Belgian Ale • 4.8 % ABV • Baileux, Belgium
Opting for something a little traditional this evening, I’ve decided take a gander at Chimay Brewery who were founded nearly 152 years ago back in September 1862.
Based in Scourmont Abbey in Belgium, they are one of eleven breweries in the world that produce Trappist beer which is sold only for financial support of the monastery and for other good causes.
Water for the beer itself comes from a well within the monastery walls and the leftover grains are used as livestock feed for the same cows that produce milk for Chimay Cheeses too.
Chimay Gold (Dorée) is the beer of choice this evening where historically it was unusual for bottles to be sold outside of the Abbey or nearby Inns. Thankfully in 2013, Chimay beers were market for the first time and available to limited sources outside of Belgium.
Gold is described as being mild and light, offering floral aromas and a hint of smoked malt along with a touch of bitterness.
With a pale gold colour and a touch of haze, the glass topped up with a large white topper which eventually settled down leaving a fine bubbly layer on the top.
The aroma is initially made up of yeast esters but with a little agitation a sweetness similar to fondant candy and touch of apricot are brought to the surface.
That traditional Belgian aroma with something extra.
Although light in flavour, the mixture of sweet yet biscuity malt and spice come together to the likeness of ginger-nut biscuit which leads to a gentle bitterness. A warming sensation ends the experience on the way down.
Along with plenty of carbonation, Dorée is an easy going, crisp and refreshing number that thanks to its accessibility needs more taste time!
If you have had an opportunity to try a bottle, then tweet #biertaster and let me know what you thought of Dorée.
Hop Pilot 