About This Beer
Chimay Tripel (White) 33cl 8% is one of Belgium's most recognisable golden Trappist beers. Brewed at Scourmont Abbey, Chimay White combines expressive fermentation character, refined malt sweetness and distinctive hop bitterness in a traditional Belgian Tripel.
Also known as Chimay Cinq Cents, this celebrated beer offers a lighter-coloured alternative to the brewery's famous dark ales.
While Chimay Red is recognised for caramel malt and gentle fruitiness, and Chimay Blue for its rich dark fruit character, Chimay Tripel emphasises golden malt, fruity yeast aromas and a more pronounced hop profile.
The result is a complex yet balanced Belgian strong golden ale with substantial strength and a refreshing, dry finish.
Chimay Tripel pours a bright golden colour with a generous, creamy white head.
Its appearance reflects the traditional characteristics of Belgian Tripel, a style known for combining pale colour with considerable alcoholic strength.
The aroma is expressive, bringing together ripe fruit, citrus, floral hops and subtle spice.
These characteristics develop through the interaction between malt, hops and the brewery's distinctive fermentation process.
On the palate, Chimay White offers a carefully balanced combination of soft malt sweetness, fruity fermentation notes and herbal hop bitterness.
The flavour develops gradually, with impressions of citrus, ripe orchard fruit and gentle peppery spice.
A pronounced but balanced bitterness contributes to the beer's distinctive finish.
Unlike richer Belgian dark ales, Chimay Tripel finishes relatively dry.
This dryness helps prevent the beer from feeling excessively sweet despite its substantial 8% ABV.
The beer's lively carbonation also contributes to its refreshing character.
At 8% ABV, Chimay White is a strong Belgian beer, but its strength is integrated into the overall flavour.
The balance of malt, hops and fermentation creates a beer that is expressive without becoming overly heavy.
Chimay Tripel was introduced in 1966, expanding the brewery's range beyond its established dark ales.
Its golden colour and more pronounced hop character provided a distinctive contrast to Chimay Première and Chimay Grande Réserve.
The beer subsequently became an important part of the classic Chimay range.
The name Cinq Cents is associated with the beer's larger 50cl presentation, although the beer is also available in other bottle formats.
The familiar white label has made it widely known as Chimay White.
Today, all three names are commonly used to identify this traditional Trappist Tripel.
Chimay Tripel undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle.
This traditional process contributes natural carbonation and allows the beer's character to develop after packaging.
The resulting carbonation helps lift the fruity and spicy aromas while balancing the malt sweetness.
It also contributes to the beer's generous head and lively mouthfeel.
The 33cl bottle is particularly suitable for discovering Chimay White or comparing it with other Belgian Tripels.
A tasting featuring Chimay Tripel, Westmalle Tripel and other traditional golden Belgian ales provides an excellent introduction to the style.
Although these beers share elements of Belgian monastic brewing heritage, each offers a distinctive balance of fruitiness, spice, malt and hop bitterness.
Chimay White is particularly appealing to customers who enjoy expressive Belgian yeast character and a more pronounced hop finish.
It also provides an interesting alternative to modern hop-forward beers.
While contemporary IPAs often emphasise intense tropical fruit and citrus hop aromas, Chimay Tripel balances hop character with traditional Belgian fermentation.
The result is a beer with considerable complexity but a distinctly different profile from modern craft IPA.
Its dry finish and lively carbonation make it particularly suitable for enjoying alongside food.
Roast chicken, seafood, mature cheese and mushroom dishes all provide appealing pairings.
For customers exploring authentic Trappist beer, Chimay White represents an important example of traditional Belgian Tripel brewing.
Discover more Belgian speciality beers in our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright golden with a generous, creamy white head and lively carbonation.
Aroma: Citrus, ripe orchard fruit, floral hops and subtle peppery spice, accompanied by expressive Belgian yeast characteristics.
Taste: Soft golden malt, fruity fermentation notes, herbal hop bitterness and gentle spice, leading to a balanced, dry finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and lively with refreshing carbonation, a smooth texture and gentle alcoholic warmth.
About the Brewery
Chimay is an authentic Belgian Trappist brewery associated with Scourmont Abbey, located near Chimay in the province of Hainaut.
The abbey was founded in 1850 by Trappist monks who arrived from Westvleteren.
The monks established a community dedicated to prayer, work and self-sufficiency.
Brewing began at Scourmont Abbey in 1862, establishing a tradition that continues to define Chimay today.
Chimay is one of Belgium's most internationally recognised producers of authentic Trappist beer.
The Authentic Trappist Product designation distinguishes beers produced according to specific principles associated with monastic brewing.
To qualify, beer must be brewed within the monastery or its immediate surroundings, under the supervision of the monastic community.
The brewing operation must remain subordinate to the monastery's religious purpose.
Income generated through the activity supports the monastery, its community and charitable work.
These principles distinguish authentic Trappist beer from beers that simply use abbey-related branding.
Chimay's brewing tradition reflects this connection between monastic life and carefully managed production.
The brewery combines traditional fermentation methods with modern brewing expertise while maintaining the distinctive character of its established beers.
The Chimay range includes several internationally recognised releases.
Chimay Première, commonly known as Chimay Red, is the brewery's original beer.
First brewed in 1862, it offers a balanced combination of caramel malt, gentle fruitiness and subtle spice.
Chimay Grande Réserve, known as Chimay Blue, was introduced in 1948 as a Christmas beer.
Its richer dark fruit character and 9% ABV make it a stronger and more complex alternative.
Chimay Tripel, known as Chimay White or Cinq Cents, was introduced in 1966.
Its golden colour, expressive fermentation aromas and more pronounced hop bitterness distinguish it from the brewery's dark ales.
Chimay Gold, known as Dorée, provides a lighter interpretation of the brewery's Trappist brewing tradition.
Chimay Green, known as 150, offers a stronger blonde ale with a distinctive aromatic profile.
Together, these beers demonstrate the range of flavours that can be achieved through traditional Belgian brewing.
One of the defining features of Chimay beer is the brewery's distinctive yeast culture.
Fermentation contributes much of the fruity and spicy complexity associated with the range.
In Chimay Tripel, these characteristics are particularly expressive.
The pale malt profile allows the yeast-derived fruitiness and hop aromas to become more prominent.
The resulting beer offers a combination of citrus, ripe fruit, gentle spice and herbal bitterness.
Unlike Chimay Red and Chimay Blue, which emphasise darker malt flavours, Chimay White focuses on balance between golden malt, fermentation and hops.
This makes it an excellent example of traditional Belgian Tripel brewing.
Secondary fermentation in the bottle is another important aspect of Chimay's approach.
After packaging, the beer undergoes further fermentation, contributing natural carbonation and allowing its character to develop.
This process is closely associated with traditional Belgian speciality beers.
The carbonation helps lift the beer's aromas and contributes to its distinctive mouthfeel.
Chimay Tripel also demonstrates the importance of balance in stronger Belgian beers.
At 8% ABV, it offers considerable strength, yet its dry finish and lively carbonation prevent it from feeling excessively heavy.
The combination of fruity fermentation, hop bitterness and gentle malt sweetness creates a beer that is both complex and refreshing.
The brewery's approach reflects the wider tradition of Belgian Trappist brewing.
Rather than relying on a single dominant flavour, these beers are designed around the interaction between ingredients and fermentation.
Chimay White is particularly notable for its expressive yeast character and balanced hop profile.
The brewery is also associated with traditional cheese production.
Chimay cheeses provide an especially appropriate pairing with the brewery's beers, reflecting the shared heritage of monastic food and drink production.
For customers interested in Belgian brewing history, Chimay Tripel offers an important example of how the brewery expanded its range while maintaining its traditional identity.
Its introduction in 1966 provided a golden alternative to the established dark ales.
The beer has since become one of the most recognisable Belgian Tripels available internationally.
The 33cl bottle provides an accessible opportunity to explore this traditional style.
It is particularly suitable for comparing Chimay White with other authentic Trappist beers or enjoying alongside food.
Food Pairings
Chimay Tripel is a particularly versatile food beer.
Its combination of fruity fermentation aromas, gentle spice, hop bitterness and a dry finish allows it to complement a wide range of savoury dishes.
Roast chicken is an excellent starting point.
The savoury character of roasted chicken complements the beer's malt sweetness, while its carbonation and hop bitterness help refresh the palate.
Chicken served with herbs, roasted vegetables and a light gravy provides a particularly enjoyable pairing.
Grilled chicken with lemon and herbs is another excellent option.
The citrus notes in the beer complement the lemon, while its gentle spice works with the herbs.
Seafood can also pair beautifully with Chimay White.
Grilled white fish, baked cod and seafood dishes featuring butter or herbs provide a suitable balance of flavour.
The beer's dry finish and carbonation help cut through richer sauces.
Mussels are a particularly appropriate Belgian pairing.
Moules-frites, prepared with white wine, garlic and herbs, offers a classic combination of savoury seafood and aromatic ingredients.
Chimay Tripel provides enough strength to complement the dish while retaining a refreshing finish.
For customers who enjoy shellfish, scallops served with butter and herbs can also work well.
The beer's fruity aromas and gentle bitterness provide contrast to the sweetness of the seafood.
Pork is another excellent pairing.
Roast pork loin, pork shoulder and pork served with apple sauce complement the beer's fruity fermentation character.
The carbonation helps balance richer cuts of meat.
For vegetarian dishes, mushroom risotto is particularly suitable.
The earthy flavour of mushrooms complements the beer's malt character, while its dry finish balances the richness of the risotto.
Roasted vegetables also work well.
Carrots, parsnips, squash and sweet potatoes develop natural sweetness during roasting.
This sweetness provides an appealing contrast to the beer's hop bitterness.
A roasted vegetable tart with goat's cheese offers another excellent pairing.
Cheese is one of the most traditional accompaniments to Belgian Trappist beer.
Chimay's own Trappist cheeses provide an especially appropriate pairing.
Their savoury and creamy character complements the beer's fruity aromas and balanced bitterness.
Mature Cheddar, Comté and aged Gouda also work well.
The nutty and savoury flavours of these cheeses provide contrast to the beer's golden malt and gentle spice.
Goat's cheese is another particularly suitable option.
Its tangy character complements the beer's fruity aromas, while the carbonation helps refresh the palate.
Chimay Tripel can also work well with lightly spiced dishes.
Its fruity fermentation character and malt sweetness provide balance to aromatic spices.
Mild chicken curry, gently spiced vegetable dishes and aromatic rice dishes can all be enjoyable pairings.
However, very hot chilli dishes may exaggerate the warming effect of the beer's 8% alcohol content.
Moderately spiced dishes are generally a more balanced choice.
For dessert, consider fruit-based pastries.
Apple tart, pear tart and desserts featuring citrus or stone fruit complement the beer's fruity aromas.
A lightly sweetened fruit tart provides an appealing contrast to its dry finish.
Chimay Tripel is also enjoyable without food.
Its expressive aromas, lively carbonation and balanced bitterness make it particularly suitable for slow appreciation.
Serve it in a Chimay chalice or suitable stemmed beer glass.
A wider glass allows the fruity and spicy aromas to develop and provides room for its generous head.
A moderately cool serving temperature helps preserve the beer's refreshing character without suppressing its aromatic complexity.
Because Chimay Tripel undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, some yeast sediment may be present.
Pour gently if you prefer a clearer appearance.
The 33cl bottle is particularly suitable for an individual serving or including in a comparative tasting of Belgian Tripels.
Try More Like This
If you enjoy Chimay Tripel (White) 33cl, Westmalle Tripel is one of the most natural beers to explore next.
Produced at Westmalle Abbey, Westmalle Tripel is a celebrated example of traditional Belgian Trappist Tripel.
Its combination of fruity fermentation character, hop bitterness and a dry finish makes it an excellent comparison with Chimay White.
At 9.5% ABV, Westmalle Tripel is stronger, offering a different balance of malt, fruit and warming complexity.
For another Chimay beer, Chimay Grande Réserve (Blue) provides a contrasting experience.
Known internationally as Chimay Blue, this 9% Belgian Strong Dark Ale emphasises rich dark fruit, caramel malt and warming spice.
Chimay Première (Red) offers a softer dark ale alternative.
At 7% ABV, Chimay Red combines caramel malt, gentle fruitiness and restrained bitterness.
Comparing Chimay Red, White and Blue provides an excellent introduction to the diversity of the classic Chimay range.
For customers interested in golden Belgian ales beyond the Trappist tradition, Duvel Original 75cl offers another interesting comparison.
Duvel is not a Trappist beer, but its pale golden colour, expressive fermentation character and dry finish make it appealing to customers who enjoy traditional Belgian strong ales.
Duvel's lively carbonation and distinctive hop profile provide a different interpretation of strong golden Belgian beer.
Delirium Tremens 33cl is another worthwhile alternative.
Its fruity fermentation aromas, gentle spice and warming strength offer an interesting comparison with Chimay Tripel.
Although Delirium Tremens is not a Trappist beer, it shares several characteristics associated with traditional Belgian strong golden ales.
For customers who enjoy more pronounced hop character, Duvel Tripel Hop Citra offers a modern interpretation of Belgian strong golden ale.
Its additional Citra hop character introduces brighter citrus and tropical fruit aromas.
However, Duvel Tripel Hop is not a traditional Trappist Tripel, making it a useful comparison between different Belgian brewing approaches.
Explore our Belgian & Trappist Beer collection for more traditional Belgian beers.
For customers choosing a Belgian beer gift, discover our Gifting collection.
Whether you're discovering Belgian Tripel, exploring authentic Trappist beer or comparing the classic Chimay range, Chimay Tripel (White) 33cl offers a distinctive combination of golden malt, fruity fermentation, gentle spice and balanced hop bitterness.
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