1001 Beers

Beer No: 19/1001
Page No: 654
Category: Dark

Sometimes, there's just something comforting about going back to what you know.  And you always know what you're going to get with Chimay Blue (and of course Red and White as well).  Last night, after a fun trip to the Bruery where we lost at trivia due to some really tough (and some absurd) questions, we stopped by BevMo and stocked up on good beer.  There was Chimay, Lost Abbey, Allagash, etc. - all waiting to be consumed.  But it was all for naught, we needed food too, so we stopped at Albertsons, and bought some cheap beer, since I guess the good beer would need to be saved for another time.

So maybe tomorrow I'll open the Lost Abbey Angel's Share - I'm not sure what else I have in the fridge from the book other than that right now.  But back to the Chimay.  Malty, spicy, sweet, fruity, it's a good beer - every time.  It goes well with almost any food and it's just a perfect beer to always have lying around when company comes over.  For a little history on Chimay, we turn to 1001 Beers:

"For those who find it odd that monks produce beer, a little history lesson is in order.  Since the Middle Ages and possibly earlier, monasteries have been centers of brewing, providing citizens with nutritious ales that were often far safer than the local drinking water because any contaminants would have been removed during the boiling process.  The Trappist edict dictates that the monks are prohibited from accepting charity and must therefore participate in commerce in order to both survive and fund any charitable works."

This is just part of the full page they have on Chimay Blue - they also talk about the brewery itself and of course about Chimay Blue.  Just a wonderful book - even if you aren't going to try all 1001.

My review, cross-posted at RateBeer.com:

Chimay Bleue (Blue) from Chimay

Aroma: 7/10
Appearance: 3/5
Taste: 8/10
Palate: 4/5
Overall: 12/20

Rating: 3.4 / 5.0

Had from bottle. Pours dark brown with off-white/tan head which lasts a while. Aromas of malts, sugars, caramel, and fruits. Complex flavors of more malts, fruits, and spices. It’s a standard around my household - always a good Belgian to go to that most company will enjoy. Not too over-the-top with the flavors, but a good balance that works well with most meals