Chimay Premiere 11.2OZ

Chimay Premiere 11.2OZ is a 7% ABV Belgian Trappist dubbel ale brewed and bottle-conditioned at Scourmont Abbey in an 11.2-ounce bottle. This copper-hued ale holds a perfect 100 on RateBeer and a 92 on BeerAdvocate, placing it among the most respected Trappist ales in production today.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Chimay, Hainaut, Belgium  |  Style: Trappist Dubbel  |  Brewery: Scourmont Abbey (Notre-Dame de Scourmont)

Production & Heritage

Scourmont Abbey, formally known as Notre-Dame de Scourmont, has brewed within its monastery walls in the Hainaut province of Belgium since 1862. Chimay Premiere — also recognized as Chimay Red — is the brewery's original ale, a top-fermented dubbel that undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. The beer is brewed with water drawn from wells inside the monastery grounds, malted barley, wheat starch, sugar, and hop extract, all fermented with a proprietary yeast strain isolated by Reverend Father Theodore in the 1940s after his studies at a brewing school in Leuven following World War II. That house yeast remains central to Chimay's flavor identity across its entire range.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe apricot and stewed fruit, followed by warm bread crust and a subtle undercurrent of molasses. A gentle spice note — clove and pepper — emerges as the beer warms in the glass.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-forward, with caramel sweetness giving way to layered apricot and dark plum at mid-palate. As the flavors develop, roasted spice, dark bread, chocolate, and a touch of coffee weave together, all tempered by a lightly bitter astringency that keeps the sweetness in check. The alcohol is subdued and warming rather than sharp.

Finish: Medium in length with a dry, gently bitter close. Lingering notes of spiced fruit and toasted malt fade gradually, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Chimay Premiere

Pour into a wide-bowled Trappist chalice or goblet at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — to allow the bottle-conditioned yeast and aromatics to express fully. Leave the final half-inch in the bottle if you prefer a clearer pour, or swirl and add it for extra body and yeast character. While Chimay Premiere is best enjoyed on its own, it also works in beer-forward mixed drinks: a Belgian Shandy (paired with fresh lemon juice and a touch of honey) highlights the apricot notes; a Beer Flip (with a whole egg, simple syrup, and nutmeg) showcases its malty richness; and a Chimay-based Michelada (with lime, hot sauce, and Worcestershire) plays off the ale's spice and fruit complexity in a savory direction.

Best For

• Introducing a craft beer enthusiast to authentic Trappist brewing
• Pairing with a Belgian-themed dinner course
• Building a curated Trappist tasting flight alongside Chimay Cinq Cents and Grande Réserve
• Gifting to someone who appreciates monastery-brewed, bottle-conditioned ales

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chimay Premiere taste like? Chimay Premiere delivers caramel, apricot, and dark plum flavors layered with roasted spice, chocolate, and dark bread, finishing with a dry, lightly bitter close. The 7% ABV is well-integrated, offering warmth without heat.

How does Chimay Premiere compare to Westmalle Dubbel? Both are authentic Trappist dubbels with roots in mid-19th-century brewing traditions, but Chimay Premiere tends toward fruitier apricot and caramel character, while Westmalle Dubbel leans drier with more pronounced dark fruit and banana ester notes. The two are often considered benchmarks of the dubbel style and reward side-by-side comparison.

Is Chimay Premiere good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its moderate 7% ABV, layered malt complexity, and bottle-conditioned carbonation make it an ideal standalone sipper, especially when served at cellar temperature in a proper goblet.

Where is Chimay Premiere made? Chimay Premiere is brewed at Scourmont Abbey (Notre-Dame de Scourmont) in the town of Chimay, located in the Hainaut province of southern Belgium. It is one of only a handful of beers worldwide that carries the Authentic Trappist Product designation, meaning it is brewed within monastery walls under monastic supervision.

What foods pair well with Chimay Premiere? Slow-braised beef carbonnade echoes the beer's caramel and malt depth. Aged Gouda or Chimay's own washed-rind cheese mirrors its fruity complexity. Roasted pork loin with apricot glaze amplifies the ale's signature stone-fruit note. Dark chocolate truffles complement the subtle cocoa and spice in the finish. Crusty sourdough bread with pâté provides a rustic pairing that highlights the yeast-driven character.

What sizes does Chimay Premiere come in? Chimay Premiere is widely available in the 11.2-ounce (330ml) bottle and is also produced in 750ml and 1.5-liter formats, depending on market availability.

Is Chimay Premiere worth the price? Chimay Premiere positions as an accessible entry point into authentic Trappist brewing — it sits at the starting tier of the Chimay range yet delivers complexity and pedigree that rival far pricier specialty ales. With a perfect RateBeer score and a BeerAdvocate 92, its critical standing reinforces strong value within the Trappist category.

Why Chimay Premiere?

Chimay Premiere stands apart because it is brewed with a proprietary yeast strain developed by Reverend Father Theodore in the 1940s — a living piece of post-war Belgian brewing history that no other brewery can replicate. As one of the few beers in the world carrying the Authentic Trappist Product label, every bottle is produced within the walls of Scourmont Abbey under the direct oversight of the monastic community. A perfect 100 on RateBeer and a 92 on BeerAdvocate confirm what decades of production have established: this is a benchmark Belgian dubbel. For anyone serious about understanding Trappist ale, Chimay Premiere is not just a starting point — it is a reference standard for the style.