Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

Chimay Blue

What is RateBeer?

X Ratebeer is a community website where craft beer enthusiasts can leave beer ratings. Each beer has a score out of 100.

Rating:

95% of 100

71 Reviews

Style

Abbey Beer

Country

Belgium

Brewery

Chimay

ABV

9.0%

Bottle Size

330ml

Serving Temp

5 to 7°C

9.0%

330ml

Details
Brewery Info
Reviews

Details

The most famous of the Trappist beers and best enjoyed in its distinctive Trappist chalice, this is without doubt a beer of great tradition. The Cistercian Trappist monks of Chimay have been brewing since 1862, with their abbey being located on the site of a well which provides pure water for the beer.

Bearing the mark of an Authentic Trappist Product, the Chimay Blue Strong Dark Ale is world-class Belgian elegance in a bottle. This authentic Belgian beer is complex, rich and powerful--all of which improve and transform over many years thanks to its classic bottle-conditioning.

Whilst obviously strong the alcohol is barely noticeable giving way, instead, to the beautiful aromas of spicy Belgian yeast, bread dough and toffee—the mark of great craftsmanship. Rich and intense with lovely caramel notes, it’s the lovely dry finish allows the distinct Belgian flavours to linger well into the next sip. Absolutely gorgeous.

Brewery Info

You can always rely on monks to made a great beer, and those at Chimay are no exception. Brewing since 1862, they use fresh water from abbey land and a natural top-fermentation process followed by refermentation in the bottle.

The Chimay beer produced today uses a unique yeast strain selected by Father Theodore in 1948 - giving the beer its own special character and aroma. Our particular favourite is Chimay Blue, which can be aged like a fine wine thanks to its classic bottle-conditioning. Like all Trappist beer, the majority of revenue goes to support charitable projects - what a great use of brewing.

Reviews

Write Your Own Review

Only registered users can write reviews. Please Sign in or create an account

Absolutely Delicious

100%

Review by Tom 02/10/2019

Lovely Beer. I personally prefer Chimay Red but this is sweeter and darker and really delightful.

Amazing stuff

100%

Review by Steven 21/09/2019

An outstanding beer and one that I never tire of picking up - a must try.

For the beer-hearted

100%

Review by Neil 11/09/2019

A strong beer that doesn't feel strong (at the time of consumption). Surprisingly smooth dark ale with only slight bitterness, best drunk at room temperature, not chilled.

Wonderful

100%

Review by Steven 02/06/2019

Great to drink in the winter. Also fantastic all year round

Classic

80%

Review by Dominik 07/05/2019

Strong, rich, fruity and spicy.

Great taste from a world-renowned brewer

100%

Review by Wayne 02/04/2019

Fantastic beer that has been a personal favourite of mine for many years. Works well in all weather! Just simply a great beer

Perfect

100%

Review by Heidi 01/04/2019

Superb Belgian beer, superb price tag. What more could we want?

Standard trappist

80%

Review by David 14/03/2019

Quality trappist beer with an outstanding head and fragrant smell. Great choice.

Rich yet easily drinkable dark beer

80%

Review by Jack 18/02/2019

Strong aroma and a quite punchy taste upfront. Quite smooth whilst drinking with a slightly yeasty aftertaste. Very drinkable given the strength. The recommended serving temperature is a bit too cool for my taste.

Best Trappist I've tasted

100%

Review by Alex 18/07/2018

Gorgeous, luxurious full bodied taste . Ideal in the winter but happily drink any time of the year. In my top ten beers, and best dark beer certainly

Best Belguim

100%

Review by Andy 25/04/2018

I love this beer. Lovely and smooth, full of intense flavour. Really complex.

Fantastic

100%

Review by CrimsonKing 22/04/2018

Simply one of the best Belgian dark ales.

Superb.

100%

Review by Turbo 26/03/2018

Dark, strong and fantastic. Complex tasting, smooth and all too easy to drink. One of the best beers in the world.

Chimay Chimay Aw Chimay Aw Chimay Ay

100%

Review by Vino 16/03/2018

This has got to be my favourite of the Chimay's (ODB always pops into my head while drinking this) It's a fantastic beer and is best savoured on a cold winters night. Or in the pub. I've been lucky enough to have this whilst in the Red Rose where they keep them cellar chilled. It's worth the visit just for that.

Seriously heavy duty brown ale

60%

Review by Steve 09/03/2018

A seriously heavy duty Trappist Dark Brown ale with complex malts over a strongly floral yeastiness.

Stunning beer

100%

Review by Mark 04/03/2018

Pours a clear mahogany colour with average carbonation and a good level of head retention. Aromas of Belgian yeast, alcohols, caramel, molasses, roasted malts and dark berries. Taste is a blend of all of these, a deliciously complex blend of stewed dark fruits, caramel, mollasses, dates and just enough hop presence to prevent the beer from becoming cloying. Has a long, dry finish leaving behind nice warming alcohols. Fantastic Trappist beer, one of my all time favourites.

Mainstay of the Chimay ales

100%

Review by Jason 21/02/2018

Probably the most common of the Chimay ales, it isn't hard to see why. Very

Chimay’s finest!

100%

Review by Rob 13/02/2018

Definitely the best of the Chimay range. A strong dark ale that can be enjoyed on its own or with a good French blue cheese. Warming and deceptive, this doesn’t taste like it’s a 9% Beer.

Suprising

80%

Review by Rich Mahogany 11/01/2018

Very drinkable considering the strength.

Lovely

100%

Review by Alex 02/01/2018

Real treat to the palate. So drinkable and flavoursome - so pleasant to drink you wouldn't think it has such a high abv

Stunning dark

100%

Review by RLlyRay 28/12/2017

Stunning bark beer, very good indeed! Much preferred this one to the white! Will buy again

really good beer

80%

Review by Christopher 26/12/2017

Definitely one to be buying again

As good as Chimay Red

100%

Review by Carl 21/12/2017

As good if not better than the Chinay Red, yes it is more expensive but you get what you pat for and well worth a treat.

Very rich and heavy

60%

Review by Dudes Brews 03/12/2017

There are some lovely flavours of raisin, dates and dark fruit in this beer but for me its just too sweet and rich. Found it quite heavy going and was a long time drinking it.

Classic

100%

Review by Benjamin 01/12/2017

Brilliant Trappist beer. Regularly drink this, all colours are good but the blue is the cream of the crop. Try it!

Quality beer

100%

Review by Arwel 30/11/2017

Gorgeous dubbel, one of the best dark beers out there.

Dark malt

100%

Review by Neil 22/08/2017

A dark malty Belgian with good alcohol content. You can roll this around your mouth and let the flavours wash over your tongue.

Fantastic

100%

Review by Kidd 28/04/2017

Simply put its a great beer. cant decide which is best the blue red or white? love it

A classic

100%

Review by Twedds 30/03/2017

Strong and smooth, dark and fruity. This is a colossus of the Belgian beer world. A must try.

Definitely my favourite Chimay :)

80%

Review by Edward 21/12/2016

This is a peerless brew - yeasty molasses in a glass that tastes far nicer than that description would have you believe!!

Epic

100%

Review by Hoppy 17/12/2016

One of the finest Belgian beers. Huge depth of flavour

Just superb

100%

Review by SHUNT 14/12/2016

Really an excellent beer - full bodied, dark with heavy aroma. A great example of what a strong belgium beer should be.

essential

100%

Review by birky 06/12/2016

dark, strong and tasty. whats not to like

excellent

100%

Review by bottled 20/11/2016

Lovely aroma. Dark and tasty to be sipped and savoured, the pick of the Chimay range.

Great

100%

Review by Emma C 13/11/2016

Bought all 3 Chimay for my husband. All 3 were very nice, but the white pipped the others to the post for him. Good to have the 3 to compare rather than just the one usually available in stores.

Great

100%

Review by Emma C 13/11/2016

Bought all 3 Chimay for my husband. All 3 were very nice, but the white pipped the others to the post for him. Good to have the 3 to compare rather than just the one usually available in stores.

Classic

100%

Review by Johnny 15/10/2016

Bottle. Dark brownish with big beige head. Aroma of fruits, roasted malts, yeast, bread, raisin, dried fruits. Taste is light sweet, caramely mouthfeel, acidic fruity notes. Medium body, creamy texture, soft carbonation.

Classic

100%

Review by Paul 12/10/2016

Dark and strong, plenty of flavours, complex, just right on a cold evening, drink it slowly and enjoy

One of the best in the world

100%

Review by Shunt 12/10/2016

This has to be one of the best beers in the world of this style.
Dark, complex and silky.
Simply a pure joy to sip and enjoy - with each taste revealing something new.
If you want to sample a dark belgium beer look no further.....this is pure excellence.

Strong and smooth

100%

Review by Rachelique 03/09/2016

Good strong beer, smooth, with hints of banana and toffee. We like this beer!

My Current Favorite

100%

Review by BKKBeers 30/08/2016

Without going into a lot of detail, Chimay Blue is simply a joy to drink. I always sense is subtle chocolate flavor lingering. Don't take my word for it. Drink one, and you too may become a believer.

Exceptional

100%

Review by jacks77 05/08/2016

Potentially the best beer in the world. Deep, dark Belgian. Take your time over it

A beer to savour

100%

Review by JLEFC 14/07/2016

Chimay blue is a beer you'll want to take your time with. A rich, dark silky smooth beer that'll show you what dark belgian beer is all about.

Dark delight

100%

Review by Good head 27/06/2016

A silky smooth taste in a very strong beer. Spicy and sweet with a dryness that really rounds it off. A real quality Belgian beer.

Brilliant beer

100%

Review by Mark T 23/06/2016

This has to be one of the best in the world. I've seen all the rave reviews already posted and cannot really add any more superlatives.
Just recommend that you go out and try it!

Wow...

100%

Review by HeyBeers! 12/05/2016

One of the best beers in the world! rich and dark and full of beery goodness. Cannot get enough!

A true classic

100%

Review by Chris H 20/04/2016

A really amazing beer. Dark, rich and complex. Take your time with it and enjoy every moment. I'll be ordering many more of these in the future.

Classic

100%

Review by Chris H 18/04/2016

Absolute classic! One to savour and to take your time with. If you haven't tried this beer yet, do so immediately!

Perfect

100%

Review by Johnny 26/01/2016

dark brown color strong aroma of fig, red berries and honey taste a bit alcohol but nice caramel and sweetness inside

A Good Example

80%

Review by BeeryPaul 18/01/2016

The is a great example of a Trappist beer,

excellent

100%

Review by Mrs bobo 11/01/2016

My husband was really pleased with this beer. He thought the quality of flavour was excellent. Will certainly be buying again.

As good as ever

100%

Review by Llamaman 03/01/2016

Never fails to delight. Saw in the New Year very nicely :)

As good as I remember from years back.

80%

Review by trapper 22/12/2015

It\'s - inexplicably - several years since I last sampled a Chimay, either Blue or Red. I shouldn\'t have waited - smooth and rewarding as ever. Just as I remember. It will be re-ordered once the other samplings have finished

A classic Trappist beer

100%

Review by Kent Hatter 22/12/2015

Definitely on my re-order list, this dark, strong beer is consistently brilliant. With deep flavours that remain, this is a beer to drunk slowly and revered!

What a beer!

100%

Review by Alan 01/11/2015

This has to be top 3 beers I've ever tried. It's AMAZING, dark, strong, with strong carbonation. Will be drinking it again, definitely :)

Strong but nice

100%

Review by Matt 27/09/2015

Another one of my 1001 ales ticked off. This was strangely strong but nice. Very thick and dark. Will be having this again.

A 'bucket list' beer

100%

Review by Llamaman 14/08/2015

You hear a lot about 'bucket lists' these days, to the point of overkill. But, in a dose of rampant hypocrisy, I will say that if you like beer, you really do need to try this one before you die.
It's one of the classic trappist beers - this one delivers a huge malty hit, but those clever monks know how to balance it out so that you'd never know it's packing 9%.
Be warned - it can be quite lively so have your glass handy or you';; end up spilling some (and then having to explain why you're licking the table...)

conversion

100%

Review by dodge 18/07/2015

Not a massive fan of the trappist genre this one could change my mind. Dark smooth and the sort of beer that makes you regret when the glass is empty.
I will be reordering this one

Classic

100%

Review by Will77 28/06/2015

Still one of my favourite beers & will always be on my shopping list. Love the deep dark smooth taste that leaves me wanting more & more

strong and dark

80%

Review by Len From Leyton 18/06/2015

Deliciously strong and dark. Heavy after tastes. malty aswell.the chocolate tastes are very prounoiunced.
Enjoyable as a one off early session beer.

Easily my Favourite Brew

100%

Review by Shawn 02/06/2015

In my opinion, this is the finest Chimay expression. The ABV is substantial enough without being over-powering. I am partial to Trappist beers, but this is by far my favourite.

Great flavour

80%

Review by Markiemark 17/05/2015

The strength of this beer is disguised in flavour. Strong and hoppy but not sickly sweet. I didn't really realise what I was getting until I looked at the bottle and could not believe it was 9%!!

Blue Heaven

100%

Review by Snoops 25/04/2015

This is a fine, fine beer. Buy yourself a glass for that added sense of Belgian-ness and pretend you are sat in medieval square. Pour carefully and don't let any sediment into your beverage, take in the aromas and enjoy the rich fruity chocolate notes. A beer I always come back too.

Simply the best...

100%

Review by RachB 24/04/2015

Buy a Chimay, get craft supremity. This is powerful but the flavours come through in many layers to provide the finest Belgian ale...

Good stuff

80%

Review by 101proof 03/04/2015

This is my favourite Chimay. Rich, smooth and hits all the right notes. A bit too strong for me but nice to have the occasional one.

Chimay!!!!

100%

Review by Ady Gray 01/04/2015

There isn't much one can say that hasn't already been said about, these masters of the Trappist Art, Chimay. White, Blue, or Red; the only change is the strength of the ABV. Truly magnificent beers

fallen into a trappist

100%

Review by Jack Swans 22/01/2015

I first drank this beer in Sweden. Dark, rich and deadly. It's. Classic Trappist beer, perhaps the best known globally. My advice is get the right glass and pour it thus: invert the bottle into the glass so that the neck of the bottle touches the bottom of the glass. Then swirl and lift the bottle slowly so that the beer pour slowly. The head will be better and any yeasty sediment will homogenise through the pour. That way you get the best flavour. Great beer

one to saviour

100%

Review by splink 19/01/2015

Good tasting beer better not chilled as affects flavour not in a good way. One of my favourite beers brings back memories of Brussels where I discovered real beer.

Not a Session Beer!

60%

Review by Ay Pee Horne 29/11/2014

Super strong, almost barley wine so. Probably best split with a friend and definitely earlier in a session. Not one to go daft with, but an enjoyable change of scenery.

More bubbles than you'd expect!

80%

Review by MegaHops 25/11/2014

I've had Chimay more frequently than I care to disclose. A fantastic example of a Belgian beer. Upon opening I have been surprised at how many bubbles rush to the cap - best opening over a sink. A good taste! Great in the cold winters we have here in England.

One to share

80%

Review by Jon 06/11/2012

I have now had this 3 times. Twice towards the end of an evening which, given the strength was a mistake. However I then shared one before a meal as a taster and I really quite enjoyed it's dark, deep, winey taste. It doesnt taste as strong as the headline ABV might suggest, but after a couple of sips you realise it is.