I like this — what should I try next?

Starting from Chimay Blue

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

Chimay · 9% ABV · Belgian dark strong ale

What you are probably responding to: body (high), yeast fruitiness (esters) (high–very high), sweetness (moderate–high), alcohol warmth (high), malt intensity (high).

Worked out from this beer’s own profile rather than from its style, because a well-known beer is often not typical of the category it belongs to.

Closest to it

Very similar in structure and flavour. Safe ground rather than discovery.

• Dubbel

  A close structural match for Chimay Blue — a likely fit if you want more of the same.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low in both. Sweetness is comparable — moderate in both. Phenolic spice is comparable — low–moderate in both.

  Different: slightly less body (high → moderate). slightly less alcohol warmth (high → low–moderate). slightly less malt intensity (high → moderate).

  May not suit: Very close to Chimay Blue; if you wanted a change, this is not it.

  Try: Westmalle Dubbel, Chimay Rouge

• Bière de Garde

  A close structural match for Chimay Blue — a likely fit if you want more of the same.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low in both. Sweetness is comparable — moderate in both. Malt intensity is comparable — high in both.

  Different: noticeably more bread & biscuit (none–trace → moderate–high). slightly less body (high → moderate). slightly less alcohol warmth (high → low–moderate).

  May not suit: Noticeably more bread & biscuit than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Jenlain Ambrée

• Belgian blond ale

  A close structural match for Chimay Blue — a likely fit if you want more of the same.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low in both. Sweetness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Dryness is comparable — moderate in both.

  Different: much less malt intensity (high → none–trace). much less caramel & toffee (high → none–trace). noticeably less alcohol warmth (high → low).

  May not suit: Noticeably less malt intensity than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Leffe Blonde

Similar, but different

Keeps what you probably like about it and changes one or two things. Usually the most useful answer.

• Tripel

  Keeps most of what Chimay Blue does and shifts malt intensity.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Phenolic spice is comparable — moderate–high in both. Yeast fruitiness (esters) is comparable — high in both.

  Different: much less malt intensity (high → none–trace). much less caramel & toffee (high → none–trace). slightly less sweetness (moderate–high → low).

  May not suit: Noticeably less malt intensity than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Westmalle Tripel, Tripel Karmeliet

• Belgian golden strong ale

  Keeps most of what Chimay Blue does and shifts malt intensity.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Alcohol warmth is comparable — moderate–high in both. Yeast fruitiness (esters) is comparable — high in both.

  Different: much less malt intensity (high → none–trace). much less caramel & toffee (high → none–trace). noticeably less body (high → low).

  May not suit: Noticeably less malt intensity than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Duvel, Duvel Tripel Hop

• Sahti

  Keeps most of what Chimay Blue does and shifts carbonation.

  Shared: Sweetness is comparable — moderate–high in both. Body is comparable — high in both. Malt intensity is comparable — high in both.

  Different: much less carbonation (high → none–trace). much less caramel & toffee (high → none–trace). noticeably less dryness (moderate → trace).

  May not suit: Noticeably less carbonation than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Lammin Sahti

A bigger jump

Genuinely different, but connected by something specific — the shared trait is named so you can judge whether the bridge holds.

• Eisbock

  Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Chimay Blue.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low in both. Sweetness is comparable — high in both. Alcohol warmth is comparable — high–very high in both.

  Different: much more bread & biscuit (none–trace → high). noticeably less carbonation (high → trace–low). noticeably less dryness (moderate → none–trace).

  May not suit: Noticeably more bread & biscuit than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Schneider Aventinus Eisbock

• Doppelbock

  Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Chimay Blue.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low in both. Sweetness is comparable — moderate–high in both. Body is comparable — high–very high in both.

  Different: much more bread & biscuit (none–trace → high–very high). noticeably less carbonation (high → low). noticeably less dryness (moderate → none–trace).

  May not suit: Noticeably more bread & biscuit than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Paulaner Salvator, Ayinger Celebrator

• Baltic porter

  Both carry real malt intensity, which is the thread to follow if that is what you like about Chimay Blue.

  Shared: Bitterness is comparable — low–moderate in both. Sweetness is comparable — moderate–high in both. Body is comparable — high in both.

  Different: noticeably less carbonation (high → low). noticeably less dryness (moderate → none–trace). noticeably more roast (none–trace → moderate).

  May not suit: Noticeably less carbonation than Chimay Blue.

  Try: Żywiec Porter