Beer blog SPECIAL!

That's right! I'm doing a special tonight and reviewing not only two beers, but a renowned TRAPPIST ALE!

For those of you who haven't heard of trappist beers, it means that the beer is brewed by or under control of monks in a monastery. This particular bottle is of Chimay Grande Reserve (colloquially known as Chimay Blue label). It is truly a special brew. Also expensive; about $10 for 25 ounces. It comes in sort of a wine bottle and is corked in the same fashion as champagne. It is 9% alcohol by volume (ABV), a very uncommon ABV for a beer. There are three different types of beer brewed in the Chimay brewery, but you can read about those from here or even from the brewery's own website.

It pours a golden brown and being unfiltered, it is very opaque and creates a very small head. The lack of head in this beer is acceptable only due to the quality of the beer and its cost; you don't want to waste the precious elixer to a lot of head. The aroma is predominantly malty but I can faintly detect the scent of alcohol. The flavor is VERY sweet and malty which is best appreciated as you swish the liquid in the mouth. As you let the brew slide down across the palate and past the tongue into the esophagus, the alcohol and yeast is most keenly detected. Surprisingly, there is almost no aftertaste which primes you for another enjoyable sip. The mouthfeel is very big and extremely smooth.

I would compare the release of endorphins this beer prompts the brain to release equivalent to sex. It is truly an incredible beverage. In fact, it has been voted number one beer in the world.