Chimay, the Leading Trappist Beer is arriving in Charleston on November 16th
I just received an email from Capitol Beverage Craft Brands Manager Joey Campbell informing me that Chimay beers will arrive in Charleston on Monday. This is somewhat of a milestone, a kind of signal to Charleston that “We Have Arrived”.
Chimay is a traditional line of Trappist ales brewed at the Abbey of Notre-Dame de Scourmont in Belgium. The abbey is also well-known for fine artisanal Chimay branded cheese. Chimay is the leading brand of Trappist brew, which is more widely exported and distributed than the six other trappist producers of the World. The beer’s ubiquity often reflects negatively on the brand, but the beers are in-fact solid, and are good examples of fine Trappist ales. The majority of Chimay beers are sold in a corked 750ml bottle, which usually translates to a good value per ounce when compared to other Trappist beers sold in 33cl bottles; though Chimay beers are also available in the 33cl size in many markets.
Chimay produces four beers (one is only locally available) but exports three unique brews that are named for the color of their respective labels. The flagship beer would have to be the Chimay Red (rouge) a Trappist Dubbel style beer. The 7% abv beer is dark brown with an aroma of pear and dried prunes. Next is Chimay Blue (Bleue), a trappist strong –dark ale with layers of fruity complexity and a warming 9% abv. On the lighter (in color only) side is Chimay white (Blanche), an 8% abv Trappist style tripel ale. This beer pours a beautiful deep-yellow with a tight laced white head and a wonderful peppery aroma. This beer will finish very crisp and leave a balanced bitterness. Yum…
I’ll see you in the beer aisle on Monday!
November 11th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Red was a go-to beer of mine back in the old Austin days but today I lean towards Blue.
White…enh.
But this is being written under the influence of several Stevens Point brews - Whole Hog Imperial Pilsner and Point Lager, specifically - now available at W&C. Perhaps, once sober, I’ll revisit/reevaluate my scorn for White.
November 12th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Checking the ABCA Portal, the new brewery registering for sale is Breckenridge out of Colorado.
So, what’s the lag time between a release in Charleston and Morgantown?
November 12th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Thanks for the info Bill… Breckenridge seems to be hit or miss, but we are always glad to have a new beer in WV. As for Chimay making it Morgantown, it’s up to your beer distibutor. The beer is approved for sale and all they have to do is sign a contract with Chimay’s US importer who is based in Austin, TX.
November 12th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Does Chimay market the “White” to be the best of the three ? It seems that I had once heard that, but in my experience most people like the “Blue” the best. Also what does “cinq cents” mean ?
November 12th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I would say that the Blue is the top of the line, though the white is probably my favorite. Cinq Cents is 500… Why is the beer labeled this? I don’t know.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Re: Breckenridge:
471 IPA is a good beer. Heavy IPA, similar to Sierra Nevada Celebration, but less polished.
Vanilla Porter is … well, women like it a lot.
Seems they’ve an Imperial Oatmeal Stout that’s good too, but I could be conflating Hoppin’ Frog’s B.O.R.I.S. Still, I recall getting one at Leo’s a year or so ago.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Not only are we supposed to get Chimay in (I’m hoping that the trappest dubble is available here), the Liquor Store on Patrick is supposed have both Chimay and Flying Dog within the next week or so.
Another poster mentioned the Stevens Point beer. Wasn’t impressed with the Christmas Ale but hope the rest of the offerings are better.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
And Wheeling still lags waaaaaaaaaay behind the new release curve. At least I’m not that far from Pittsburgh….
November 14th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Could someone advise me on where to find the info about new brewers on the ABCA website. The only thing I can find is how to prepare for the flu?!?!?!
November 14th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
the deal with the point winter ale is the brewmaster for point’s favorite brew is chimay. it is his take on chimay and yes the rest of the brews are very solid and i like them a lot. flying dog should be available by the second week in dec. if you haven’t tried the sierra nevada harvest wet hop ale and sam smith’s yorkshire stingo are very very good and both are available at the liquor company. you can find the list on the website www.wvcbas.com the site is pretty new but has some good stuff going on. and its just a guess but i think the cinq like rich said is 500 and might be 500ml bottle
November 14th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Matt, the bottle is 750ml…
November 15th, 2009 at 6:21 am
I tried the red first and really enjoyed it. I was then introduced to the blue and it was such an enjoyable experience that my wife decided she wanted a taste. I ended up getting a 750ml bottle and we split it. Nice to know I can pick it up without driving all the way to Leo’s. I did try the white on tap in a D.C. Belgian beer bar and it was quite nice but I’m still going blue (especially with holiday dinners).
November 15th, 2009 at 9:18 am
@Matt
I don’t have a list of available products for the Liquor Co. up on WVCBAS.com yet. I haven’t received it from you guys.
Shoot me an email and I will send you the template for you to fill out so I can post it on the site.
Travis
November 15th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
bad guess on my part. and travis i am on the list no prob.
November 16th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
MichaelM said we should be getting Flying Dog soon. I had heard from the Capital Beverage distributor that Proud Eagle got the distribution contract to Flying Dog and didn’t have any intention of acting on it. They mainly just want to keep anyone else from doing it. Bless those tiers.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
chimay chimay chimay. its in house at the liquor company. red, white, blue 750ml bottles and red, white, blue 4pks. ALSO we have a sampler pack that includes one red, one white, one blue pint and a chimay glass to go with. very awesome because chimay is awesome
November 17th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Allright! I like the sampler pack idea! Good luck!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Chimay Red in the little bottle is really good. On tap and from the big bottle, it’s too clovey.
The Blue is sort of okay, but nothing special.
The White, like all trippels, sucks balls.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
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November 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Still no Chimay of any kind in the
Wheeling area, but Great Lakes
Christmas Ale & Harpoon Leviathan
have arrived, thank goodness…
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:45 pm
Chimay finally arrived in Wheeling this week,
the large bottles @ Smoker Friendly on Wheeling Island, and small 4 packs @ Casa De Vino in Center Wheeling.
December 28th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
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