Chimay Premiere 4Pk

Chimay Premiere 4-Pack is a 7% ABV Belgian Dubbel ale brewed and bottle-refermented by Trappist monks at Scourmont Abbey in Chimay, Belgium. Also known as Chimay Red for its distinctive cap color, this copper-brown dubbel holds an 87/100 overall score from The Beer Connoisseur and carries the official Authentic Trappist Product designation — a seal granted to only a handful of breweries worldwide.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7%  |  Origin: Chimay, Hainaut, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Dubbel Ale  |  Brewery: Brasserie de Chimay, Scourmont Abbey  |  Format: 4 × 330ml bottles

Production & Heritage

Scourmont Abbey was founded in 1850, with monks beginning to brew on the premises in 1862. Brasserie de Chimay remains under monastic supervision, and all proceeds support the abbey's community and charitable works. Chimay Premiere is top-fermented and undergoes a triple fermentation process described as a real "champagne method" taking approximately three weeks. The second fermentation occurs in the bottle, followed by 21 days of carefully controlled temperature and humidity maturation. The ingredients are straightforward — water, malted barley, wheat starch, sugar, hop extract, and the abbey's proprietary yeast strain, which is responsible for much of the beer's signature fruity character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A fruity apricot note leads immediately, a direct product of the abbey's yeast strain at work during fermentation. Beneath it, subtle warmth from caramel malt and faint spice round out a welcoming, complex nose.

Taste: The entry is smooth and malt-forward, with caramel sweetness giving way to layers of apricot, plum, and dark chocolate at mid-palate. Roasted spice notes — pepper and clove — emerge as the complexity builds, tempered by a refreshing, lightly bitter astringency that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Medium in length with a silky, smooth texture and gentle sweetness that lightly coats the back of the palate. The lingering impression is of dried fruit and subtle spice, inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Chimay Premiere

Serve at 10–12°C (50–54°F) in a wide-bowled goblet or chalice to concentrate the aromatics. Pouring gently while leaving a small amount of yeast sediment in the bottle is the traditional Trappist approach, though some drinkers prefer to swirl and include the yeast for added body and flavor.

• Belgian-Style French Dip: Use Chimay Premiere as the braising liquid for the beef dip jus — the caramel malt and fruit notes create a savory-sweet depth.
• Beer Cocktail — Dubbel Sour: Combine with fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup over ice for a refreshing riff that highlights the apricot character.
• Shandy Variation: Mix half-and-half with quality ginger beer for a spiced, effervescent long drink that plays off the clove and pepper notes.

Best For

• Introducing someone to authentic Trappist brewing traditions
• Pairing with a multi-course dinner featuring rich, savory dishes
• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast who values monastic heritage
• Cool-weather evening sessions when a warming, malt-driven ale fits the mood

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chimay Premiere taste like? Chimay Premiere delivers a malt-driven profile of caramel, apricot, and dark chocolate layered with roasted spice notes of pepper and clove. A lightly bitter, dry astringency balances the sweetness, resulting in a complex but approachable Belgian Dubbel.

How does Chimay Premiere compare to Westmalle Dubbel? Both are benchmark Trappist dubbels at 7% ABV, but Chimay Premiere tends to lean more toward fruity apricot and caramel sweetness, while Westmalle Dubbel is generally drier with more pronounced dark fruit and banana ester character. The two are frequently cited as direct rivals in the style.

Is Chimay Premiere good for beginners? Yes — at 7% ABV with a smooth, malt-forward sweetness and accessible fruit flavors, it serves as an excellent gateway into both Belgian Dubbels and Trappist ales without overwhelming the palate.

Where is Chimay Premiere made? Chimay Premiere is brewed at Brasserie de Chimay inside Scourmont Abbey, a Trappist monastery located in the town of Chimay in the Hainaut province of southern Belgium. The monks have brewed on this site since 1862.

What foods pair well with Chimay Premiere? Slow-roasted pork shoulder complements the caramel malt sweetness. Aged Gouda or Chimay's own Trappist cheese mirrors the ale's depth. Beef carbonnade (a Belgian beef stew traditionally made with dark ale) is a classic regional match. Chocolate truffles or a dark chocolate tart echo the cocoa notes in the mid-palate. Charcuterie boards with cured sausages and grainy mustard provide a savory, peppery contrast.

What sizes does Chimay Premiere come in? Chimay Premiere is available in this 4-pack of 330ml (11.2 oz) bottles, as well as individual 330ml bottles, 750ml corked bottles, and on draft at select locations.

Is Chimay Premiere worth the price? Chimay Premiere positions as an accessible entry point into the Trappist category, generally sitting at a modest premium over mainstream craft beer but well below limited-release or barrel-aged Belgian ales. Given the authentic Trappist designation, bottle-refermentation process, and over 160 years of brewing heritage, it represents strong value within the style.

Why Chimay Premiere?

Only a small number of breweries in the world carry the Authentic Trappist Product seal, and Chimay is among the most recognized. The triple fermentation method — including in-bottle refermentation and a 21-day conditioning phase under controlled conditions — produces a depth of flavor that simple pasteurized ales cannot replicate. Scoring 87/100 from The Beer Connoisseur and carrying a strong 3.7 average across more than 232,000 Untappd ratings, Chimay Premiere has proven itself consistently across decades. It remains the foundational expression in the Chimay range and one of the most reliable benchmarks for the Belgian Dubbel style.