Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue)
Served from a 750ml bottle into a St. Bernardus chalice. A: Pours a deep, amber-burgundy color; fairly thin but creamy off-white head; fairly opaque, with just the slightest hint of amber highlights along the edges of the glass when held to light. S: Fairly sweet aroma from this beer - cloves are very prominent in the nose along with a caramel, dextrin sweetness. There is that familiar Belgian spiciness from the yeast - fruit esters, tangy, spicy, delicious. Maltiness is in the back nose, but what you get is a fresh biscuit aroma and a faint bit of whole-grain wheat. T: Fruity sweetness, maybe a bit of pear, apple, or the slightest hint of citrus fruits. Spicy, tangy clove flavor that closely follows the sweetness. Mid sip, the malt background starts coming forth with a musty whole-grain wheat and fresh biscuit flavor. Finish is slightly drying, with the malt background sticking around with a nutty, slightly buttery finish. M: Decent carbonation produces a crisp, tingly feel on the tongue; slightly powdery on the finsh. D: Good drinkability for 9% ABV Strong Dark Ale. I am splitting this bottle with a fraternity brother and it's going down so smoothly that I can probably go for another glass. One 750 on my own though, and I would be good to go for the night. A good BSDA, and one that lives up to the hype in my honest opinion. Strong flavors, complex and quite delicious. Recommended