Orval

Little vertical tasting with theisti – bottles 3,9,12 months old – 3mo straight from the Abbey, 6mo from Bier temple-Bruges, and 12mo from a local store in CO. All 3 pour a mesmerizing orange with a big fluffy head. The appearance makes me crave the beer, prettiest brew out there. Smells of light citrus, hops and wonderful bready funk – the more age, the more complex and bready the smell (duh). Tastes like the monks meant it to. Dry, hoppy, funky brett with some bubblegum mixed with spice and hops. I want more before I’ve even finished the first swallow. Finishes crisp and dry to complete the ’must have more if this’ vibe. For me – Orval just reeks of Belgium. Quintessential beer – looks, smells and tastes amazing, and it’s clearly alive - each one is different and every bottle opened generates the anticipation of what will be new about this one. ---------- RE-RATE FROM June, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------ Found a 3 year old bottle at, of all places, the Intercontinental in Hong Kong. With 3 years age on it, this is a totally different creature. All the great orval flavors are still there (tart/yeast/dryness/bitterness), but have really come together and are basically indistinguishable in and of themselves. The hop profile is, of course, well-subdued now, but there’s still a nice dry bitterness to finish, and the sour/tart yeast flavor is more of a wrapper than a distinct taste, if that makes any sense. Quite possibly the most unique brew out there and certainly at or within a slot of my personal favorite. Next stop - a 5yo bottle...

I found this stashed away in an apartment I rented while staying in Brussels. Thanks to whomever left it. I’ve read good things so I was excited to try it. Poured well with the frothy head, a bit darker in color. Smelled sweet of honey and hay. However the aftertaste of sour grapes came through. I was not expecting this, nor did I enjoy it. I know this guy is popular but I did not really care for it.

First time drinking Orval, much drier than expected. some comments include sour finish. sour finish is present but very subtle. About 10 srm color, very clear. Good aroma, very different for a belgian ale. Lighter, easier trappist product. good beer

Bottle, 20/06/2008. Clear abmer colour, foamy rich head. Aroma has honey, fresh fruits (apple, ciderlike). Taste is very dry and has darker fruits, spices, and sour finish.

Frothy clouds of cream on a hazy, orange body. Spring bouquet aroma. Dry apricots, peaches, honey, and a nice hoppy finish rounded off by soft sour fermentation.

Pours a pretty pale amber, with a persistent snowy white head, that is incredibly lacy. Sour, yeasty nose, with that unique Orval floral character, and a fruitiness that I can best describe as underripe apricots. Palate is soft, yeasty, with a gentle but firm hop background. Soft indeterminate fruitiness throughout. Long, sour finish.

Light orange/amber with dense long lasting white head and very visable carbonation. Musty, lightly acidic/sour aroma. Strikingly sharp, tart bite with a dry finish. Flavor of aged hops. Difficult to describe this unique beer. Can take a bit to acquire the appreciation but once you do, you’ll understand why this is a classic.

bottle from midway mart in denton, tx. poured a hazy amber with a white head that lasts forever and leaves ample lacing. aroma of orange citrus, spice, a touch of cinnamon, bread, and caramel. flavor was spice, cinnamon, fruity notes, alcohol, a little dryness. body was light-medium with very high carbonation. not bad but glad i finally grabbed it up.