A Strong Dark Ale

What is it about Belgian beers that make them so unique? There are many hypotheses, and each may hold grains of truth. Some believe it’s the water in Belgium, soft and acidic, that lends itself to the creamy nature of the beer. Others believe that this velvety characteristic is a result of certain types of yeast, used in no other beer style. Not held back by purity laws like German brewers, Belgian brewers often use candy sugar and other odd additions to give their ales amazing tastes that pair well with food, and can evolve over time in a cellar. Still, others think the extremely high temperatures that Belgian beers ferment at bring about flavors not found in other beers.
Last week I wrote about Chimay Red, and next week I’ll write about Chimay White. But this week Chimay Blue takes center stage. Also known as Grande Réserve when served in the 750ml custom bottle, Chimay Blue is a Trappist ale, due to it’s being brewed by Trappist monks. More specifically, this beer falls under the style of Belgian strong dark ale, a stronger version of the dark ale, many of these beers creep above double-digit percent Alcohol By Volume (ABV).
On the back of the bottle reads “The exceptional yeast isolated by Father Theodore, combined with the purity of the highly protected water of the abbey’s wells, gives Chimay it’s unique richness.”
Just like a dubbel, a strong dark ale should be poured into a goblet-style glass or even a snifter. Once poured, a murky brown arises. But, held to the light, Chimay Blue shows a brilliant blood red, and is nowhere near clear.
A huge, creamy head quickly rises from the bottom of the glass. Tiny bubbles make up the mound of froth, the color of oatmeal. This drops to a quarter-inch in time.
Sweetness and an earthy quality greet the nose. The smell given off by this beer is intricate. Rich malt along with dark candy, but not chocolate. It is hard to differentiate all of the tastes in this ale, it is very complex and full of flavor. The warmth of alcohol is noticeable at the swallow and in the chest, yet it’s barely present in the flavor. However, the Chimay yeast is ever-present across the tongue. As the beer warms, and it should not have been very cold when opened, alcohol becomes more evident, and the effects impart a slight haze on the drinker’s perception. This is not a very carbonated beer, and while it offers a very smooth and fluffy mouthfeel, the tiny bubbles give a tingle and keep the beer lively. The finish is somewhat dry, but not hoppy or bitter. In fact, I detect almost no hops in this stellar dark ale.
Chimay Grande Réserve sits at 9 percent ABV. So, find a large bottle, gather a few friends, pop the cork, relax and sip a glass; perfection. Enjoy the brews … Cheers.
Gene’s Haufbrau has at more than 200 beers in bottles or on tap. Gene’s is located at 817 Savannah Hwy. 225-GENE. E-mail the Beer Snob at publisher@westof.net.