Start 14-Day Trial Subscription
*No credit card required
Taste of Belgium Brings Complete Legendary Chimay Beer Lineup to the US
Chimay Brewery (Brasserie de Chimay), the distinguished, historic brewery located at Scourmont Abbey in Belgium, has been producing authentic Trappist beer since 1862. Brewed using water drawn from the Abbey’s wells, the legendary Chimay ales are beloved in Belgium but the complete lineup has not been consistently available in the United States—until now. For the first time, all five of Chimay’s iconic ales are on permanent tap at Cincinnati-based Taste of Belgium, the only U.S. establishment outside of Belgium where beer enthusiasts can consistently enjoy this complete selection.
Belgian beers are a passion for Taste of Belgium founder Jean-François Flechet, a native of Belgium, who received an honorary knighthood from the Belgian Brewers’ Paddle for his dedication to promoting Belgian beer and culture in the U.S. “Stopping by a local brasserie to enjoy these Trappist ales is a central part of daily life for many in Belgium,” said Flechet. “I wanted to give American beer enthusiasts the opportunity to share this unique Belgian beer experience. Being able to sample all five Chimay ales in a single sitting outside of Belgium provides our guests with a rare treat.”
Chimay is one of only thirteen breweries in the world that produce authentic Trappist beer at an abbey supervised by the Abbey’s monks. Taste of Belgium offers all five Chimay ales:
Chimay Première (Red) 7% ABV (alcohol by volume)
Chimay Première was the first ale to be sold by the Trappist monks in 1862, and is known for its dark copper color, rich creamy foam and nutritious quality. With a distinct apricot aroma, it has a pleasantly light and silky mouthfeel finished with a touch of bitterness.
Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) 9% ABV (alcohol by volume)
The strongest of the Chimay beers and originally brewed to celebrate Christmas in 1948, Grande Réserve has a strong presence of dried dark fruit notes and carries a warming alcohol finish.
Chimay Cinq Cents (White) 8% ABV (alcohol by volume)
With a typical golden color, and a slightly hazy appearance, this beer is topped with a fine foam which releases a bouquet of fruity esters and floral-hop aromas. Mellow flavors of muscat, golden raisins and fresh bread are perfectly balanced by the distinct hoppy bitterness.
Chimay Dorée (Gold) 4.8% ABV (alcohol by volume)
With refreshing aromas of hops and spices, Dorée was originally reserved for the monastic community and its guests and staff. It was released to the public after a growing demand to know what the monks themselves drank.
Chimay Cent Cinquante (Green) 10% ABV (alcohol by volume)
A special edition beer recently released to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Abbey, Cent Cinquante is a strong, sophisticated, and refreshing blond ale, with a balanced flavor and a floral fragrance, combined with hints of dried fruit and spices.
Chimay ales have received multiple honors in the prestigious Brussels Beer Challenge, including a 2023 Bronze Medal, awarded to Chimay Dorée. In 2019, Chimay Grande Réserve was awarded the title Grand Revelation; this was the first time a Trappist beer had won first prize in the competition, which evaluates beers from around the world.
Known locally for its dedication to Belgian beers, Taste of Belgium has one of the largest selections of beer on tap in the Cincinnati area, with between 24 and 54 draft beers at each of its seven bistros. Three Taste of Belgium bistros will be offering the opportunity to sample a flight of Chimay Première, Grande Réserve, Cinq Cents and Dorée through July 21, Belgian National Day. All seven Taste of Belgium bistros carry Chimay Cinq Cents.
