July 14 marks Bastille Day (and Stage 12 of the Tour de France) and brings back fond memories of Paris and several La Fête Nationales celebrated at the Bastide. In honor of the occasion, I opened up a Chimay Grande Reserve AKA Chimay Bleue. Yes, it’s a belgian beer but it was my first introduction to the ritual of glassware for beer other than the giant steins gathering dust high on people’s shelves and I enjoyed a variety of beer in a variety of glassware at the Bastide.
Opening the bottle felt ritualistic as well. After removing the wire caging and cork, I poured a lovely brown with red undertones ale into my glass. In the nose: fruit and spice meet yeast. It is nicely balanced although at 9% alcohol it is well masked. Retail: $13.65 for 750 ml bottle.
Classified as a Belgian Ale but made in Canada, the next beer I tried was the Chambly Noire (Black Hat). Made in Chambly, Quebec by Unibroue, it is a dark brown “black ale” with notes of wood, coffee, and fruit. In the mouth, ripe fruit, vanilla, cloves, and chocolate. A solid choice. 6.2% alcohol. $6.95 for a 25.4 oz bottle.
And the finale: La Divine, made in France, this Biere de Garde is “delicate” in color and in smell: flowery, fruity, and woody in the nose. The sweet taste of apples, pears, caramel and spice complement the bitter finish. A solid offering but not the highlight of the day. 8% alcohol. Retail: $9.95 for a 750 ml bottle.
If you miss Bastille Day, July 21 is Belgian Independence Day.
All three available at Bert’s Better Beers. If the Bastide still exists they will taste much better there. Cheers, Brouk!
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