The original Chimay Blue is one of Belgium’s most celebrated Trappist ales, and this is our best clone of it. Rich, spicy and fruity with a superb copper colour and heaps of malt density, it’s a beer that commands your full attention. German and English hops provide a structured, moderately bitter backbone, and Belgian ale yeast delivers the complex fruity, peppery character that defines the style. At 5.8–6% ABV in a standard 18-litre batch, it’s already a serious Belgian strong ale — but for those who want to go all the way, an optional upgrade using 500g of soft brown sugar at reduced volume brings it close to the original’s 9% ABV. This is a kit we’ve spent years perfecting, and it shows.

What’s in the box?

Everything needed to brew 18 litres of this Chimay Blue-inspired Belgian strong ale: pale malt extract (3.2kg), crushed roasted grains, brewing honey (220g), German and English hop blend, Belgian ale yeast, and full brewing instructions. To brew the higher-ABV version, you’ll need to source an additional 500g of soft brown sugar separately.

Brewing Notes

• Style: Belgian Strong Ale / Dubbel
• Ideal Fermentation Range: 15 - 20°C
• Colour EBC: 60 -70 Copper Brown with a light creamy head
• IBUs: 35 moderately bitter
• Original Gravity: 1.050 – 52 (at 15lt total volume)
• Final Gravity: 1.010 – 1.012
• ABV: 5.8 – 6 %
• Volume 18lt
• Recipe Style: Malt Extract with a grain addition Beer Kit

Tasting Notes

• Hop Aroma & Flavour: Earthy, spicy, herbal floral notes
• Appearance: Amber copper -coloured with a creamy off-white head.
• Mouthfeel: Creamy medium-full body

Perfect for:

Fans of Chimay, Westmalle, or other Belgian Trappist ales who want to brew their own version at homeBrewers looking for something more adventurous than a pale ale — a beer that genuinely rewards patience and conditioning timeAnyone who wants to try a legitimate high-ABV Belgian ale without the complexity of all-grain brewing

(Optional extra add 500g of soft brown sugar & reduce the volume to 15L to bring the alcohol up close to the original 9% ABV)

faq'S
What style of beer is this kit?

This is a Chimay Blue-inspired Belgian strong ale — a rich, complex, bottle-conditioned Trappist-style beer with fruity esters, spicy phenols, and a warming malt character that fans of the style recognise immediately.

Can I really get this close to 9% ABV?

Yes, with the optional variation. Adding 500g of soft brown sugar and reducing the batch volume to 15 litres brings the ABV close to the original Chimay Blue’s 9%. This is noted on the kit as an optional extra. The standard 18-litre batch yields around 5.8–6% — which is already a genuinely strong ale.

How much beer does this kit make?

The standard batch makes around 18 litres — enough for approximately 24 x 750ml longnecks or 54 x 330ml stubbies. The high-strength variation at 15 litres makes proportionally less.

Does this kit require any extra ingredients?

The kit includes everything for the standard batch. For the higher-ABV version, you’ll need to add 500g of plain soft brown sugar (not included). The kit notes include full instructions for both approaches.

How long does this beer take to be ready?

Around 10–14 days in the fermenter, then at least 2–4 weeks in the bottle. This style genuinely improves with conditioning time — if you can hold off for 4–6 weeks, you’ll be rewarded with a much smoother, more integrated result.

Is this kit suitable for someone new to home brewing?

Yes — despite the complex flavour profile, this is a malt extract kit with a straightforward brew day. Someone new to home brewing will find it very achievable. The main requirement is patience during conditioning.