Dorée (also known as Chimay Gold) is a Belgian Pale Ale brewed by Bières de Chimay, and for the purposes of this craft beer review, the ale was served in a snifter from a bottle.

Appearance

The Pale pours a cloudy yellow ochre and is topped by an inch-thick cap of puffy white foam that shows fair retention. A thin, soapy film continuously tops the ale and gobs of lace clutch the sides of the glass. Its effervescence is visibly apparent.

Aroma

The aroma is spicy with notes of coriander and pepper, yeasty with fruity esters, and backed by a hint of bready malt.

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Flavor

The palate begins with a taste of doughy wheat bread and biscuit. Hints of pineapple, pear, and apricot pop in the middle. A mild bite of hops lingers briefly beyond the finish offering a taste of tart lemon with hints of grass and earthy wood.

Mouthfeel

Its feel is smooth — almost creamy — on the draw and then becomes prickly carbonic on the backend. Medium-light body with high carbonation. Finishes dryly with a slight astringency.

Overall

This Belgian Pale Ale seems very much like a Witbier or German Hefeweizen. The Chimay Gold Dorée presents nicely but its head retention could be better. Its feel is light, lively on the tongue, and absolutely wonderful. The aroma and palate are quite pleasant but lack the complexity of the better Chimay ales. And that’s fine. For what this brew is, it’s quite good. It’s sessionable, dry, mildly bitter, and easily crushed. The Dorée makes for an excellent thirst quencher.