Sampled from a rather attractive 11.2 oz brown bottle this brew pours a murky dark brown color that turns to red when held to the light. There is a large light tan head. The aroma is sour, tart and fruity with notes of cherry, berry and caramel. The flavor is strongly sweet and sugary with sour malts, ripe black cherries, berries, notable caramel and faint hints of must and nutmeg. The finish was long, fruity and tart. Fairly thick body. Excellent.

Rerate, 330 ml bottle, now available in Norway (Vinmonopolet, + Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger): ABV is 7.0%. Hazy brown colour, big and lasting off-white head. Spicy complex aroma and flavour, some winey and woody notes too. The mouthfeel has still too much carbonation, but this is none the less a very fine beer. I’m upping it a few points. Original rating: 330 ml bottle, at the White Horse at Parsons Green, London. Served in "appropriate" Chimay glass (whether those wide chalices really ARE the most appropriate for savouring complex beers, is a discussion of its own). Unfortunately served far too cold - you’d think White Horse waiters knew better. For good measure, the waiter poured the beer along the side of the glass, which prevented the beer from "opening up", the head disappeared quickly and the beer kept too much carbonation. The beer has a brown colour, aroma of leather, balsamico vinegar and barnyard. Flavour is quite dry, well hopped, elements of leather and tobacco. Hints of cardamom and ginger. Aroma and flavour improves somewhat as the beer slowly warms up, but altogether this remains my least favourite of the Chimays - give me a Bleu, please! Still a decent beer, but with the Trappists I expect more. Will re-rate when I personally control the temperature and the pour.

Hazy golden ale with discrete floaties and a thcik luscious white head. Nose of coriander and yeas, with a touch of alcohol. Sweet yet in a restrained fashion, with hops domineering quite well over malt, lingering coriander, bitter oranges, creamy in outh and complex. A classic. Santé aux voyageurs des papilles!

Aroma of malt, flowers, and herbs. Brown, large white head. Flavor is complex. Some bitterness. Malt, and fruit that seems to hold back. Heavy palate.

750 mL bottle in a tulip glass. Pours an oversized forthy head, in which even the foam has an alcoholic taste, and a pleasant hop note to the smell. A golden hazy body. Once I get past the foam, I find a slight lactic tang among citrus notes and the mouthfeel of a Squirt soda. A delicate, balanced bitterness and the hint of orange peel at the end. It’s just great for relaxing to in the recliner.