Chimay is the biggest name in Trappist beer for a reason: it is the only Trappist brewery that reliably shows up on regular supermarket shelves outside Belgium. All of it is brewed by monks at Scourmont Abbey, a working Cistercian monastery near the town of Chimay in the Belgian province of Hainaut, and every bottle carries the Authentic Trappist Product label that only 11 breweries in the world are allowed to use. If you only ever try one Trappist beer family, it will probably be this one. Here is how the three widely available Chimay beers actually differ.
The Chimay Range at a Glance
| Beer | Also Called | Style | ABV |
| Chimay Red | Premiere | Belgian dubbel | 7% |
| Chimay White | Cinq Cents / Tripel | Belgian tripel | 8% |
| Chimay Blue | Grande Reserve | Belgian dark strong ale | 9% |
Chimay Red (Premiere): The Everyday One
Red is the original Chimay beer and the softest introduction to the range. It is a 7% dubbel, dark copper in color, with dried fruit, caramel malt and a mild spicy warmth from the house yeast strain. We have already covered it in full in our Chimay Red review, where it scored 4.4 out of 5 for being approachable without losing the character that makes Trappist beer worth seeking out.
Chimay White (Cinq Cents): The Dry, Hoppy One
White, labeled Cinq Cents on the export bottle, is the odd one out in the family. Where Red and Blue are dark and malt-driven, White is a pale, dry Belgian tripel at 8% ABV, built on a bigger dose of hops and a drier, more peppery finish. It was actually the last of the three core beers to be introduced, created in 1966 to give the abbey a lighter style alongside the darker Red and Blue. If you like Duvel or Westmalle Tripel, White is the Chimay that sits closest to those.
Chimay Blue (Grande Reserve): The Big One
Blue is the flagship. At 9% ABV, it is a Belgian dark strong ale with a deep, complex profile: dark fruit, a touch of cocoa, a hint of vanilla, and a slight bitterness holding the sweetness in check, according to reviewers at the Belgian Beer Company. It was first brewed in 1948 as a Christmas ale before becoming a permanent, year-round release under the Grande Reserve name. Some editions are sold in larger corked and caged bottles with a vintage year printed on the label, which is a signal that Blue, unlike most beers, is meant to be able to age.
Why Only 11 Breweries Can Call Themselves Trappist
Chimay is one of a small group of breweries entitled to use the term “Trappist” on their labels. The name is legally protected by the International Trappist Association, and to qualify, the beer has to be brewed within the walls of an active Trappist monastery, under the supervision of the monks, with profits going to the monastery and to charity rather than a shareholder. For a wider look at what that actually means in practice and which other abbeys qualify, see our guide to Trappist monks and the beer they brew.
If You Like Chimay, Try These Belgian Beers Next
Chimay is a good gateway into Belgian beer more broadly. For a wider tour of what else the country does well, from blonde ales to lambics, see our best Belgian beer brands guide.
FAQs
Which Chimay beer should I try first?
Chimay Red is the easiest entry point at 7% ABV. If you want the full flagship experience, go straight for the Blue.
Is Chimay actually brewed by monks?
Yes. All Chimay beer is brewed at Scourmont Abbey under the supervision of Trappist monks, one of only 11 breweries worldwide with the Authentic Trappist Product label.
What is the difference between Chimay Blue and Chimay Grande Reserve?
They are the same beer. Blue is the color-coded name used on the cap and label, and Grande Reserve is its formal name.
Does Chimay White taste different from Red and Blue?
Yes, noticeably. White is a pale, dry, hoppier tripel, while Red and Blue are dark, malt-driven ales with fruit and spice character.
