I have to give this one to the monks:

This beer almost makes me want to convert.

I gave The Lone Stranger a taste of Chimay Red. By the end of the glass, he said it was the best beer (ale) he's ever had in his life.

I just bought two bottles of the Chimay Blue (Grand Reserve) at Costco. I think I should go back and get more.

I could drink that stuff all night long, but the Lord and my wife wouldn't take it very good.

I can't get how good the taste is out of my head. I think the Trappist Spirits have possessed me! (Getitgetitgetit?!)

I want to go get one after work.

I challenge anyone who has not tried it to give it a shot and see if the old Dr. knows what he's talking about.

I also challenge any beer lover on this board--good guys and idiots alike--to drink and not like Chimay.


To make this R&P related, I quote Benjamin Franklin: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Atheists? Tried Chimay? Then you know there is a God.

I got a bottle of Chimay Blue for my birthday and am saving for a special occasion, like getting off work today.
You should try Celis Grand Cru for an excellent American version of spiced ale.

I tried Grand Reserve and Premiere about 2-3 weeks ago. I enjoyed Premiere slightly more, but regardless, both are divine beers.

Is this the official beer of the R&P board?

Or is this a wine?

[This message has been edited by Homsar (edited 11/13/2009 11:00a).]

Does Specs carry this?

I think Specs would have it.

Chimmay is great but its not the only Trappist beer.

I will confess, like a good Catholic, that the last time I drank Chimmay I got vomitiously sick the next day.

Dr. M. is right. That beer was so good I almost converted from protestantism on the spot.
Those Monks can flat brew a superb ale.

It was honestly the best beer I have even sipped in my whole life. I am thankful that it is over ten dollars a bottle or I would overindulge.

Which one the red or blue?

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Does Specs carry this?

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Yes, $10-12 for about a .75L bottle, depending on what type you want. That's where I got mine. If you are not familiar with opening them up, don't be surprised if it gives a "pop" -- sort of like opening a bottle of champagne.

I don't know; Dr. M. was generous enough to buy it. He told me that I needed to try this beer. When he told me how much it costs, I told him that he was crazy; no beer can be that good.

I was wrong.

Video of Chimay brewery.

[This message has been edited by Seamaster (edited 11/13/2009 11:43a).]

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Is this the official beer of the R&P board?

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Answer: As of the moment you read this, yes.

As of the moment you drink it, of your House, too!

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Or is this a wine?

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Priced and packaged like a wine (cork with twisty-wire, about the same price as a decent bottle)



The alcohol content is between a wine and a regular beer.

Alcohol content as follows: Premiere or Rouge (Red) 7%;

White or Triple (White) 8%,

Bleue or Grand Reserve (Take a Guess) 9%.


The Red and Blue have a malty smoothness that, strangely enough, I have no trouble remembering. I don't recall remembering flavors better than the one these ales will leave with you.

If you try one, prepare to become a convert.



Hey, here's something weird. When you buy this, be sure the beer is cold, and to put a very wide mouth glass in the freezer first for about 30 min. When you drink it, be sure to pour it into the wide mouth glass. The wider the mouth, the better the beer will taste because of access to air.

Don't believe it?

Test me.

Let your first swig be from the bottle. Savor it, then wait. Pour it in the frozen glass, swish it a bit in the air (not too much; I know it's a bit pretentious sounding, but do it anyway), then taste again.

If there is no difference, then I'll accept the crazy label. If there is, you just discovered one of the cool things about Trappist ales in relation to how they should be drunk! (And how if you're not careful, you will be "drunk" as well!)

Glasses specifically made for Chimay look like crystal chalices--very large mouths getting wider as you mouve up the glass.

Once you've completed The Dr. Mephisto Chimay Taste Test Challenge, NEVER DRINK IT FROM THE BOTTLE OR SMALL MOUTHED GLASS AGAIN! It's a shame to waste good Trappist ale that way!

Now, you are on your way to a wonderful beer snobbery that you won't regret, except in the wallet!

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Does Specs carry this?

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Yes. In the beer coolers over by the single specialty beers.

Brace for sticker shock.

Unless you are wealthy, it's a bit pricey.





I will soon be on The Lone Stranger's back porch, with Chimay, the Joy of The Lord flowing freely, malty and smooth!


Cheers to everyone today!

Nothing to add...definitely at the top of my list.

Can't believe I missed this post until now. The Beer Czar is slacking (working).

I most heartily recommend all three varieties of beer produced by the monks of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont. The 750mL bottles are good, and contain their ordinary (what strange word to use here) beers. However, if you can find the Chimay Grande Reserve (Blue) in Magnum (1.5L) or Jeroboam (3.0L) bottles, purchase one. It is aged, and has an even smoother character. It is more expensive, but well worth it. And, since the bottles are larger, by all means, they are meant to be shared with good friends (like me).

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The church is near, but the road is icy; the tavern is far, and I will walk carefully.

Dr. M

I like your style

You can get around the glass question by simply buying an official "Chimay" glass.

Also, I don't think the cost is all that considering that it really only takes one beer to give a buzz that would take 3-4 from other beers.

Re: Official glass

Each brewery that brews either Trappist and Abbey style beers usually markets a glass that is supposed perfectly accentuate the aromas of the requisite beer.

IMHO, a snifter or goblet is preferred. But in a pinch, any GLASS will do. :-)

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The church is near, but the road is icy; the tavern is far, and I will walk carefully.

This is also good stuff:

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Rochefort Trappist Brewery

The Abbey of St-Remy, in the southern part of Belgium, was founded in 1230, and the monks began to brew beer sometime around 1595. The beautiful small brewery in the abbey, Rochefort Trappistes, is one of only seven Trappist breweries in the world and makes full-bodied, deeply flavored dark ales. They are bottle-conditioned and among the world's most highly-respected beverages.

"6" or Red Cap

Reddish-brown color with amber-gold highlights; soft body leads to earthy flavors and an herbal character. Refined, soft spiciness in the bouquet finishes with a bit caramel. Bottle-conditioned for soft natural carbonation.

Cream soups and rich dishes; can support vinaigrette dressing. Wonderful to clear the palate when served with concentrated, creamy foods. Serve in traditional Rochefort stemmed goblet.

Gold Medal—World Beer Championships 2006

11.2 oz bottles / 12 per case

"8" or Green Cap

Deep brown color; the flavor is vigorous and complex, with firm body to support the strength. The aroma has elusive notes of fresh fruit, spice, leather, and figs.

Great with full-flavored dishes like pate, duck, or wild game; shows well with strong-flavored cheeses. Also wonderful alone as an aperitif. Serve in traditional Rochefort stemmed goblet.

Gold Medal—World Beer Championships 2004, 2006
11.2 oz bottles / 12 per case

"10" or Blue Cap

Dark brown color. Great strength balanced by a complexity of flavors and firm malt backbone. The bouquet covers a wide range: port wine, leather, apricots, oak, spices - a deeply intriguing beverage.

Lamb shanks with juniper berries, wild chantrelle mushrooms, truffles, or dishes with intensely reduced sauces. Serve in the traditional stemmed Rochefort goblet.

Gold Medal—World Beer Championships 2004, 2006

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Dr. M

I like your style

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At your service, gov'ner!

^
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(meant to have the happy face)

Westvleteren

Westmalle Trappist Ale is also incredibly good.

From Wikipedia:

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The Trappist order originated in the Cistercian monastery of La Trappe, France. Various Cistercian congregations existed for many years, and by 1664 the Abbot of La Trappe felt that the Cistercians were becoming too liberal. He introduced strict new rules in the abbey and the Strict Observance was born. Since this time, many of the rules have been relaxed. However, a fundamental tenet, that monasteries should be self-supporting, is still maintained by these groups.

Monastery brewhouses, from different religious orders, existed all over Europe, since the middle-ages. From the very beginning, beer was brewed in French cistercian monasteries following the Strict Observance. For example, the monastery of La Trappe in Soligny, already had its own brewery in 1685. Breweries were only later introduced in monasteries of other countries, following the extension of the trappist order from France to the rest of Europe. The Trappists, like many other religious people, originally brewed beer as to feed the community, in a perspective of self-sufficiency. Nowadays, trappist breweries also brew beer to fund their works, and for good causes. Many of the trappist monasteries and breweries were destroyed during the French Revolution and the World Wars. Among the monastic breweries, the Trappists were certainly the most active brewers: in the last 300 years, there were at least nine Trappist breweries in France, six in Belgium, two in the Netherlands, one in Germany, one in Austria, one in Bosnia and possibly other countries.

Today, seven trappist breweries remain active, in Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the twentieth century, the growing popularity of Trappist beers drew some unscrupulous brewers with no connection to the order to label their beers as "Trappist". After unsuccessful trials, monks finally sued one such brewer in 1962 in Ghent, Belgium.

International Trappist Association

In 1997, eight Trappist abbeys - six from Belgium (Orval, Chimay, Westvleteren, Rochefort, Westmalle and Achel), one from The Netherlands (Koningshoeven) and one from Germany (Mariawald) - founded the International Trappist Association (ITA) to prevent non-Trappist commercial companies from abusing the Trappist name. This private association created a logo that is assigned to goods (cheese, beer, wine, etc.) that respect precise production criteria. For the beers, these criteria are the following:

* The beer must be brewed within the walls of a Trappist abbey, by or under control of Trappist monks.
* The brewery, the choices of brewing, and the commercial orientations must obviously depend on the monastic community.
* The economic purpose of the brewery must be directed toward assistance and not toward financial profit.

This association has a legal standing, and its logo gives to the consumer some information and guarantees about the produce.

There are currently seven breweries that are allowed to have their products display the Authentic Trappist Product logo:

Bières de Chimay 1863 123,000 hL
Brasserie d'Orval 1931 45,000 hL
Brasserie de Rochefort 1899 18,000 hL
Brouwerij Westmalle 1836 120,000 hL
Brouwerij Westvleteren 1838 4,750 hL
Brouwerij De Achelse Kluis 1998 4,500 hL
Brouwerij De Koningshoeven 1884 145,000 hL

The Dutch brewery De Koningshoeven produces the only Dutch Trappist beers — branded La Trappe — that are able to carry the "Authentic Trappist Product" logo. In 1999, however, their use of the logo was withdrawn, but was restored in October 2005.

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Trappist Beer (and Abbey style beers too)

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The church is near, but the road is icy; the tavern is far, and I will walk carefully.

A big bottle of Chimay Blue is chilling in the fridge while a glass is getting frosty in the freezer...

and the baby is in bed early....ah friday night..

When you guys move away from chimay to westvleteren, you will cease to believe in god and start to agree with me on my posts.

For your own sake, pay the 120 on ebay and buy a 6 pack of westvleteren. You will be forever changed. Chimay is fantastic, but westvleteren makes chimay look like budlight. I know many of you can afford it, and everybody should be allowed to taste the best beer in the world at least once. Look it up.

Google best beer in the world:

http://beeradvocate.com/top_beers

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When you guys move away from chimay to westvleteren, you will cease to believe in god and start to agree with me on my posts.

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Why? Westvleteren is still brewed by Trappist monks.

this is my favorite trappist brew!!!!

I don't come around here much but this caught my eye.

Of the Trappists I've had, I enjoy Orval. But I'm getting more and more into wild ales. Chimay is great though. Their Grand Reserve definitely had me reconsidering Belgian Strong Dark ales and Quadrupels. I do tend to stick to American Belgian inspired brews though. The Russian River brewery has a great line of -ation brews.

Westvleteren does request that no one that buys their beer resell it. They refuse to distribute it and it is only (afaik) sold out of their brewery. Although I never had it I wonder if some of the Westy hype is based in confirmation bias.

Brew Like a Monk is a great book with an eye to the brewing side but a good amount of history as well.

[This message has been edited by alley (edited 11/15/2009 6:46p).]

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Brew Like a Monk is a great book

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This sounds like a great book, seriously! I wonder if there is a "Dress Like a Monk" sequel?

I hope so. I never know whether to wear my knotted belt to the left or the right while brewing.
Left while brewing, right while feeding orphans? These questions need answers.

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Although I never had it I wonder if some of the Westy hype is based in confirmation bias

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There is alot of hype, some do wonder this, you are not alone. But I have had it, many times. It is the best. Or I should say the best I've had. Orval is my second favorite. There is no comparison between westvleteren and orval. You know which one is the best when you taste it. I would say the difference is similar to going from Duvel to Orval. Orval is just better.

The book "Brew like a Monk" is indeed a good read. It gives terrific insight into brewing the beers that our brewed by Trappists as well as those that are similar in style.

Someday, I hope to try the beers of Westvleteren, but I would prefer to do it in a manner that respects the wishes of the monks at the Abbey of Saint Sixtus.

I will say, while there is a difference in quality in these beers as compared to large-scale macrobreweries around the world, the main difference in taste is purely subjective. And while there is an undeniable mystique with regard to those beers that proudly wear the Trappist moniker, there are many other excellent beers that are similar in style. I encourage all of you to try others breweries including these fine examples:
http://www.allagash.com/beer.htm
http://www.unibroue.com/index_eng.html
http://www.russianriverbrewing.com/web/belgian.html

Also, there is a relatively new brewery in Orange County, CA. They specialize in Belgian-inspired beers. I heartily recommend their Saison Rue. Fermented with wild yeast, and slightly sour. Delicious.
http://www.thebruery.com/beers/index.html

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The church is near, but the road is icy; the tavern is far, and I will walk carefully.

We tried the Orval first Friday.

Bought a small bottle, Split it with Stranger, then moved to Chimay.

Very nice.

Didn't think it as smooth as Chimay back to back.

But would not complain about the Orval.

It just had an edge or a bite the Chimay didn't have.