Barrel-Aged Chimay Grande Reserve

In 1862, The Chimay monastery opened a brewery and, with the help of the monks at Westvleteren, began making top-fermented ales. The beer grew in popularity, largely because of their high-quality ingredients and natural well water from the Abbey grounds. Unfortunately, the copper in the brewery was looted by the Germans in WWI and the brewery was completely destroyed during WWII. The persistent monks rebuilt, though, developed a unique yeast strain, and kicked off a lasting era of prosperity for Chimay, which is now the largest Trappist brewery in Belgium

Barrel-Aging Chimay Blue

Perhaps the most interesting new development at Chimay is its line of barrel-aged beers known as Chimay Grande Réserve Vielle en Barriques. These beers are triple-fermented special bottlings of a stronger version (10.5% ABV) of Chimay’s blue-label Grande Reserve. The type of barrel used to age it changes each year. For its first release in 2015, 65% French oak and 35% American oak barrels were used. In 2016, Cognac barrels with chestnut and oak staves were used. In 2017, it was rum barrels. In 2018, whiskey barrels from the Belgian Owl distillery were used. For the 2019 release, a mix of 60% French oak and 40% American Oak barrels were used. The 2020 was aged in Armagnac casks and for 2021 another type of rum barrel was used. 2022 featured barrels used to age Gouden Carolus Single Malt Whiskey, and for 2023, Calvados (French apple brandy) barrels were employed to age this amazing beer. In recent years, Chimay has also released barrel-aged versions of their Premiére Dubbel (8.0% ABV).

If you are looking for an exceptional gift for a beer-loving friend, seek out the Grande Reserve Barrique beers at your local liquor store, or order it online. It will surely be a hit.

Other Chimay Beers

Chimay’s other beers include their first signature beer, introduced in 1948 for the Easter holidays - Chimay Premiére (Red Label), a 7.0% Dubbel. The very same recipe is still used to this day. The Premiere was followed in 1956 by Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue Label) a 9.0% Quadrupel that was initially a Christmas beer and later went into year-round production. In 1966, Chimay Cinq Cents (White Label), an 8.0% Tripel, completed the trilogy. Cinq Cents means “500” and was created to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Principality of Chimay. Chimay also makes a 4.8% monk’s beer, which is now bottled and sold outside the monastery as Doree (Chimay Gold). To commemorate the brewery’s 150th anniversary, a 10% Blond Ale called Chimay 150 was released and is now in regular production.

While all of Chimay’s beers are exceptional, the Grande Réserve Vielle en Barriques is next-level.

Santé!