Bottle/Tap: Bottle

Rule of Citrus: None

If you’ve never seen Monty Python and the Holy Grail, you’re missing out. If you have, visualize the chanting monks. (If you know the chant, sing it.) Those are the guys that must brew this beer. Wait, what? Monks and beer, no way. Way.

The Trappist Monks of Belgium certainly know a few things about beer brewing. I will admit the size of the bottle and price tag steered me away from this ale: average price $11. I bit the bullet, and on the recommendation of a clerk I picked up a bottle.

I’ve never bought a beer with a champagne cork; this is an indication of quality and sophistication. Also, I’ve never bought a beer that not only tells you how to store it –standing up in the fridge so sediment can settle- but how to properly serve it –in a wide mouthed goblet- these monks thought it all through.

After proper chill time and cleaning my only goblet, it was time to uncork. I cold smell the crisp bitter scent as I poured some in the glass. I was ready to give this a shot and quietly said the monk chant. It was bitter, nothing like an IPA, a mild bitter flavor. As tasting continued the bitter seemed to smooth out and made this beer very enjoyable. I was completely immersed in this ale and there was plenty of it in the bottle to do so.

There are two other ales Chimay puts out, and at $11 a bottle I’ll be saving my pennies. Still, if you have the extra change, and want to impress people, I do suggest picking up this ale. Until then, I’ll picture the Python monks brewing away, and instead of wooden slabs they’ll hold beer bottles. More painful, yes, a lot funnier, ni!