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Noire de Chambly

Canada·Belgian Dark Ale
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Unibroue's Noire de Chambly is a classic Belgian Dark Ale brewed in Quebec's Champlain Valley, presenting a deep mahogany body with a rich, creamy head. The aroma reveals subtle notes of dark fruit, mild spice, and a gentle yeastiness characteristic of Belgian fermentation, while the palate delivers a harmonious balance of toasted malt sweetness with delicate chocolate and caramel undertones. The finish is smooth and warming, with restrained bitterness that allows the complex malt character and fruity esters to shine through elegantly.

ABV
6.2%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter21 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
bananayeastydark fruit
banana
yeasty
dark fruit
fruity
chocolate
clove
Aroma
The nose reveals a layered Belgian character with prominent dark fruit esters—ripe plum and dried cherry—combined with subtle spice notes of clove and black pepper from the yeast profile.
also:malty,spicy,caramel,toasty
not found:hoppy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Noire de Chambly

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany hue with excellent clarity and a rich, creamy head that displays strong retention and fine lacing along the glass. The color reflects substantial malt depth while maintaining luminosity in the core, characteristic of well-crafted Belgian dark ales. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated, supporting a persistent foam collar.

deep mahoganycreamy headexcellent clarity

◌ Aroma

The nose reveals a layered Belgian character with prominent dark fruit esters—ripe plum and dried cherry—combined with subtle spice notes of clove and black pepper from the yeast profile. Gentle toasted malt sweetness and a whisper of banana emerge underneath, while the overall impression remains restrained and complex rather than aggressive. Mild yeastiness ties the aromatic components together without overwhelming the delicate balance.

dark fruitclove spiceBelgian yeasttoasted malt

◐ Taste

The palate opens with a full-bodied, smooth entry featuring pronounced banana and yeasty notes that define the midpalate experience. Toasted malt sweetness anchors the flavor, while chocolate and caramel undertones develop gradually, creating a harmonious interplay between malt character and fruity esters. Restrained bitterness—characteristic of the 21 IBU level—surfaces without disrupting the malty, slightly spicy finish that lingers pleasantly.

full-bodiedbanana-forwardchocolate-caramelsmooth

◑ Finish

The finish extends with a warm, lingering quality enhanced by the moderate 6.2% ABV, leaving a subtle sweetness and gentle spice impression. Bitterness fades gracefully, allowing malty and fruity character to dominate the aftertaste without harshness or drying sensation.

warmingsmooth fademalty aftertaste
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
83
Taste
85
Appearance
84
Finish
78
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Goblet

The wide mouth and heavy base promote head formation and channel rich aromatics toward the nose. Traditional for Belgian strong ales.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Noire de Chambly

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About Belgian Dark Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Belgian Dark Ale?

Belgian Dark Ale is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Belgian Dark Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same banana, smooth, yeasty character as Noire de Chambly will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Belgian Dark Ales in hopIQ

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