Orval

Brewed by Brasserie dOrval
Style: Belgian Ale
Florenville - Villers-d.-Orval, Belgium

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

08 Bottle of Orval shared by Jared @ Woodshop Classix. You were probably one of the few people actually sticking to the theme! A true classic, and a vintage no less. Pour is a fairly clear hay yellow with an almost pulpy orange juice appearance -- only much lighter. Delicate sea foams form, which is always a plus with an aged bottle, but they quickly rejoin the body with almost no retention or lacing. A light creamy film swirls over the top of the beer like creams in coffees. Smell is a little bit of sour dough with some gobs of honey, spices, and perhaps juniper (struck me as gin-like). Taste is really light and mellow -- perhaps some faded orange or lemon zest, but it’s so very light. Mostly bready biscuity malts that seem too light and mellow to ever rise in an oven. Still very crisp and drying though. I thought this drank pretty well considering the age, I didn’t think it would be quite like this. This really hit me quite differently from what I can remember fresh, but I do know that I’ve enjoyed this beer in both forms. I surprisingly good beer to age, but I’d love to try this ultra fresh on location someday.

had this from draft and in a chalice type glass. Had a good head to it along with a really good dark orange color nicely aromatic with tones of oranges, pears, some malts, and a slight touch of citrus hops. very well balanced and aromatic the aromas are backed up by a real smooth and delicious medium/full body. good depth on the flavors as well with the flavors mostly being more oranges and bits of citrus hops+malts its been a while since I’ve had an orval. This reminded me quickly that my next one should be a lot sooner

Finally got around to tasting this one. It was a very nice beer but different than I expected. It seemed to have a lot in common with the saison style with a very dry finish. There was a slight hoppy flavor to it which also wasn’t expected from such an ale. Very interesting and I highly recommend to fans of the saison style.

Aroma is a slightly less musty than many in this style with a hint of hop aroma and hints of fruit, most notably banana. The taste is crisp with a slight spice and hiding in the background is a slight sour from the brettanomyces. Overall this is a close to perfect beer.

Odd but ‘spicy bubblegum’ first came to mind when I first tried this brew. The flavors in this one are many rolled into one and each vying for their own moment in the spotlight. Intense but very well-balanced and very much enjoyed and savored. This is definitely a brew to sit back and enjoy ice cold and then savor the flavors as they change while the brew slowly warms. This is also a very aromatic brew that had me wishing they would make a dangly air freshener made with this scent! (yeah… odd, random thought there) This is a great brew to try if one has not gotten into Belgian Pale Ales.

Bottle bought @ Systembolaget and consumed on September 21. Pours yellowish brown with a big white head. Smell is a bit funky with some citrus notes, there is also some almonds and figs. Taste is dry, pleasantly bitter and a bit sour. There is a bready maltiness and some lemon. I also detect some dried fruit but it’s hard to pinpoint the different tastes with this much going on. Incredible and unique beer.

4/5 in darkness. Smells hoppy and fruity. Tastes sour, sweet, abit oak and malty with a similar finish.

330ml bottle. Cloudy, brownish orange pour with a good amount of fluffy white head. Herbal hop aromas with some spice - flavors of earthy brett, slightly sour, sweet, and bitter. Very unique.