Trappist beer and cheese ()
Beer is a fundamental part of Belgian culture. It has been lovingly produced for centuries and boasts a variety of flavor profiles that are sure to appease the most finicky of beer drinkers. Though the techniques are ever changing, one thing never will; beer from Belgium is absolutely delicious!
There are over 180 breweries in Belgium, but you can't miss Chimary Brewery
Chimay Brewery is one of only 11 Trappist breweries in the world. It is located at Scourmont Abbey, a Trappist monastery established in 1850 in Hainaut, Belgium.
The first beer was brewed by 1862 for the monks’ own consumption, but the perfected Chimay Rouge ale was soon an international sensation. The monastery has since grown to include a farm, brewery and cheese making operation, but the beer is where it all started.
Today, Chimay produces five types of superior quality beer: Gold, Red, Blue, Triple and Grand Reserve. The monks use all natural ingredients and the water for the beer is taken directly from a well within the monastery. The flavors and strengths vary, but all the products are incredibly tasty and aromatic. To maximize the flavor profile, each beer is served in a glass that is shaped specifically for the type of beer.
What better to go with beer than some seriously delicious cheese?
By 1857, the monks at Chimay started a dairy plant that made butter, and in 1876 made their first semi-soft cheese. The milk used for the cheese is all locally sourced and comes from farms within 18 miles of the monastery.
Visiting Chimay
Since the brewery is in the abbey, it is not open to the public. However, you can go to the adjacent Espace Chimay complex to experience the perfect beer and cheese combination. Start by learning about the abbey and production secrets of Trappist beer and cheese. If you opt for it, you can go on a walk to the abbey’s garden, church and cemetery. You’ll end your visit with a tasting of one Chimay on tap at the Inn of Poteaupré.
Though the tour is a great way to learn about the abbey, there is still so much more to sample. Stay a while at the inn and make your taste buds sing with the perfect pairing of beer and cheese.
According to the Chimay Brewery monks, there are four steps to the ideal tasting.
“Sip your beer delicately. Then taste a piece of cheese without the rind. Take another piece of cheese, this time with the rind. Finally, take a generous mouthful of beer to mix the two on your tongue.… Enjoy!”
If you want to take some of the amazing products with you, visit the recently refurbished store. The best part is that every purchase you make goes to a good cause. The income from the sales is used for social aid and helping the community. Perfect pairs include Chimay Red ale with the cheese Chimay à la Rouge or Chimay Blue with the Grand Chimay cheese.
If you have a love for beer or even just cheese, this Belgian brewery should be on the top of your travel list. Find time to visit Hainaut for a trip you won’t soon forget. Here the soup special of the day is always beer!
When Benjamin Franklin (maybe) said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy,” he was clearly referring to Trappist beer.
