Last night my friends and I decided to try our luck at some pub trivia at Old Oak Pub in the Schumann district of Brussels. The trivia was lightning fast but the score keeping was painfully slow so we never did learn how we placed since we can't spend all night on a Monday at the bar. However, I did get the opportunity to add a few more beers to my list. The night's starter selection was Chimay Blue, a dark Trappist ale from an the abbey in Chimay. I have to admit, this wasn't my first run around with a Chimay beer. Luckily there is ample opportunity to sample some in Pittsburgh. I tend to frequent the Belgian brew pub in my neighborhood, Sharp Edge, where it is available and often enjoy a Chimay Tripple with a Chaud Chevre Salad or the Moules Frites at Point Brugge. Yum!
That being said, I already knew Chimay Blue is a pleasure, but registering in at 9% ABV and having a smoothness that makes it go down all to easy means you have to be careful with this one. Had I tried to continue with the Blue through the course of our quiz, I would have been in rare form. For those of you less familiar with this one, the color is a bit lighter than the picture would suggest but it's still a deep brown ale so it's not as thick as a stout or a porter. The aroma is light and alludes to the taste that will follow. The flavor is full and complex, as it changes quite a bit from start to finish and throughout the course of the glass. I like this one because there are lots of nuanced flavors in the beer that you will notice if you concentrate (of course the academic says that) and it's rich without being heavy. I like the aftertaste as well because it lets the beer linger for awhile so you can sip it satisfyingly slowly. Carbonation is mild which leaves it with a smooth feel that is the mostly the cause of the danger acknowledge above. Like I said, this one can be trouble. My notes told me I had the start of good buzz on when I was 3/4 of the way through :-)
In sum:
Appearance 5.5
Aroma 24
Flavor 40
Mouthfeel 9
Overall Impression 19
Total 97.5-go out and get yourself one
That being said, I already knew Chimay Blue is a pleasure, but registering in at 9% ABV and having a smoothness that makes it go down all to easy means you have to be careful with this one. Had I tried to continue with the Blue through the course of our quiz, I would have been in rare form. For those of you less familiar with this one, the color is a bit lighter than the picture would suggest but it's still a deep brown ale so it's not as thick as a stout or a porter. The aroma is light and alludes to the taste that will follow. The flavor is full and complex, as it changes quite a bit from start to finish and throughout the course of the glass. I like this one because there are lots of nuanced flavors in the beer that you will notice if you concentrate (of course the academic says that) and it's rich without being heavy. I like the aftertaste as well because it lets the beer linger for awhile so you can sip it satisfyingly slowly. Carbonation is mild which leaves it with a smooth feel that is the mostly the cause of the danger acknowledge above. Like I said, this one can be trouble. My notes told me I had the start of good buzz on when I was 3/4 of the way through :-)In sum:
Appearance 5.5
Aroma 24
Flavor 40
Mouthfeel 9
Overall Impression 19
Total 97.5-go out and get yourself one
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