Chimay Bleue, the great dark beer of Scourmont
At Scourmont, a characterful Trappist beer whose chocolate, fruit and spice notes tell a story that began around a Christmas beer.
An abbey, a region, a beer
In southern Hainaut, Chimay Bleue deserves an unhurried approach. This strong dark beer at 9% ABV belongs to the landscape of Scourmont as much as to Belgian beer culture. What I like about its story is the tangible connection between a community, its work and a region. Settling on the plateau in 1850, the monks developed a brewing activity whose first beer was produced in 1862. The products are made under their supervision, and most income supports social projects, according to the criteria presented by Chimay. Discover this Trappist heritage.
How this great dark beer is made
Brewing still takes place at Scourmont Abbey. Malt is crushed and mixed with water; sugars pass into the wort, which is then separated from the solids. Boiling, hopping, cooling and the work of yeast follow. Fermentation transforms the sugars and builds part of the beer's aromatic personality. After conditioning, a further addition of yeast and sugar prepares refermentation. The beer then moves to the Baileux bottling site near the abbey. This final bottle fermentation produces carbonation, among other effects. Patience is therefore part of the recipe as much as precision at each stage. See the production process.
On the nose, palate and finish
The producer's description offers useful pointers: a fruity and chocolatey character, a lightly sweet opening, then caramel and mocha lifted by spices. The finish evokes candied fruit and sustains a chocolate impression. These notes invite you to compare your own sensations, since bottle age and serving conditions influence what the glass reveals. Chimay recommends 10 to 12°C, a temperature that gives nuances more room than an ice-cold serving. Consult the Bleue description.
A Christmas story and a bottle cap
The official timeline supplies a lovely detail: Father Théodore began trials with a new yeast in 1948; a Spéciale Noël was sold for the festive season in 1954; in 1956, the blue cap became a year-round reference. A festive beer thus found a place throughout the seasons. The name Grande Réserve also identifies Bleue in a 75cl bottle, with its capacity to develop through ageing.
Returning to its birthplace
In Forges, Scourmont's gardens and church offer a chance to discover the monastic setting. The brewery itself is not open for visits. To understand production and extend the stop through beers and cheeses, Espace Chimay offers Chimay Expérience and the Auberge de Poteaupré. I find that combination particularly appropriate: one place for contemplation, another for food and drink discovery. Plan your visit using the official visitor page.
Photos and credits
Photo 1 — Aerial view of Notre-Dame de Scourmont Abbey, photographed in 2013. Lionel Bartel (Herissonf) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
Photo 2 — Grounds of Scourmont Abbey, photographed in 2017. Cinoworus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source.
Photo 3 — Garden and left wing of the abbey church at Scourmont in Forges, in 2005. Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source.
For adults only. Enjoy in moderation.
