Bières de Chimay
Bières de Chimay brews Trappist beer at the abbey of Scourmont near Chimay in Wallonia, Belgium. The monks started brewing in 1862 and still use the recipe from that time for their classics. They are known for Red, Blue and White, beers that undergo bottle conditioning.
- LocationChimay, Région Wallonne
- Founded1862
- TypeRegional brewery
- Untappd 3.8 · 1.4M ratings
- At Hoptimaal3 in stock · 6 in total
In stock now 3
Previously at Hoptimaal 3
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A Trappist brewery on the Scourmont plateau
In 1850, monks from the Sint-Sixtus Abbey of Westvleteren moved to the Scourmont plateau near Chimay. A few years earlier, in 1844, the priest Jean-Baptiste Jourdain had convinced the prince of Chimay to support a Cistercian abbey, so that the Rièzes could be reclaimed. The monks made the land fertile and lived off butter, rapeseed oil, dairy and bread. The cheese came later: Brother Benoît learned to make it in 1876.
In 1862 they started brewing. Since 1948 the brewery no longer leaves the abbey walls, and brewing still takes place under the supervision of the monks. At more than 123,000 hectolitres a year, it is the largest Trappist brewery in Belgium. As with all Trappists, most of the proceeds go to the abbey and to charity.
Bottle conditioning and a yeast from 1948
Chimay brews top-fermented beers that undergo bottle conditioning. According to the brewery, the recipe is still the same as that of 1862. The yeast was isolated by Father Theodore in 1948 and has not changed since.
The range began in 1948 with Chimay Première (Red), a dubbel of 7%. In 1956 came Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) of 9%, which was originally a Christmas beer. Chimay Cinq Cents (White) is a tripel of 8%. Chimay Dorée (Gold) is the monks' beer of 4.8%, and Chimay 150 is a blond of 10%, released for the 150th anniversary. Chimay also makes a barrel aged version of the Grande Réserve of 10.5%. The type of barrel changes from year to year, and the 2026 edition matured on bourbon barrels.
Chimay at Hoptimaal
At Hoptimaal you will find Chimay in 33 cl, in the styles blond, dubbel and tripel, with a strength of 4.8 to 10%. Chimay Grande Réserve, Chimay 150 and Chimay Première are rated highest on Untappd. What exactly is in stock changes, so check the current selection in the webshop.
Pour the blonder beers, such as Dorée and Cinq Cents, a little cooler, and give Première and Grande Réserve a bit more temperature, so the fruity and caramel notes come through. According to the sources, the Grande Réserve can mature for decades under good conditions. If you want to keep a bottle like that, store it cool and dark.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Bières de Chimay come from?
Bières de Chimay comes from the Trappist abbey of Scourmont in Forges near Chimay, in the Belgian province of Hainaut. The brewery was founded within the abbey in 1862.
What kind of beer does Bières de Chimay make?
Chimay makes top-fermented Trappist beers that undergo bottle conditioning. The best known are Première (Red, dubbel of 7%), Grande Réserve (Blue, 9%) and Cinq Cents (White, tripel of 8%). There is also Dorée of 4.8%, Chimay 150 of 10% and a barrel aged Grande Réserve.
Can you store Chimay Grande Réserve?
Yes. According to the sources, the Grande Réserve can mature for decades under the right conditions. Store the bottle cool and dark and do not serve it ice cold.
