Beer of the week: Chimay Tripel Ale

Reviewed by Eric Trotman  •  Special to Link

Type  Trappist Tripel Ale

Maker  Bieres de Chimay (Abbaye Notre Dame de Scourmont), Belgium

Alcohol  8 percent

Cost  $4  for a 11.2-ounce bottle at Total Wine, 1600 Crossways Blvd., Chesapeake

Chimay is one of only seven Trappist breweries left in the world today, six of which are in Belgium. The Cistercian order of monks pray, study and (thankfully) brew beer that was originally meant to sustain themselves. Now they distribute the beer.

Chimay produces three distinct styles: Red Cap, White Cap and Blue Cap (the darkest and strongest). The Tripel falls between the Red and the Blue in strength at 8 percent alcohol. It pours dark orange with a billowing, beige head that never dissipates and leaves the famous

“Brussels lacing” all over the glass. The aroma has a lot going on with earthy yeast, orange and tropical fruit, and a dusting of herb-like hops.

The flavor is bittersweet. The strong yeast flavors have that distinctive Belgian earth and spice notes, while candi  sugar (rock candy) used in the brewing process gives it a sugary sweetness. The yeast, fruit and herbal hops balance well, and it finishes very dry.

This one gets even better after a year or so, so drink one now and put another away for later, if you can wait. There’s a reason the Trappist beers are considered by many to be the “holy grail of beer.”