Chimay Cinq Cents 750ML

Chimay Cinq Cents 750ML is a Belgian Trappist tripel brewed at Scourmont Abbey, bottled at 8% ABV in a 750ml format. As the driest and most generously hopped of the Chimay range, this golden ale distinguishes itself through a three-week bottle refermentation process modeled on the méthode champenoise — a hallmark of authentic Trappist brewing. With over 275,000 ratings on Untappd and a 3.7 average, it stands among the most widely recognized tripels in the world.

Quick Facts: ABV: 8%  |  Origin: Chimay, Hainaut, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Tripel  |  Brewery: Brasserie de Chimay, Scourmont Abbey

Production & Heritage

Brasserie de Chimay operates within the walls of Scourmont Abbey, a Trappist monastery in the Hainaut province of Belgium. The brewery draws its water from a well located inside the monastery grounds, lending a mineral character specific to this source. Cinq Cents — named for the 500th anniversary of the town of Chimay — is brewed from malted barley, wheat starch, sugar, hop extract, and the abbey's proprietary yeast strain. The liquid leaves the brewhouse completely flat; sugar and yeast are added at bottling to trigger a secondary fermentation that lasts exactly 21 days at controlled temperature and humidity, a process the brewery likens to champagne-method conditioning. This refermentation generates the beer's natural carbonation and contributes to its complexity as it develops in the bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with fruity esters — banana and muscat — followed by clove, a light earthiness, and floral hop notes. A subtle breadiness and nutty, slightly musty yeast character round out the bouquet.

Taste: The entry is soft and malty with golden raisin sweetness and fresh bread crust, quickly giving way to a pronounced hoppy bitterness that separates Cinq Cents from the maltier Chimay expressions. The mid-palate is creamy and plush, with the 8% alcohol integrating smoothly rather than presenting heat. Wine Enthusiast described the mouthfeel as "creamy and plush, with balanced alcohol that is barely noticeable."

Finish: Dry and surprisingly mild in bitterness, the finish lingers with herbal hop character and a faint spice note. It closes clean, inviting the next sip without residual sweetness.

How to Drink Cinq Cents

Pour into a chalice or wide-bowled goblet at 46–50°F to let the aromatics open fully. A slightly warmer pour emphasizes the malt and fruit; colder temperatures sharpen the hop bitterness. Cinq Cents works in a Tripel Spritz, combining the beer with a splash of elderflower tonic for a lighter, effervescent aperitif. It excels in a Belgian Shandy, mixed with fresh lemon juice, because the dry finish prevents excess sweetness. For a more adventurous serve, try it in a Beer Mimosa alongside orange juice at brunch — the refermentation carbonation and fruity esters mirror sparkling wine remarkably well.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer drinker to authentic Trappist brewing
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner featuring rich or spiced dishes
• Gifting to a Belgian beer enthusiast in a presentation-worthy 750ml bottle
• Cellaring for one to three years to explore how bottle conditioning evolves the flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cinq Cents taste like? Cinq Cents is the driest beer in the Chimay lineup, delivering muscat and golden raisin sweetness balanced by a firm hoppy bitterness. Fruity esters, fresh bread, and clove spice round out a complex but approachable flavor profile.

How does Cinq Cents compare to Westmalle Tripel? Westmalle Tripel is widely considered the benchmark of the tripel style and tends toward a slightly drier, more peppery character, while Cinq Cents leans into fruity esters and a creamier mouthfeel. Both are authentic Trappist ales at similar ABV ranges, but Cinq Cents is generally regarded as a touch more approachable on first taste.

Is Cinq Cents good for sipping neat? Absolutely — poured into a goblet at cellar temperature, Cinq Cents rewards slow, contemplative drinking, with its bottle-refermented carbonation and layered aromatics unfolding over time.

Where is Cinq Cents made? Cinq Cents is brewed at Scourmont Abbey, a Trappist monastery in the town of Chimay in Belgium's Hainaut province. The brewery uses water drawn from a dedicated well within the monastery walls.

What foods pair well with Cinq Cents? Mussels in white wine sauce benefit from the beer's dry bitterness cutting through the broth. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese mirrors the nutty, slightly sweet malt character. Roasted chicken with herbs complements the floral hop notes. Thai green curry works because the carbonation and spice echo each other. Fresh fruit tarts align with the muscat and raisin esters in the beer.

What sizes does Cinq Cents come in? Cinq Cents is available in a 750ml bottle, the format most commonly associated with Trappist ales, as well as a standard 330ml bottle.

Is Cinq Cents worth the price? Cinq Cents positions as a premium Trappist ale, and its price reflects the authentic monastic production, bottle refermentation, and protected water source. Within the Belgian tripel category, it represents strong value relative to limited-release Trappist bottlings while offering a level of complexity above most commercial abbey-style beers.

Why Cinq Cents?

Chimay holds Authentic Trappist Product designation, meaning the beer is brewed within monastery walls under monastic supervision — a distinction shared by only a handful of breweries worldwide. The 21-day bottle refermentation using the abbey's proprietary yeast creates a living beer that continues to develop character over years of cellaring. Among the three core Chimay expressions, Cinq Cents stands apart as the hoppiest and driest, making it the most versatile at the table and the most interesting for drinkers who appreciate a firm bitter backbone alongside Trappist yeast complexity. Its 275,000-plus Untappd ratings confirm broad recognition, yet every bottle still traces back to a single monastery well in Hainaut.