Orval

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

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

Holds a nice thin frothy head while body is a deeper copper. Aroma is nice, a sweet mix of spice and malt with a sweet folral perfum. Taste is somewhat confusing- a fizzy champagne like character and dryness with a slightly thicker body midway through also having a cereal quality that I can’t put my finger on, guessing that it was from the yeast. Definite hints of spice and delicate hops. Finishes crisp and light. The beer did get markably better in both taste in palatte the more I drank. At first I was almost put off by it, but by the end of the beer I liked it.

UPDATED: JAN 12, 2011 33cl bottle. Pours a cloudy light amber color with a huge soapy white head. Good lacing. Long lasting foam. Very funky smelling with a lingering floweriness and light bready notes. Taste is hoppy, a bit vinous, with a decise barnyard flavor to it. Medium bodied. Very complex brew. One of the all times best.

Pours a dark cloudy brown with thick white fluffy head. Highly carbonated. Aroma of yeast, citrus, raisins and mild hops. Rich mouthfeel, taste of dough, citrus, sweet with a nice mild hop backround to balance it out. Pretty damn good beer, with great balance

A- This is one beautiful beer. Cloudy translucent pale yellow body that pours with giant 3+ finger white head that slowly settles to 1 1/2 finger and with great retention. Plenty of lacing is left behind in the glass. S- Floral hops are noticed first followed by Belgian yeast and a peppery spice-somewhat of a funky ale yeast strain. T- Initial taste is dominated by carbonation but lots of Belgian yeast and hints of peppery spice can be detected. The finish is a kick of bitter hops and peppery spice that was surprising to me considering the style. Lingering is a mild hop bitterness and hints of yeast and peppery spice. P- High carbonation and medium weight body heavy in yeast and alcohol. Not as smooth as I expected on the swallow. O- I am probably harsh since this is a style that I like and it just didn’t live as far up to my expectations. It is actually good and easy to drink overall but it doesn’t stand out to me. I would it buy it much more often if it were more affordable. Serving type: bottle Reviewed on: 12-13-2007 05:42:15

11.2 oz bottle into Trappist glass. 2007 bottle. Funky aroma--smells like a sour ale. Brett, anyone? Perfume-like scent comes out after sitting for a bit. Pours yellowish brown with nice creamy lacing and a long-retaining off-white head. Taste is sour and a bit medicinal at first (this goes away fairly quick). Maybe a tad watery; fully carbonated. Nice aftertaste. This is the strangest Trappist I’ve ever had. If one were to personify all the Trappist ales and put them in a line, Orval would be the one with the tattered robe adorned with spiked tassles and a pierced nostril. You just know there’s a mohawk hidden underneath that hood.

Bottle pour into trappist glass. Aroma is top notch, candied fruits and toasted sugars. Pours a light bronzy copper with an excellent citrus tinged head that lasted throughout. Much dryer than the aroma would hint. Taste is citrusy, alcoholy, a slight flavor of scotch, surprising bitters. Aftertaste is actually much nicer than the taste itself. High carbonation makes and nice Belgian weight make for a pleasant mouthfeel. An ale I would definitely like to reinvestigate as my palate develops.

This was my first Trappist. Shocked, surprised to say the least. Slightly hazey orange gold with large foamy head. Fruity, sweet citrus taste. Enjoyed it more as I progressed. Alcohol content not overpowering. Every bottle seems a new experience. Complex for sure. Amazing.

11.2 oz. bottle. Pours a medium amber with a large frothy off-white head - great retention. Nose is sweet but with a hint of sourness. Hoppy orange and spice aromas. The taste is sweet and light but very complex, with yeast, fruit, and lots of spice. The finish is long, dry, and spicy with some more earthy yeast. Overall a really interesting and tasty beer.