Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

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GuingesRock
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Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

Post by GuingesRock » Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:42 pm

I cheated a bit on this. I am studying for my Cicerone Beer servers exam. It cost $199 for the exam and the online course and I’m loving it. I’m learning all the styles.

I didn’t like this beer when I first tasted it, but now I’m loving it.

It’s brewed within monastery walls in Belgium. There are only 7 monestaries that can use the designation of Trappist Ale and this is one of them. Profits raised go to charity.

It’s an ale, and the yeast gives a high level of esters …plum, pear and raison flavours and a “light black pepper or white pepper spiciness.” I agree totally with all that.

It’s a classic example of a Belgian dark strong ale.

Low perceived bitterness. Colour …amber to dark brown.

9% ABV.

It’s the dark beer on the left in the outdoor tasting session.

I’d buy this one again.

:cheers2:

ps. Post comments on this beer please or do a full Sandy Style Review using the following template:

Aroma (as appropriate for style) Points out of 12 =
Comment on malt, hops, esters, and other aromatics.


Appearance (as appropriate for style) Points out of 3 =
Comment on color, clarity, and head (retention, color, and texture).


Flavor (as appropriate for style) Points out of 20 =
Comment on malt, hops, fermentation characteristics, balance, finish/aftertaste, and other flavor characteristics.



Mouthfeel (as appropriate for style) Points out of 5 =
Comment on body, carbonation, warmth, creaminess, astringency, and other palate sensations.



Overall Impression Points out of 10 =
Comment on overall drinking pleasure associated with entry, give suggestions for improvement.



Total points out of 50 =


Food Pairing Suggestion:
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Last edited by GuingesRock on Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:50 am, edited 3 times in total.
-Mark
2nd place, Canadian Brewer of the Year, 2015
101 awards won for beers designed and brewed.
Cicerone Program - Certified Beer Server

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LiverDance
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Re: Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

Post by LiverDance » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:28 pm

No sure if it's part of your studies or not but I believe there are 10 trappist breweries. Nice to see your enjoying the program, i've got a friend in calgary that's doing it as well I believe.

http://www.stpeterslist.com/197/the-7-a ... onk-beers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"Twenty years ago — a time, by the way, that hops such as Simcoe and Citra were already being developed, but weren’t about to find immediate popularity — there wasn’t a brewer on earth who would have gone to the annual Hop Growers of American convention and said, “I’m going to have a beer that we make 4,000 barrels of, one time a year. It flies off the shelf at damn near $20 a six-pack, and you know what it smells like? It smells like your cat ate your weed and then pissed in the Christmas tree.” - Bell’s Brewery Director of Operations John Mallet on the scent of their popular Hopslam.

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PEIBeerGuy
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Re: Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

Post by PEIBeerGuy » Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:57 pm

I knew there were nine with that one in MA - didn't know another one nearby was starting, too!
I saw this wino, he was eating grapes. I was like, "Dude, you have to WAIT!" - Mitch Hedberg

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GAM
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Re: Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

Post by GAM » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:31 am

10/20 for flavour? 5/10 over all.

I havent had Chimay blue in a while but I realy love that beer.

I like after a snow shovel though. It may not be a Pool Side beer.

Great to see your work Mark. I have one in the cellar and it will go on the table the next tasting.

Sandy

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GuingesRock
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Re: Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

Post by GuingesRock » Fri Jul 11, 2014 8:36 am

Edited that Sandy. Those were my Rickards Red scores. I didn't score this one.
-Mark
2nd place, Canadian Brewer of the Year, 2015
101 awards won for beers designed and brewed.
Cicerone Program - Certified Beer Server

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GAM
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Re: Beer Tasting – Chimay Grand Reserve (Trappist Ale)

Post by GAM » Fri Jul 11, 2014 2:03 pm

That maked sense.

Did you post that in the RR post?

Sandy

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