I've pondered what my #2,000 post would be and where it would go since the pressure was on! I would like to start out by saying that each and everyone of you Crazie's have become a part of my virtual family over the months since we kicked this experiment off and I think all y'all rock and I look forward to meeting each and every one of you. So, while enjoying a mess of clams, steamed and smoked on the grill last night, I concluded that I would follow in the steps of my mentors and adhere to tradition and post in the Ymm, Beer thread my first review of a
Chimay Ale "Peres Trappistes" Cinq Cents in honor of this milestone. My mentors have taught me well on the appreciation of a fine brew and I must say that this is an INCREDIBLE brew.
I spent sometime trying to shake the old habits of years ago that involved drinking beer for anything but the taste, but although that is fun at times, I have come to appreciate the qualities associated with beer tasting and I share my research with those that are interested in my experience. I followed the masters and read alot of internet and labels and took copious notes and sort of winged it on my reviews and my attempts to share reviews was graciously invited and accepted regardless of how bad they were and I am most appreciative of that. Thus, I found this website (
http://beeradvocate.com) and as stated on the beeradvocate website, "There are five categories to evaluating a beer with your review which are as follows:
Appearance (A) - Note the beer's color, carbonation, head and its retention. Is it clear or cloudy? Does it look lackluster and dull or alive and inviting?
Smell (S) - Bring the beer to your nose. Note the beer's aromatic qualities. Malts: sweet, roasty, smoky, toasty, chocolaty, nutty, caramelly, biscuity? Hops: dank / resiny, herbal, perfumy, spicy, leafy, grassy, floral, piney, citrusy? Yeast will also create aromas. You might get fruity or flowery aromas (esters) from ales and very clean aromas from lagers, which will allow the malt and hop subtleties to pull through.
Taste (T) - Take a deep sip of the beer. Note any flavors, or interpretations of flavors, that you might discover. The descriptions will be similar to what you smell. Is the beer built-well? Is there a balance between the ingredients? Was the beer brewed with a specific dominance of character in mind? How does it fit the style?
Mouthfeel (M) - Take another sip and let it wander. Note how the beer feels on the palate and its body. Light, heavy, chewy, thin / watery, smooth or coarse? Was the beer flat, over-carbonated?
Drinkability (D) - The beer's overall ease of consumption and your overall impression of the beer. Would you have another?"
So my review tonight of this Chimay will include these 5 elements and this being my first experience with a Chimay, I dedicate it to the King who turned me onto this fine brew:
(A) - It was a bit cloudy as I poured, but it was a beautiful golden-honey color and formed a great white head as it quickly calmed down and got ready for me to devour! This is an attractive beer!!!!
(S) - I loved the smell of this beer as soon as the cork "went" shooting across my kitchen. The Aroma was enormous as it caught my attention immediately and maintained it through out our experience. It has been reported that the Yeast and bready malt were most apparent, then the caramel malt and fruit notes including banana and I am still perfecting these taste buds but for lack of my elegance, I'd have to agree because the residual taste on my palate is still stimulating ME (I think my 100' coax needs a cold shower) :-D and the sweetness is still lingering!!!!!
(T) - I took several deep sips of this beer and all I can say is it was yummy. With each sip, the taste became smoother and smoother.
(M) - It leaves bubbles in my mouth as I swirled and swallowed (similiar to a fine champagne). High amount of carbonation that is still tingling my tongue, I like it!!!!
(D) - I think that I could quickly get toasted on this beer because it is soo good and potent at 8% ABV! I wouldn't need but probably 2 and OMG, I might become REALLY FRIENDLY!!!!! It is soo good and I'm glad I wasn't drinking it while eating clams, although that was my intent, because I would have had to pop the cork on the other bottle I have. I would definitely have another and another and another!!!! I can't wait to taste the Chimay Reserve brand.
Thanks to all for not taking me too seriously as I enjoy goofing with all y'all and have really enjoyed getting to know each of you and those to come! You all are AWESOME!!!!! So I say, cheers as I lift this last drink towards "infinity and beyond", so let the PWing continue.