What better week is there to pay homage to one of the finest ales the world has ever known? Each year, Cycling Week in Belgium has me turning toward the top shelf of my regular beer peddler for a bottle of Chimay Red Label to be savoured on either the day of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen or Paris-Roubaix or both. It is part of my annual Ronde/Roubaix ritual; a morning ride which includes rough roads and small steep climbs hopefully in gloriously shitty weather followed by some shop time tuning up the stable after a long winter, punctuated by strong Belgian Ale crafted in the monastic traditions of Trappist monks. Life is good.
The Cistercian Trappist monks have been brewing beer and making cheese in Chimay since 1862. Here’s what they say about life, beer, and God:
Here, in this heaven of peace and silence where since 1850 Trappist monks have dedicated their life to God, products are made which, in themselves, gladden the heart of man.
If this statement doesn’t beckon me to the cloth, nothing will. Speaking for myself, there are plenty of reasons not to become a monk: Celibacy, atheism, sin, colorless wardrobe, dudefest, to name a few. However, the promise of the finest beers and cheeses the world has ever known and relocating to Belgium just might get me thinking about making a few “sacrifices”. Although I have only partaken in the Trappist beer, I imagine the cheese is to die for as well. I believe it was Ed Abbey who said “we all have a friend in cheeses”. Amen.
So whether it be Rouge, Bleue, or Blanche (they make a Doree label as well which I’ve never had) uncork some Peres Trappist this week, drown some frites in mayo, and watch what I believe to be the finest competition bicycle racing has to offer. It only comes once a year but the nice thing is that it’s a whole week long. Thank you sir, may I have another.
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Marko,
The picture, and indeed the beverage itself, transcend words. It is not only an appropriate post, but one which beckons the reader to pull out a bottle of their favorite golden ale, dubbel, triple, or quad from its resting place and carefully uncork it. Such libations are best served between 7-10 degrees Celsius, and in the proper stemware, where possible. It's also advisable to have a prayer or other meditation handy while going through the ritual of decanting the bottle. It pays proper homage to the centuries' old tradition found in every bottle. Most beers brewed in the Trappist manner are Merckx nectar, passed down to us through His agents. It is appropriate that such an elevated group would imbibe these heavenly liquids. I may be a neophyte on the road, but I respect tradition. I come from decades in the dirt, riding and racing. I discovered 'cross and the Belgian bevies a few years ago, and haven't looked back. Cheers for a great post and despite having no tele, I'll be glued to my pc looking for highlights and results.
Make mine a dubbel!
Great one Marko, sometimes I feel the burden of being a teetotaler, eheheh...
Nice one Marko, I believe I can buy this fine looking beer in Hawaii and I will. Watching Paris-Roubaix will require it, I can't think of a drinkable French beer. Just finished watching Flanders on Versus, jesus that was heart attack material and I could have used a pint of Chimay to calm the nerves.
Was wondering about that, with all the talk about star wars a battlestar galactica reference slips through the gaps.
thought someone from 'round this way might have picked that one! No dissin' intended, just trying to get the mental image right! Humble apologies are made then...
@G'rilla
That is a fantastic story. Delirium I've never liked as much, the bottles are cool though.
@Jeff in PetroMetro
That too sounds like a wonderful memory. But at $14 a pint here I can't afford to have a bottle on hand all the time. I think frank and I must have drank 4 cases of Bleue when we were in Chamonix a few years back. That is when I truly fell in love with Chimay.
@Giacomo
Yes, it may well be possible that a drop of sweat from the brow of Merckx is in every bottle.
Had some whilst cooking and eating this dish (though I swapped chicken thighs for bunny as the family would not approve - it is superior w/ bunny though) with frites. Wife and daughter even humored me by watching the Ronde Van Vlaanderen during and after dinner. Great way to cap off a good ride - albeit on a beautiful day.
@brian
Would you adopt me? Or just let me hang with your family? Like, all the time?
@Marko
Like bikes, you will never regret buying a little higher than you wanted. I can't afford Chimay either, but I keep it on hand like a good bottle of wine or scotch.
There are special occasions in life that are made to be savored. Be ready for them at a moment's notice.
Nice piece! Worth another look at this.