Is Chimay similar to Boulevard's "The Sixth Glass"?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Jacurdy60, Jan 29, 2013.

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  1. Jacurdy60

    Jacurdy60 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    I recently tried Boulevard Brewing's "The Sixth Glass" beer. It's a trappist Belgian style beer and was fantastic, but the date/fig taste became a little too strong as I drank more of it, and the peppery finish grew old after the 1st beer. Other than that, it was a great brew and will buy it again and remember to only drink one per sitting. Is Chimay similar to that? Or are the typical trappist notes a little more subtle? I'm asking because a 4 pack of it is $20 and I don't want to waste money.
     
  2. Crawbee87

    Crawbee87 Initiate (0) Mar 7, 2012 California

    Chimay is solid. I had a 3L for my graduation. I don't think of Chimay as peppery but its been a long time since I have had it. Its just a pretty typical BSDA. I say if you have never had it you should definitely try it.
     
  3. devlishdamsel

    devlishdamsel Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2009 Washington

    I've never had Boulevard. However Chimay is a classic trapist beer, that is amazing and IMO world class. It has been made by monks who care for beer like their children and will rise in the middle of the night to make sure that the yeast does not make the wort temperature too high. I've never had a bad Chimay, so no you would not be wasting your money. Also to the best of my recollection i don't recall a date or fig flavor associated with it.
     
  4. bramsdell

    bramsdell Initiate (0) May 27, 2011 North Carolina

    Chimay Blue is one of the most well-respected beers in the world. It rather sets the standard for most when it comes to Belgian Strong Dark Ales (BDSAs). You will get much of the date/fig, dark fruit experience you get from the Sixth Glass, which I also love.

    I'm at work and don't feel like waxing on about BDSAs, but the short answer is that no, Chimay will not be a waste of money. Don't buy the full four pack; they're easy enough to find that you can usually find a pace that sells them individually. Buy one. If you like it, buy more. They also age fantastically (had an 08 two weeks ago that was a stand-out of the tasting).
     
  5. Ricelikesbeer

    Ricelikesbeer Maven (1,389) Nov 29, 2006 Colorado
    Trader

    I am a big fan of Chimay as well. I assume we're all talking about Chimay Blue right?

    I'm not sure exactly what has changed, but Chimay doesn't have the pop that it used to for me. I much prefer drinking Rochefort or Achel, or even St. Bernardus, which have all seemed to surpass Chimay IMO. But I love it too and will continue buying all 3 main ones!
     
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  6. CellarGimp

    CellarGimp Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2011 Missouri

    Sixth Glass is a nice American Quad. Chimay is in a different class.
     
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  7. Ricelikesbeer

    Ricelikesbeer Maven (1,389) Nov 29, 2006 Colorado
    Trader

    6th glass is a great quad/strong dark, but I don't find it to be remotely similar to Chimay blue. I think Chimay has more yeast character, and is slightly less sweet. I've had some pretty boozy samples of 6th glass as well. I'd say 6th glass has more caramel flavors in my opinion as well. Chimay is certainly worth the price, but if you can find rochefort, Achel, or some of the other trappists you might be even more pleased. I even prefer st. bernardus beers to Chimay. They are about the closest thing to trappist brewery without the label.
     
  8. devlishdamsel

    devlishdamsel Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2009 Washington

    Yep, that's my favorite.
     
  9. Jacurdy60

    Jacurdy60 Initiate (0) Jan 23, 2013 Massachusetts

    Yeah, 6th Glass was very sweet but it still was a fantastic brew. I'm going to try Chimay Blue and look for st. bernardus because I think i've seen it before
     
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  10. ventura78

    ventura78 Pundit (960) Nov 22, 2003 Massachusetts

    The big change with chimay came about 10 years ago when they went from open fermenters to conical. Chimay red has never been the same since then in my opinion.

    http://www.beer-pages.com/protz/features/chimay

    Roger Protz mentions this in the last 2 paragraphs of the above link
     
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  11. jbertsch

    jbertsch Pooh-Bah (2,710) Dec 14, 2008 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    IMO The Sixth Glass doesn't hold a candle to Chimay...red or blue for that matter
     
  12. Zhiguli

    Zhiguli Initiate (0) Jul 12, 2012 California

    Chimay... the converter of MANY
     
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  13. Barrel_age_me

    Barrel_age_me Initiate (0) Dec 26, 2012 Ohio

    The first thing you should know is that "the sixth glass" isnt a trappist beer! There are only 7 in the world and thats not one. Chimay on the other hand is! Trappist doesnt cause for a certain type of flavor profile or anything of that nature. Trappist simply means its either brewed by monks in a monastary or in their watch. All Trappist breweries make no profit from their beer sales. All the money they make goes directly into their monastery.
     
  14. Ricelikesbeer

    Ricelikesbeer Maven (1,389) Nov 29, 2006 Colorado
    Trader

    Thank you, I was looking around too. I haven't seen that specific article, but many have commented on the beers changing or diminishing in quality.
     
  15. Ricelikesbeer

    Ricelikesbeer Maven (1,389) Nov 29, 2006 Colorado
    Trader

    St. Bernardus Abt 12 is a phenominal beer. I don't think you'll be disappointed. It might come across as a little differnent and more "rustic" than 6th glass, but it will have even more complexity.
     
  16. Ricelikesbeer

    Ricelikesbeer Maven (1,389) Nov 29, 2006 Colorado
    Trader

    Have you tried St. Bernardus ABT 12, Achel Bruin Extra, Rochefort 10, Or Koeningshoeven quad? I think all of those far surpass Chimay Blue.
     
  17. devlishdamsel

    devlishdamsel Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2009 Washington

    I have some bernardus 12 I have yet to try.
     
  18. Ricelikesbeer

    Ricelikesbeer Maven (1,389) Nov 29, 2006 Colorado
    Trader

    Nice, let me know what you think. I'd be surprised if you didn't like it more. A blind taste test would be a cool experiment.


    My favorite Strong Dark by far is Achel Bruin Extra. But I love Pannepot and recently had De Ranke Noir, which was also great. Belgian Strong Dark is my favorite beer style so I love to try new ones!
     
  19. --Dom--

    --Dom-- Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2012 Missouri

    My answer to the original question: No :astonished:
     
  20. Handle

    Handle Initiate (0) Mar 16, 2009 North Carolina


    With the addition of Austria's Engelszell, there are now eight Trappist breweries.

    http://www.pastemagazine.com/articl...hth-trappist-brewery-launches-in-austria.html
     
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