[markaberrant]

I like Chimay well enough, but it is probably my least favorite of all the Trappists

Fully agreed.  I just don't get Chimay, even the aged Blue doesn't do it for me.  I do like their cheese though, but hoo-wee does it get rank if aged too long. 

[majorvices]

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.

I have seen that with Achell but never Westmalle. Guess I've been lucky with buying relatively fresh bottles.

FTR I'll take an Orvall any day of the week over all of 'em. 

[punatic]

Just picked up a bottle of Cinq Cents to celebrate Election Day!

[redbeerman]

The liquor store I go to turns over Belgians pretty often, so that it's fresh.  I've never had a bad one yet.  That being said, I enjoy dubbels, but they are not my favorite style,  I prefer their stronger counterparts for the darker styles.

[euge]

Getting a bit colder. It was  $1.75 off on the Chimay Red 75cl tonight so bought two and chilled at the same time. Inspected the differing translucencies of the glass. First cork says 3/10- eight month. Tastes like a Premiere...

The brewery must have a wide latitude. Why?

The second bottle...

I'm reading the back. Blah Blah Blah... never pasteurized... serve slightly chilled...? So I'm doing a web search. Eddie murphy Raw is is on.

All relaxed after the first bottle I have the 2nd bottle on the table twisting the tab and BORP! the cork and cage fly off the bottle! This beer measured below 50F. Optimal.

Why does this cork just only say 2010? The cork ripped out of my hand. Awake now. The beer is fiercely carbonated. Almost harshly so. I like it better.

Hey, it's the same beer.

Makes me a little more confident as a brewer. 

[majorvices]

Makes me a little more confident as a brewer. 

Start shipping your bottles across the ocean, then shipped in refrigerated, or perhaps just as often unrefrigerated trucks, and the let them sit on the store shelves for several months and see if you are still as confident. 

[phillamb168]

Makes me a little more confident as a brewer. 

Start shipping your bottles across the ocean, then shipped in refrigerated, or perhaps just as often unrefrigerated trucks, and the let them sit on the store shelves for several months and see if you are still as confident. 

You know, you bring up a good point. I haven't tried Chimay since I moved to Europe, I guess it's gotta be better than what I found in the states. IIRC it had just a really harsh flavor and I couldn't see why people liked it so much. Time to give it another shot.

[ryang]

You know, you bring up a good point. I haven't tried Chimay since I moved to Europe, I guess it's gotta be better than what I found in the states. IIRC it had just a really harsh flavor and I couldn't see why people liked it so much. Time to give it another shot.

It's much better in Europe from our experience.  Plus it's much cheaper and the little 375ml bottles are everywhere.  When my wife and I were living in Paris for a while, we drank quite a bit of chimay.  Good stuff.  I don't think I've had it since we got back home (about 2 years)