some spice, biscuit malt, pale malts, and crystal malt. Quite patersbier-esque. Green apple is dominant. A moderate strength aroma.

T: Tart green apple. Crisp and clean. Pale malt and light biscuit malt foundation. Light spice. Pear. Pleasant and well balanced, albeit somewhat simplistic. I like it. Clove. Little alcohol comes through, but there is a bit of heat to it. Crisp bright fruit. Some esters. Candi sugar. Very light and bright for the hefty ABV. Nicely balanced. I like it. A bit more acidic than expected.

Mf: Tingly and lightly coarse from crystal malt. Too thick, unfortunately. Nicely wet, but I'd stop far short of refreshing. A bit overcarbonated, but I suppose it's meant for aging. Slightly too heavy on the palate. Suits the flavours nicely. Crisp.

Dr: Drinkable but a sipper. The alcohol does come through on this one. It's something of a beast. Still, its quality is what you'd expect from Chimay. It'll knock you on your ass if consumed alone. A tasty Tripel, but in fairness I did expect better. Far from Chimay's best beer. I do like it, but I wouldn't pay the price to get it again.

Might age well.

Low B-

Serving type: bottle

12-02-2012 09:49:30 | More by kojevergas

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Hazy blonde, two fingers dense white head, lots of lace left over as well. Smell is fruity with lots of apple and banana, spicy, very nice yeasty scents, bubble gum and some lightly earthy/grassy hops as well. Taste is full of fruits, more bubble gum witha mild sweetness, banana, apple, yeasty and spicy flavours make this dry mid palate into the finish, faint notes of alcohol, good complexity and mix of flavours. Light-medium carbonation, medium-full body and quite solid overal. This was pretty stellar stuff, one of the better Tripel's I have had in recent memory, solid anniversary beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 21:25:52 | More by peensteen

Marc_V

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle from Belgian Beer Shop.com. Colour: first clear golden, at the end of the bottle hazy. The head is slightly off white, soapy, moderately stable with nice lacing. The aroma is pretty amazing and unique, filled with fruits (banana, pineapple, orange, mango) and floral notes. It’s sweet with licorice, spicy and the hops also are clearly present. This is one of the most complex smells I’ve ever experienced. The taste afterwards is a bit of a dissappointment but nevertheless very good: yeasty, fresh, bitter sweet and fruity. It has got a medium dry aftertaste; the finish makes me think of champagne. Alcohol presence is detectable but not too overwhelming. Overal: this is a complex and unique beer that’s very different from the other Chimay beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-27-2012 18:16:59 | More by Marc_V

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.84/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A Chimay unlike any other. A Trappist yeast, very fresh smelling. A big head and lace. Bubble gum and fruity tasting, a little dry in the finish.Above average mouthfeel. A quality Belgian ale through and through. Thanks Peenstein (through his friend visiting Europe).
I had this ago from the LCBO, good through 2015, and it was good but very boozy.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 14:50:23 | More by northyorksammy

rdickey

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clear but somewhat dark gold into a Chimay goblet. A beautiful fine white head sits on top. And sits. And sits. As it finally dissipates it leaves uniform sheets of lacing.

Smell: Bready malts come across first, followed by cloves, black pepper and about a dozen other things I can’t even hope to identify. The booze is very obvious. Obviously this is going to be a complex one.

Taste: The bread from the nose continues right into the mouth, but there’s a lot more as well: candied sugar, coriander, a dash of black pepper, a little lemon, the classic Chimay yeast and a dash of bubble gum. Extraordinarily complex, and it’s amazing that they were able to get this all to work together. In the hands of anything other than a true master brewer, this could be a train wreck, but instead it’s a thing of beauty.

Mouthfeel: Huge and almost chewy, and the alcohol is not at all hidden. Nevertheless, it manages to finish crisply.

Drinkability: This is obviously not one you toss back on the lawnmower, and the ridiculous ABV it wears on its sleeve counsel caution, but it’s quite drinkable. Just… slowly.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 23:00:33 | More by rdickey

spdyfire83

Ireland

3.63/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

298th Review
75cl bottle to Westy XII chalice
Cork No. 12995
BB: 2015

A: Bright golden yellow. 2+ (frothy white) fingernail head on gentle pour.

S: Smells of Belgian yeast, white pepper, unripe white grape, banana, and slightly floral. Also, notes of earthy hops and citrus. Inviting.

T: Mix of earthy hops, citrus, and loads of Belgian yeast. Actually, too much yeast for my liking. Unbalanced with regards to the sharp fruit sweetness and pepper spice. Rounded finish, but the ABV is slightly harsh - could stand to mellow a bit, I think.

M: Light bodied with loads carbonation. As said, ABV is distinct (and almost distracting for the style).

O: I can appreciate the idea of a special beer for the 150th anniversary, but the price point here (€16/bottle) is a bit high for the quality of the product (or lack thereof). Disappointing at best and I'm thankful to have only purchased a single bottle. One could easily enjoy several bottles of the regular line-up (Red, White, or Blue) for this price - plus those are more enjoyable in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 13:57:49 | More by spdyfire83

Bilharziose

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

A great beer for sure, but I wonder if they didn't use a Het Anker yeast by mistake...

At the first gulp I thought : "it's a Gouden Carolus !" and after finishing the bottle I still resent that this beer doesn't have any Chimay touch, it tastes too different from the other brews of the abbey. But of course I'd love to it to be my only beer if I lived on a desert island...

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 17:51:32 | More by Bilharziose

cbutova

Massachusetts

4.13/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by my best-of-friend Atremains. Almost picked this up myself but the price tag threw me off.

A- Poured with a slightly hazy golden body and a nice white head. The cap is creamy and foamy with about two fingers in size and good retention. Huge ring and cloud leaves nice patches of lace.

S- The aroma is heavily of Belgian yeast strains with a lot of coriander and spices. Definitely lemon grass, dark raisins, brown sugars/molasses, apples and herbs as well. Really hits the spice/herbal side of things.

T- Again, spices and herbs really lead things off. Thyme, coriander, pink peppercorns, raisins, brown sugar, grass and dark fruits are very strong and combine for a complex flavor. Lemon citrus, apples, pears and hint of alcohol add to the complexity but don't overpower the main tastes. Grapes and champagne yeast after some time.

MF- Highly carbonated like most of the big Belgian staples but it goes down smoothly. Silky overall with a fairly creamy feel. Bitterness is pronounced but doesn't feel like a clean hop bitterness, spicy and a bit of alcohol warming.

A very complex flavor overall and a good one. Tons of great things going on and I really like the clash of herbal and citrus, which I did not expect going into this.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 04:05:25 | More by cbutova

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.05/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review #500
The beer pours a slightly hazy golden orange with an inch of fluffy white head that sits atop the beer throughout drinking. The beer smells amazing for a tripel with notes of artificial banana, white grapes, and pez candy. The taste is even funkier and flavors reminiscent of banana runts, bubble gum, spicy hops, and yeast on the back end. This beer is very unique and interesting, but a bit over the top. The mouthfeel is off as the beer hits hard initially with these whack flavors and keeps hitting until banana runts take over for a solid minute. The noble hops break through the buggle gum and provide a touch of indistinct bitterness. It's a tasty beer, but a 25 cent twist on a candy machine may provide the same fulfillment as a $25 special release...

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 03:25:19 | More by ThePorterSorter

mattstrat

Massachusetts

4.58/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

When I saw this at Berman's and realized it's the 150th anniversary beer for Chimay, a world-renowned Trappist brewery, I knew I had to have it. You're literally drinking history with this beer.

Poured out of the bottle and into Chimay chalice glass (glad I had this on hand). The cork popped out quickly and almost immediately I could smell the fruity Belgian aromas that came from so far away. Golden in color with perfect amount of head and excellent lacing. Looks like liquid gold.

The aroma is fruity and estery as you'd expect from Chimay, and the alcohol sits right behind the Belgian funkiness. Definitely picking up some banana and clove aromas and a nice peppery spice. The alcohol aroma is definitely dominating a bit but in a good way.

Upon tasting this beer, I am amazed and enlightened by Chimay's ability to consistently deliver on quality. There is a slight bittnerness up front, and then my taste buds are awakened! An instant burst of pear, banana, and even orange, followed by a flavorful rush of alcohol and a residing bitterness that is very pleasant. This beer goes down very smooth for a 10% abv. Mouthfeel is perfect for this style, and balances the alcohol with a very up-front champagne-like glow. Carbonation fades a bit as the minutes tick by, but it's sitting perfectly in the mix.

I could go on and on about this beer, and it's definitely the best beer I've had in some time. I'm brewing a Saison in the middle of reviewing this beer and it was definitely inspiring. I've never been to Belgium, but I'm living vicariously through this beer, as it has transported me somewhere else in time. There's something about this beer and the fact that Chimay does not release many variations that's really special. The intense fruity aromas, and the balance with hop bitterness and alcohol, combine with a special sort of intensity that must be due to the yeast. This beer is a signature Chimay, but there's something different than the Cinq Cents. It is truly Special and it's probably the best representation of Chimay I've had to date...a Trappist brewery that is alive and well in 2012, at its 150th anniversary, and has many tales to tell through the delivery of this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 01:23:04 | More by mattstrat

Aethien

Netherlands

4.65/5  rDev +11%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured in a Westmalle chalice, it starts off with a formidable clear white head that gradually sinks down to a nice thick film on the beer that leaves plenty of lacing around the glass.

The first thing I smell is cloves, then bready yeast, honey and more cloves as well as a little fruitiness. Some pepper and booziness in the back.

Still a lot of cloves in the taste but not as strong as the nose, plenty of bread, vanilla and banana to keep the cloves company as well as a well pronounced yeast flavour and some pepper, a little liquorice root and flowery tastes in there as well. I'd try naming more but frankly I'm a little overwhelmed by the complexity of the beer, there's just so much going on.

Mouthfeel is thick and creamy with very noticeable alcohol but without getting syrupy.

Overall this is Chimay white++, stronger, bigger, bolder and more complex. Absolutely amazing and it's reigniting my interest in Belgian style beers.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 18:00:32 | More by Aethien

srandycarter

California

4.03/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Murky honey, stark white HUGE head, lots of lace.

S - Subdued Belgian yeast, florals, malt.

T - Creamy thick malt with nice Belgian notes.

M - Creamy, over the top carb, good balance.

D - Very tasty. Would have again. I don't know how special it is, as I prefer the Blue, but it was nice.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 03:43:30 | More by srandycarter

Agent1

Alberta (Canada)

4.38/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Before going any further, this is a bottle I was anticipating for quite some time. It was rumored that this was coming out, so I was quite excited. Given Chimay's history, it is bound to impress. I have been anticipating this "150th Anniversary" Tripel!

Appearance - Incredible head. Glistening and piercing white. A rich, gold color with a subtle orange hue. The head retention is good, but normalizes rather quickly. When first poured out slowly, it layers thick and quickly. Once it settles, it holds for a long period of time but does not keep the 2 1/4 fingers it originally poured, and then settles into a one inch bed of creamy foam. Very active carbonation, too. Letting this warm, it has sat for over 25 minutes and has barely budged. Very impressive!

Smell - Fresh bread. Immediately, the smell of yeast and bread take the forefront. Vanilla, cloves, coriander, orange peel, fresh hops (northern hops, mostly), complex spices and fruits. Very potent and anything but simple.

Taste - Bread -- lots of bread. A strong vanilla aftertaste is noticeable. Sugar coated mango strips, fresh yeast (again the bread), subtle lemon, peach (most likely created by the yeast and sugars), elderberry, jasmine tea, white sugar, flowers and coriander. Wow. Also, it is important to note here that the grain seem to stand out more than usual. This might be in part to a more efficient or concentrated mash, creating more initial sugars and a more concentrated grain flavor off the bat. Definitely more grains in the taste compared to that of the regular Cinq Cents.

Mouthfeel - The 10% definitely cuts compared to any other brew by Chimay. Definitely less disguised. The alcohol is not nearly as hidden as it is in Chimay White or Blue, yet still somehow manages to sneak by...but barely. You can feel this all over the palate. Very syrupy and chewy or thick, but the sugars are still balanced by all the bittering hops. Very nice.

Overall - More than anything, this is an attempt as showcasing Chimay's classic yeast strain that they strategically developed. It is more bready than anything they have ever done in the past and for that, I feel it is pure genius. Also, this is Chimay White Cap on steroids. The alcohol hits hard. For what it is intended to be, I might favor this more than most people. Again, this showcases the grains, the yeast created by Father Theodore in the 40s and the natural sugars. It is a celebration and therefore, I am scoring it higher than others. I will need to pick up a few more bottles for aging before this is gone. I highly recommend this incredible 150th anniversary beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 09:26:14 | More by Agent1

DovaliHops

California

4.28/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a hazy golden color with a hint of orange. Large frothy head that goes down slowly. Scent is somewhat funky. Light, tart, citrus aromas with some floral hops and Belgian yeast. Sweet clove and banana...very mellow though. Lovely spices with some pepper and a slight boozy aroma. Taste is sweet at first. Sweet candied green apple flavor. Immediately followed by mellow bubblegum and banana with clove. Spicy pepper and Belgian yeast flavors. Finishes with floral hops and sweet booze. Mouthfeel is crisp and dry. Tingly spiciness. Drinkability is very high for 10% ABV. Overall, this is a great beer...what more would you expect from Chimay?

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2012 09:18:46 | More by DovaliHops

larryi86

Delaware

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle poured into a Chimay glass

A- A clear golden color with a fluffy two finger white head.

S- Bananas, green apples, peppercorn, floral hops, very nice.

T- Like the nose, but ever better. Bananas, green apples, some peppercorns, floral, some alcohol that works well with the flavors, touch of citrus. Great balance of flavors.

M- Smooth, crisp, medium body.

O- Very good beer and worthy trying for the price. If you enjoy other Chimay beers you will enjoy this. Probably will pick up another for a special occasion.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 01:38:30 | More by larryi86

Dope

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Hazy golden-amber pour. Huge, ridiculously huge white head. Fades very slowly, excellent retention. Decent tufts of fluffy lacework left behind.

S: Very strong grassy hops with a ton of banana. Some mild citrus. Yeasty, sourdough-like bread.

T: Sharp and strong grassiness and banana up front. Even get some apple as it warms. Sort of a sweet, yeasty bread. Lots of banana, lemon and black pepper in the finish. Black pepper lingers for a long time between sips.

M: Heavy but smooth. Syrupy mouth-coating effect.

O: An excellent beer but honestly not much better than their normal tripel. It's very similar, just a slightly bigger and bolder version. Still tasty and worth trying, but definitely no need for the huge premium.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 03:31:37 | More by Dope

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle: Poured a hazy deep blonde color ale with a super large off-white head with perfect retention and some good lacing. Aroma consists of fruity ester with some dry hoppy notes and some sweet Belgian style malt. Taste is a great mix between some dry hoppy notes with some really nice fruity ester with light apricot notes with some light residual candi sugar notes and a solid malt backbone. Body is full with great carbonation and light warming alcohol notes. Chimay is not my favourite Trappist brewery but this beer was well brewed and something I could envision having on a regular basis.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 13:37:26 | More by Phyl21ca

MDbiere

4.6/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle poured into a tulip.

A: Golden with an impressive white head

S: The nose on this beer is incredible, I mean one of the best for the style. Sweet malt, banana, light peppercorn, citrus, floral.

T: The taste follows the nose, with the sweet malt and spicy peppercorns balancing out nicely. Bananas, herbs, and some nice hop character.

M: Pretty damn smooth, well carbonated, full-bodied.

O: What else could you expect from a brewery like this celebrating their anniversary. Superb

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 23:12:25 | More by MDbiere

tdm168

North Carolina

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

On tap at World of Beer Raleigh

A - dark orange with a soft, white, thin lacing of head

S - banana, grapes, apple, straw

T - apple, banana, straw, faint coriander, bitter hops, a little herbal

M - smooth, well carbonated, warming alcohol in the finish

This is a nice, simple tripel. I like this better than their usual tripel. It has a more fruit forward yeastiness and rather bitter hop finish. The alcohol is intense as the beer warms, but it doesn't really detract from the flavor. This is a tripel worth looking into.

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2012 01:34:58 | More by tdm168

COBeerBuff

Kansas

4.58/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Blam! As soon as the cage came off, this bottle exploded. Almost a fifth of the bottle came out as foam and made the kitchen smell wonderful! The nose on this beer is sublime. Sweet citrus, lemongrass, fresh herbs, sweet bread, and a bit of peppery spice. Very effervescent on the tongue with a palate very similar to the nose and a nice warming finish. Very Chimay and very, very good!

Serving type: bottle

10-16-2012 22:24:53 | More by COBeerBuff

smakawhat

Maryland

4.43/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle at the Smoke & Barrel as part of DC bottle share into a tulip glass. From notes.

A small pour produces quite a super creamy head, white and shocking, rich and full. Fantastic lacing and rivlets on the glass, with a simple golden amber body. Lots of staying power for tha head always leaving a solid puck while drinking.

Great nose on this brew. Light airy malts, with some tripel like density. Sweet bakery bread, and butter, a faint hint of mild cinnamon. Real nice, it's like going to the bakery.

A real nice spicy sweetness when hitting the palate. Wonderful balance of malt and a great sweetness that comes with a buttery feel. White chocolate, a hint of actuall hot pepper and candy on the finish, almost menthol like in action. Flavors are quite powerful somewhat overwhelming, but they are harmoniously balanced nicely. No heat at all for a large 10% abv either.

Overall it's Chimay, what more can you expect? Kripes I want to steal this bottle and take it home for myself!

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 23:43:36 | More by smakawhat

axeman9182

New Jersey

4.4/5  rDev +5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

750 mL bottle poured into my Brooklyn Brewery tulip.

Chimay's Speciale Cent Cinquante pours a crystal clear goldenrod. Almost three fingers of fluffy white foam crown the beer. Neither head retention nor lacing are quite up to the standards of the best tripels. The nose is wonderfully complex. Pale fruits, spicy phenols, a warming alcohol note, and a floral presence all intermingle beautifully. I just wish the aroma was a little bit more potent. The flavor is similarly complex. Waves of pear and apple open things up, before a sharp phenol character that's more pepper than clove comes into play. The finish is a beautiful synthesis of this floral note that I don't usually find in tripels (maybe from the hops?) and a very pleasantly warming alcohol sensation that's almost a little bit fruity. I couldn't ask for anything more from the mouthfeel. The beer is superbly dried out for being 10% ABV, and it's paired with a lively carbonation that absolutely sparkles on my palate. Speciale Cent Cinquante is a beer worthy of honoring Chimay's 150th anniversary, and it's one of the very best tripels I've had. That said, I don't know if I can say it would be worth the ~$25 per bottle price tag on a regular basis, as there are other very good tripels out there for half the price. Still, I'm glad I tried a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 03:11:35 | More by axeman9182

jwc215

New Jersey

4.15/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750 ml cage-corked bottle, opens with a loud "pop".
Poured into a Chimay glass:

Pours golden with a frothy head that stays. Some fizz sound at first. The head settles and stays as trailing lace slides down the glass.

What a wonderful aroma this has! Bubblegum and cotton candy mix with the classic "Chimay" yeast scent. Lemony and herbal hops come through.
The taste is sweet but with some tart. Bubblegum and cotton candy with a slightly bready yeast show at first, but then a hoppy bitter bite comes in at the finish. Alcohol gives a peppery spicing without becoming overbearing or just alcoholic tasting.

The feel is very nice: creamy with a classic "Belgian-esque" effervescence. Somehow, it doesn't quite reach "perfect", but close enough to keep this drinker quite happy!

A very nice beer to celebrate a special occassion! This brewery was probably the first to show me the greatness of Belgium years ago. This beer seems hoppier than the other Chimays, from what I remember. Pretty complex, and well-balanced, this is a great night-time sipper! Is it worth the $20+ I spent for the bottle? Well, being that it is well-made and limited, I suppose so. Hey, compare this to a bottle of wine. And, I can't really compare this to the marks I gave the Chimays I had early on. This is good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2012 02:23:55 | More by jwc215