Red, white, and blue are all popular colors throughout many cultures and different types of alcohol. Read on to learn everything you need to know about drinking Chimay Blue vs Red vs White!
There are many types of beer, each with its own distinct taste and alcohol content. If you’ve ever wondered how the various types of beer stack up against one another, the following article should serve as a helpful resource.
Here you will find information on three different types of Chimay beer – Blue, Red, and White – including details regarding their alcohol content (ABV), calories, and general drinking recommendations.
Reduced-alcohol beers are also becoming more commonplace in today’s market. If you prefer to drink less alcoholic drinks but still want to enjoy your favorite beer flavors, this article has some useful information for you too!
Chimay Blue vs Red vs White
Chimay Blue
Chimay Blue is a dark ale, brewed in Belgium by the same company that makes the world-famous Blue cheese. It has a higher alcohol content of 9% ABV in the darker Blue Chimay ale than the other beers on this list, but it’s also more flavorful and less sweet.
Even though it is less sweet, the Blue Chimay beer has 270 calories in 1 bottle (12 oz) of the strong dark beer that is brewed by the Monks of Chimay.
Blue is dark (almost black) in color, with a roasted malt flavor complemented by fruity and hoppy notes. It has a strong roasted malt taste that is marked by a subtle bitterness and roasted flavor.
It’s made with a unique Chimay yeast strain that can only be found in the Abbaye de Scourmont, the brewery where it is produced.
The taste is strongly roasted and malty, with notes of fruit, caramel, and a sweet malt flavor. Blue is very creamy and thick in texture, with a medium carbonation that is very easy to drink.
Chimay blue grande reserve
The blue Grande Réserve is a darker, more flavorful take on the classic Blue. It is brewed with British hops and a French barley, and has a much higher alcohol content than the Blue.
This beer is aged in oak barrels to increase its flavor and alcohol content, which gives it a deeper, richer taste and a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. The Grande Réserve is brewed using a more complex recipe than the Blue.
It has a stronger roasted malt flavor, and a noticeable amount of fruit and hop aromatics. It has a stronger roasted malt taste, and a slightly lower sweetness than the Blue.
The beer has a creamy, rich mouthfeel that is created by the use of malted barley, wheat, and oats in the recipe. It is brewed with a higher hop content than the Blue, which gives it a fruity and hoppy taste.
Chimay White
This is one of the strongest beers on this list. The Trappist beer has an alcohol content of 8% ABV and a relatively high amount of calories per serving. Each 12 oz bottle of Chimay White has 220 calories.
The high alcohol content makes the White a great choice for sipping on its own, or pairing with rich desserts and creamy cheeses.
The White is brewed using a dark Belgian malt, which gives it a dark color and a deep, roasted malt flavor that is also present in the Blue. The White has a slightly higher hop content than the Blue, but a similar roasted malt taste.
It has a creamy, rich mouthfeel, with a smooth and easy drinking texture. The White has a richer flavor and higher alcohol content than the Blue. It has a noticeably darker color and is brewed with a higher hop content.
Chimay red beer
The Red beer is a dubbel-style ale that is typically very fruity and sweet in taste due to its high malt content.
It has been aged for about a year and is a perfect treat for any beer drinker, whether you’re new to the scene or a veteran connoisseur.
The ABV of this beer is 7% and the serving size is 1 bottle (12 oz). The Red beer has 212 calories per bottle.
The excellent brew is made by the Cistercian monks from the Abbey of Scourmont.
Other types of Chimay beer
The above examples represent the three main types of Chimay beer. There are also seasonal varieties that are released throughout the year. These may have different alcohol content and calories than the three types listed above.
Be sure to check the Chimay website for a full list of their current product offerings. Besides the classic Blue, Red, and White beers, Chimay also produces a range of specialty beers, including the following:
- Bière de Noël – The flavor of this holiday beer is a bit less roasted than the other classic Chimay beers.
- Traditions – This is a lighter beer with a lower alcohol content than Blue, Red, and White beer. It is also less roasted and hoppy than its big brothers.
Related: Delirium Tremens: The Belgian Beer with Pink Elephant Logo
How to Drink Belgian Beer: A General Guide
This section provides a general guide for how to drink Belgian beer, including the various types of Chimay beer.
As with most types of beer, Chimay is best enjoyed when served at a cold temperature. The Blue and Red beers should be refrigerated to reach the optimum drinking temperature.
The White beer should be served chilled, but not icy-cold, so it retains its full flavor profile. You can enjoy Chimay by itself, or pair it with food. The roasted flavor of the Blue makes it a great match for roasted meats, cheeses, and creamy desserts.
The fruity and sweet taste of the Red makes it a good pairing for desserts and spicy foods. And White beer is best enjoyed with rich desserts and creamy cheeses.
How to Drink Red Chimay Beer
You can enjoy the red fruity Chimay beer by gently swirling the beer in the glass to release its aroma before drinking. The beer goes perfectly with every Chimay cheese. To have the best experience as you take your red Chimay, you can follow the following tips:
- Pour a Chimay slowly into an appropriate goblet or tulip-shaped glass, being careful to leave the sediment in the bottle
- Hold the glass by its stem and slowly tilt it back until the glass is at a 45-degree angle.
- Drink Chimay Red beer slowly and with small sips. Do not gulp it.
How to Drink white Chimay Beer
Due to high carbonation and dry finish, you should serve the white Chimay beer chilled, but not fridge cold. This ensures that you can fully enjoy the taste of the creamy rich mouthfeel beer in your mouth and throat as it goes down your gut.
The high alcohol content makes the White a great choice for sipping on its own, or pairing with rich desserts and creamy cheeses.
The beer is excellent for all occasions but utmost care should be taken since it has a high alcohol content as compared to most other beers.
How to Drink Blue Chimay Beer
You can enjoy your Blue Chimay beer by sipping a glass of Chimay Bleue with a Roquefort cheese melted on toast. As you take it, you can use the following tips:
- Gently swirl the beer in the glass to release its aroma.
- Hold the glass by its stem and slowly tilt it back until the glass is at a 45-degree angle.
- Drink Chimay Blue beer slowly and with a small sip. Do not gulp it.
How long does Chimay beer last?
Since Chimay beer is a liquor, its shelf life depends on several factors such as the storage place, the conditions of storage, and the type of product. The abovementioned factors determine the time when beer should be consumed.
However, the general rule of thumb is that Chimay lasts long with the company giving 15 years as the shelf but I recommend up to 8 years since by then the beer is well matured.
The warmer the place, the shorter the beer will last. The cooler the place, the longer the beer will last. The type of beer also determines the time when it should be consumed.
The alcohol content of Chimay beer is between 6.5% and 8% ABV. It is recommended to drink the beer within 8 years of bottling. The ABV of Chimay beers ranges from approximately 6.5% – 9%.
You should store your Chimay in a dark and cool place. Avoid light, hot and humid areas
Is Chimay a good beer?
Chimay beer is a very good choice for those who love Belgian beer and are interested in trying out this particular style of brew. The Blue and Red are dark, malty, and fruity; with a creamy mouthfeel and a full flavor.
They are excellent for sipping on their own or pairing with food. The White is a strong, fruity beer with a creamy mouthfeel, a high alcohol content, and a deep roasted malt flavor.
It is best enjoyed on its own or with rich desserts and creamy cheeses.
ll of the Chimay beers are brewed using the finest ingredients and are produced in a very traditional, artisanal way at the Abbaye de Scourmont, located in Chimay, Belgium, where the monks of the Cistercian Order have been brewing beer since 1862.
For these reasons and others, Chimay beer is definitely a good choice if you’re in the market for a high-quality Belgian beer.
What is the strongest Chimay beer?
The Blue is the strongest variety of Chimay beer, and as such, it is the best option if you’re looking for a strong beer. It has a higher alcohol content than Red and White Chimay beers.
It is dark in color, has roasted malt, fruity, and hoppy flavor, and a creamy mouthfeel. The Blue is brewed with a unique Chimay yeast strain that can only be found in the Abbaye de Scourmont, where the beer is brewed.
This yeast strain gives the Blue a distinct flavor and makes it stronger than the other Chimay varieties. The Blue is a good choice if you like strong beer, and are looking for a darker, roasted flavor.
It is also a great choice if you like to sip on your beer, rather than drink it quickly. The Blue has a creamy texture, a higher alcohol content, and a deep roasted malt flavor that makes it a more indulgent beer.
How to Make Chimay beer clone
You can easily make the Chimay white, red or blue clone by following the steps below:
- First, get two clean and sanitized one gallon jars, a large pot, and yeast.
- Sanitize the jars by adding water and dishwashing liquid to them and letting them sit in a water bath. When they are clean, take them out and let them air dry.
- Next, take the pot and fill it with two gallons of water. Bring the water to a boil. Add the malt extract and stir it until it dissolves.
- Get a teaspoon and scoop the yeast into the water and stir. Cover the pot with a lid and let it sit for an hour.
- Take the pot off the stove and let it cool until you can touch the pot with your hands.
When the pot has cooled, take a strainer and strain the liquid into each jar. Take a clean spoon and skim off any solids from the top of the jars. Put the lids on the jars and let them sit for 12 hours.
Take the lids off the jars and add the fermented hops extract to each jar. Close the jars with the lids and keep them in a dark and cool place for another two weeks.
Conclusion
Chimay is a Belgian beer with deep roots and rich history. It is brewed by monks at the Abbaye de Scourmont monastery in Chimay, Belgium, and has been crafted with care and skill for more than 150 years.
There are three main varieties of Chimay beer: Blue, Red, and White. Each of these beers has a distinct flavor and is brewed using high-quality ingredients.
Choosing Chimay beer is a great way to enjoy a Belgian beer without having to travel to Belgium. Besides tasting great, Chimay beer has many other benefits.
It is made with high-quality ingredients, such as barley, hops, and wheat, and is low in calories. It has a low level of gluten and is suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.
Finally, Chimay beer is a great choice for those who like to sip their drink slowly, as it has a creamy texture and a deep roasted malt flavor that is best enjoyed slowly and deliberately.
My preference among Chimay Blue, Red, and White has evolved over time, and currently, my favorite is Chimay Blue. The Chimay Blue, or Chimay Grande Réserve, stands out for its rich and complex flavor profile with notes of dark fruit, caramel, and a warming alcohol presence. The depth of its taste and the well-balanced combination of malt sweetness and a hint of bitterness make it a truly indulgent experience. While the Red and White versions are also excellent, I find the depth and intensity of the Chimay Blue particularly captivating. However, personal preferences in beer can vary, and each of the Chimay brews has its own distinctive characteristics. Have you explored these Chimay varieties, and if so, do you have a personal favorite among the Blue, Red, and White?