Chimay Premiere (Red)

So, last night I decided to splurge and purchase a bottle of Chimay Premiere. It's a Belgian Trappist Ale. It cost me $11.00 for a 25.4 oz bottle... which seemed a bit ridiculous, but a friend of mine has really talked this beer up... so I gave it a shot. It really was hands down the best beer I have had... although I'll admit that even though I have sampled quite a variety I know there is still a very long list of beers I have yet to have as well.

Anyway, I wondered what others thought of this beer. I took a picture of it to cherish/remember my first Chimay consumption.

There was a liquour store in Aberdeen, MD that I used to go to whenever I was in that neighborhood just to buy their Chimay. Back then it was $8/bottle. I used to get the red, blue and gold labels. Great beers one and all.

If you haven't yet, try Westmalle's tripel. It's fun to splurge.

Try the Chimay Grand Reserve or the Orval

I haven't found an offering from Chimay that I didn't like. The Grand Reserve is awesome!

I have to say I like the Grand reserve a lot better, but the red is good. I still have yet to try the white label one.

Another vote for the Grand Reserve. I love Chimay.

Think of it this way: if you were a wine drinker, you'd probably describe a good-tasting bottle (same size as the Chimay) that costs $11.00 as a "bargain wine."

I have only tried the Blue. I liked it very much but it gave both SWMBO and I a headache.

Some breweries to try:

Ommegang
Unibroue

You should be able to get large bottles of their offerings for several dollars less than the ones from Belgium.

cweston said:

Think of it this way: if you were a wine drinker, you'd probably describe a good-tasting bottle (same size as the Chimay) that costs $11.00 as a "bargain wine."

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I used that same rationale to talk myself into spending $17 bucks on a bottle of Fantome this past weekend because I have wanted to try some of their product for a while. :fro:

If I ever get my hands on a bottle of Rochefort X, that is exactly the logic I intend to use. I just can't seem to find it anywhere! I've even gone to two restaurants that had it on the menu and both of them were out of it!

Rochefort is a little hard to come by lately. The Importer ran out and as far as I know hasn't gotten any more yet.

The 10 is great but I find the 8 to be just as flavorful and more drinkable. Either way I suggest getting any trappists you can. They are all good and in my mind all are better than Chimay, and thats saying something. Orval is a little odd if you haven't had any beer with brett in it but is spectacular if you give it a chance.

I bought up all the Rochefort i could, heard a rummer that they are not going to import to Texas any more. I love that stuff. The flavor is amazing.

Is that a texas only rumor or a US-wide action? And, WHY?