Chimay Triple or Cinq Cents (Blanche/White) Ale

Product of: Belgium

See more Tripel abbey-style ales

Chimay Triple is sometimes also known as Blanche/White, despite its label actually being more a mustard yellow. To further confuse, the 75cl bottle is known as 'Cinq Cents'. The most recently released of Chimay’s 3 styles of beer and the most hopped and driest (the others being 'blue' and 'red').

The Cistercian Trappist monk fraternity of Chimay have been making beer since 1862, and while they now use modern technology, having renovated their brewery in 1989, it only operates from 7am to 4pm out of respect for the schedules of monastic life. Nonetheless, the boys produce two batches of 250 hectolitres every day. Praise be.

Review and Tasting

Sampled on 29/09/2011

Appearance:

Slightly cloudy, orange amber with generous snowy white head.

Aroma:

Appealing, lightly spiced yeasty with thyme and lemongrass.

Taste:

Full-bodied bitter-sweet with pronounced bitter hops, flavoursome malt and citrus led fruitiness with burnt raisin (think fruit cake crust) notes.

Aftertaste:

Zingy, bitter pine finish with lasting citrus sourness.