[SiameseMoose]

I think the Chimay beers seem particularly sensitive to handling and storage issues. Some of the most disappointing bottles I've ever opened were Chimay, especially the Red.

We had the good fortune to visit the cafe at Chimay last year. All of the beers were phenomenal! Plus, the Blue they served us was properly matured (about 6 months old). We also visited In De Vrede, the cafe for Westvleteren, and their beers were so fresh that they were a major disappointment. No real character at all. None were more than a few weeks since bottling.

I also learned that Cinq Cents (White) is different in kegs vs bottles. The kegged beers have additional dry hops, although it's unclear whether there were dry hops still in the keg. I had one at a beer dinner in Antwerp that just blew me away! It had just as much hop flavor and aroma as many of the newer Belgian-American IPAs have. That was also where we learned about the additional hopping for the kegged beer.

[euge]

I would love to have the nectar at the source.

Bought 3 Red and 3 of the White. My sinuses are behaving today so I resumed the taste test this afternoon.

As far as quality issues check this out:



I still bought it so a photo could be made. And the lighter one tasted better but basically the same beer.

[punatic]

It's hard to say for sure from the photo, but the bottle on the left looks like it's made with darker glass.  Look at the glass in the space above the beer.

[capozzoli]

could be the condensation is making it look darker.

Their portion control is off too. One bottle has a little less. Unless it was opened.

Oh wait, I thought they were red and white side by side.

[euge]

It's hard to say for sure from the photo, but the bottle on the left looks like it's made with darker glass.  Look at the glass in the space above the beer.

Snap!

Thanks! I check and it is indeed different glass. I'm kicking myself since spotting that sort thing of is my actual job. 

So "perception" may be a bit skewed here. I'm doubting myself. I know! More experimentation is in order...

[punatic]

It was on my mind because recently I split a 15 gallon batch of mead imto three different 5 gallon carboys, the only difference being the yeast.  I was amazed that different yeast could make one batch so much darker than the others.  Then I realized that the darker batch was in a green glass carboy, while the lighter two were in clear glass carboys...    DOH!

BTW, I really enjoyed your performance in The Magnificent Seven

[dannyjed]

I was alsways under the impression that Chimay's yeast strain was different from Wyeast 1214.  I've used 1214 twice and I wasn't too fond of it, but maybe it was my fermenting temp. 

[gordonstrong]

I was alsways under the impression that Chimay's yeast strain was different from Wyeast 1214.  I've used 1214 twice and I wasn't too fond of it, but maybe it was my fermenting temp. 

Probably. Go cold. Low 60s. Too warm and it tastes like bananas and nail polish remover.

[majorvices]

I was alsways under the impression that Chimay's yeast strain was different from Wyeast 1214.  I've used 1214 twice and I wasn't too fond of it, but maybe it was my fermenting temp. 

Probably. Go cold. Low 60s. Too warm and it tastes like bananas and nail polish remover.

+1. I start it off at about 64 and hold it for a few days finishing it off at around 68.

[punatic]

Too warm and it tastes like bananas and nail polish remover.

Dang!  That's not a good thing?  I like bananas and nail polish remover...

[corkybstewart]

I'm drinking a delicious bottle of the Blue right now.  I love the Red but the grocery store quit carrying it.  In fact this is the first Chimay I've seen there in months.  I've never had a bad bottle, either here or in Europe.

[majorvices]

I like Chimay well enough, but it is probably my least favorite of all the Trappists - and by far the most commercialized.

[bluesman]

I prefer the Westmalle Dubbel over Chimay's.

[gordonstrong]

I prefer the Westmalle Dubbel over Chimay's.

+1.  If it hasn't been mishandled.  When I buy Westmalle, I hold the bottle up to light and see if I can see a lot of 'floaties'.  Not the normal bottle-condition stuff, more like larger individual flakes floating throughout the bottle.  If those are there, there is a good chance the bottle is oxidized and the flavor profile is off.  I'm not sure what they are or how they are formed, but I've seen a correlation between their presence and the condition of the final beer. YMMV.

[bluesman]

I prefer the Westmalle Dubbel over Chimay's.

+1.  If it hasn't been mishandled.  When I buy Westmalle, I hold the bottle up to light and see if I can see a lot of 'floaties'.  Not the normal bottle-condition stuff, more like larger individual flakes floating throughout the bottle.  If those are there, there is a good chance the bottle is oxidized and the flavor profile is off.  I'm not sure what they are or how they are formed, but I've seen a correlation between their presence and the condition of the final beer. YMMV.

This is good to know. I'll have to remember to do that the next time I buy some.