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The renowned Belgian Trappist brewery, Chimay, is marking its 175th anniversary with the launch of an exclusive commemorative beer: Chimay 175. This celebratory Trappist ale artfully combines fresh citrus notes, spicy undertones, and an elegant, balanced profile, serving as both a tribute to the brewery’s history and a vision for its future. The limited edition beer will be released in Sweden on December 5, 2025, through Systembolaget, with only 3,000 bottles allocated for the Swedish market. Each 75cl bottle of this authentic Belgian brewing culture will be priced at 125 SEK.
The beer is brewed by the monks of Scourmont Abbey, who for 175 years have maintained a steadfast commitment to tradition, quality, and charity. Located just outside the small village of Chimay in southern Belgium, the Notre Dame de Scourmont Abbey has united faith, work, and brewing expertise for over a century and a half. It is the birthplace of Chimay, one of the world’s leading Trappist beers, consistently recognized internationally for its unique character, elegance, and flavor perfection.
The Trappist monks at the abbey live by the principle “Ora et labora” (prayer and work), adhering to a reformed branch of the Cistercian Order. The tradition of Trappist brewing dates back to St. Benedict in the 6th century, who mandated that monks must work to sustain themselves and aid others. To this day, the brewing process is closely monitored by the monks, with daily tastings ensuring the highest quality standards—a strict requirement for bearing the protected designation “Authentic Trappist Product” (ATP). Chimay is one of only six Belgian breweries and one of just twelve worldwide permitted to carry this exclusive label.
Chimay’s history began in the summer of 1850 when a small group of monks settled on the desolate Scourmont plateau, near the French border. Through hard work, they built their monastery and cultivated the rugged landscape for farming, eventually adding cheese and beer production. The first Chimay beer, now known as Chimay Première (or Chimay Red), was brewed in 1862. Then, as now, the beer relied on a natural brewing process featuring live yeast, with a second fermentation occurring in the bottle. Crucially, the brewing still takes place within the monastery walls, guaranteeing the beer’s authenticity and quality. For the monks at Scourmont Abbey, brewing is more than just a craft; it is part of their vocation, and all profits generated by Chimay are channeled towards charitable causes and the maintenance of the monastery’s activities.
The new anniversary ale, Chimay 175, is a lighter, golden Trappist Blond with an alcohol content of 6.5%. Its aroma is rich and inviting, displaying notes of citrus, red apple, cardamom, coriander, and vanilla. The flavor is equally complex, presenting a fruity, fresh, and spicy character with a lively balance between the tartness of citrus and the warm, spicy tones. The finish is dry, clean, and elegant, echoing Chimay’s classic signature while wrapped in a new, golden mantle. The recommended serving temperature is 4–6 °C.
This exceptional limited edition beer, packaged in a 75 cl bottle, is available exclusively through Systembolaget under Article Number 1050101, and its limited release underscores its nature as a genuine collector’s item for beer enthusiasts and a profound salute to 175 years of Trappist legacy. Cheers!
