Game Day Beer Review: Bieres de Chimay Speciale Cent Cinquante Tripel Ale

(10.00% ABV) Brewed to honor the 150th Anniversary of the world famous Chimay abbey and brewery, Cent Cinquante poured a pale yellow at the bottom and darker gold color on top. Absolutely alive with carbonation, the beer had a massive white head which would not recede.

Upon pouring, the yeast was noticeable from across the room. The beer had a slight barnyard straw smell, backed by a citrusy lemon and orange zest.

Cent Cinquante yielded a rich, yeasty taste, and it was oh, so smooth. The beer was crisp and clean, and offered tart apple flavors. The booze was quite well hidden for such a high ABV beer.

We'll gladly wait another 150 years for another beer from a brewery that's this good. Buy it if you can find it: A

Game Day Beer Review: Bieres de Chimay Cinq Cents (White) Tripel Ale

(8.00% ABV)  Chimay Cinq Cents was poured into a chalice from a 750 ml bottle, and makes its first appearance into the world colored a hazy, golden orange. The ultra-white head lingers lovingly, not in any hurry to disappear, unlike so many of its brethren. This thing could have easily lasted 10 minute or more -- but I'll never know because I needed to dive in for a taste well before then.... The beer smells beautifully of oranges and yeast, reminiscent of a Belgian white.

Cinq Cents is crisp, with just the right amount of carbonation, creating an ultra-luxurious mouthfeel  This is definitely a serious beer, but it's also very drinkable -- it strikes just the right balance.

It tastes of yeast, bread, and hops offset by a subtle fruity sweetness. I love it -- if it weren't for the ABV level this would easily be a favorite session beer. A-

Game Day Beer Review: Bieres de Chimay Premiere (Red) Dubbel

(7.00% ABV).  Stylishly served in a Chimay goblet at Saia, on the beach in Fort Lauderdale. Chimay Red pours a hazy gold with a thinnish head that's white and thick as shaving cream. Premiere smells of malt. On tasting, the beer has a malty, bananas, bready sweetness, with a warm syrupy aftertaste. It's pure class. A

Game Day Beer Review: Bieres de Chimay Grand Reserve (Blue) Belgian Strong Dark Ale

(9.0% ABV). Poured from a 750 ML bottle into a chalis, Chimay Grande Reserve is a clearish, dark brown, with a one-fingered chocolate-colored head that quickly dissipates. The beer is produced by one of the world's great brewers, and for this reveiewer in particular, beers don't get much better than this.

Chimay Blue's -- The Grand Reserve -- smell is sweetish, caramel malts and licorice, mingled with abundant spices and dark fruits, such as raisins and figs. The taste has a lot going on -- it's sweet, but not overly so.  It's a complex brew, with a mix of fruit and spices, and some breadish, more earth-like flavors.  The mouthfeel, though, is lighter than you might expect in a beer with this much taste, and the alcohol is definitely present.

I'm giving this one an A.  Pour me another, please!