Chimay

Why it matters

The first Trappist brewery to distribute widely outside Belgium, and largely responsible for the international recognition of the category.

Details

Reference beers

• Chimay Blue9% ABV

  The most widely distributed Trappist dark strong ale, and for many drinkers the first Belgian beer of any depth they encounter.

• Chimay Cinq Cents8% ABV

  The Trappist tripel from Chimay, drier and more hop-forward than the style’s usual reference points.

• Chimay Dorée4.8% ABV

  The beer the monks brew for their own table, sold commercially — low in strength and not at all low in character.

• Chimay Rouge7% ABV

  The Trappist dubbel from Scourmont, and the most widely available reference for the style.

BeerHQ carries only the products that anchor something. This is not the brewery’s full range.

Styles it is associated with

• Dubbel — A dark Belgian ale rich in raisin, plum and caramel from dark candi sugar, dry-finishing despite its sweetness of flavour.
• Belgian dark strong ale — The strongest of the Belgian dark ales: raisin, fig and dark caramel over substantial warmth, with a surprisingly dry finish.
• Tripel — A strong pale Belgian ale that is simultaneously rich and dry, with pepper, orchard fruit and a sparkling, deceptive drinkability.

Traditions

• Belgian abbey and Trappist brewing — Strong, highly attenuated, bottle-conditioned ales built on expressive yeast and candi sugar, produced in or licensed by monastic communities.