Chimay Quadrilogy 4Pk Gift Set

Chimay Quadrilogy 4Pk Gift Set is a four-beer Trappist ale collection from Scourmont Abbey in Belgium, spanning 4.8% to 9.0% ABV. The set includes Chimay Dorée, Première, Cinq Cents, and Grande Réserve — the latter earning a perfect 100 on RateBeer — providing a comprehensive tour through one of the world's most respected monastic brewing traditions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.8%–9.0%  |  Origin: Scourmont Plateau, Hainaut, Belgium  |  Style: Belgian Trappist Ales  |  Brewery: Abbaye Notre-Dame de Scourmont

Production & Heritage

Chimay is brewed within the walls of the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Scourmont, a Trappist monastery on the Scourmont plateau in southern Belgium. All four ales are top-fermented between 64°F and 86°F using a proprietary yeast strain isolated by Father Théodore in 1948 after his studies at brewing school in Leuven. That single yeast cell — cultured and preserved unchanged for over seven decades — remains the foundation of every Chimay beer produced today, imparting the signature fruity and spicy character that defines the range. Water is sourced exclusively from two wells within the abbey precincts, and all brewing operates under the direct control and responsibility of the monastic community, fulfilling the strict requirements of Authentic Trappist Product designation.

Tasting Notes

Chimay Dorée (Gold) — 4.8% ABV: Hazy gold in the glass with aromas of citrus, pear, and gentle spice. Semi-dry on the palate with a hint of coriander and a light, refreshing body that belies its monastery origins.

Chimay Première (Red) — 7.0% ABV: Aromas of ripe fruit and caramel give way to a nutty, peppery palate with a measured bitterness. The mouthfeel is silky and rounded, finishing with restrained sweetness.

Chimay Cinq Cents (White) — 8.0% ABV: A slightly hazy golden ale topped with fine foam that releases fruity esters and floral-hop aromas. Mellow flavors of muscat, golden raisins, and fresh bread are balanced by a distinct hoppy bitterness. Cinq Cents earned a 96 on BeerAdvocate and 98 on RateBeer, reflecting its standing among the world's benchmark Trappist tripels.

Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) — 9.0% ABV: The flagship of the collection. Remarkably dry for the style, with flavors of dates, fig, and pear accompanied by aromas of dark bread and a subtle touch of rose. The sweetness comes purely from high-quality malts, and the finish is long and warming. Grande Réserve holds a perfect 100 on RateBeer and a 93 on BeerAdvocate.

How to Drink Chimay

Each ale benefits from its own chalice-style glass, which concentrates the complex aromas. Serve the Dorée lightly chilled around 43°F as a sessionable opener, while the Première and Cinq Cents show best at cellar temperature, roughly 50–54°F. The Grande Réserve rewards patient sipping at 54–57°F, where its dried-fruit complexity fully unfolds. While these are not cocktail beers by tradition, the Première works well in a Belgian-style shandy with fresh lemon, the Cinq Cents substitutes beautifully for white wine in a beer-based Kir, and the Grande Réserve can anchor a Trappist float with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert pairing.

Best For

• Gifting a craft beer enthusiast exploring Trappist brewing
• Hosting a structured Belgian beer tasting from light to dark
• Celebrating holidays or milestones with an iconic monastery collection
• Building a cellar — the Grande Réserve develops further complexity with age

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Chimay Quadrilogy taste like? The set spans a wide flavor arc — from the citrusy, coriander-tinged lightness of the Dorée to the rich, dried-fruit depth of the Grande Réserve, with the nutty, peppery Première and the hoppy, raisin-laced Cinq Cents in between.

How does the Chimay Quadrilogy compare to the Westmalle Trappist Gift Set? Both are authenticated Trappist monastery collections, but Chimay offers four distinct styles ranging from 4.8% to 9.0% ABV, while Westmalle typically features its Dubbel and Tripel. The Chimay set provides a broader spectrum of intensity and flavor.

Is the Chimay Quadrilogy good for beginners? The progression from the approachable 4.8% Dorée to the 9.0% Grande Réserve makes this an excellent introduction to Trappist ales, letting newcomers ease into higher-ABV styles at their own pace.

Where is Chimay made? All four ales are brewed inside the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Scourmont, a Trappist monastery situated on the Scourmont plateau in the Hainaut province of southern Belgium, using water drawn from two on-site wells.

What foods pair well with Chimay? The Dorée pairs naturally with moules-frites and fresh salads. Première complements aged cheddar and roasted chicken. Cinq Cents stands up to spicy Thai or Indian cuisine thanks to its hoppy bitterness. Grande Réserve matches rich stews like carbonnade flamande and dark chocolate desserts.

What sizes does the Chimay Quadrilogy come in? The Quadrilogy is available as a four-pack gift set, with each bottle typically 330ml (11.2 oz).

Is the Chimay Quadrilogy worth the price? The set positions as a premium craft beer gift, offering four distinct Authentic Trappist Product ales — a designation held by only a handful of breweries worldwide — which represents strong value for the breadth and quality included.

Why Chimay Quadrilogy?

What separates this collection from other Belgian beer gift packs is provenance that cannot be replicated. Every bottle is brewed inside a working monastery using Father Théodore's 1948 yeast strain — a single culture that has never been altered and remains exclusive to Scourmont Abbey. The range itself is exceptional: the Grande Réserve holds a perfect 100 on RateBeer, and Cinq Cents earned a 96 on BeerAdvocate, placing two of the four beers among the highest-rated Trappist ales in the world. Few gift sets in any beverage category can claim that kind of critical standing alongside seven decades of unbroken monastic tradition.