 pootzboy (871), Calgary/ Kitchener, Alberta, Canada
Nov 24, 2004
I realize I may have engaged in a self flagellating sin (and changed the taste of this saintly nectar) by serving in a vessel other than the Orval chalice (as demanded by the label)...but I was more concerned with getting a bottle that wasn’t skunked from poor handling as I hear is so common...should be a moot point as the bottle date was 4 weeks ago.
It poured into my tulip glass a murky honey-gold with a lovely frothy cap that laces wonderfully...This is a fine smelling brew with lots of complex aromas: Horse blanket, tangerines, medicine, perfume, walnuts...nice nose.
Wow!! Creamy mouth feel...medicinal hopping that pilsners only WISH they could hold in balance with complex fruity spices and a heady nice malt wallop...all wrapped in this great funky yeast taste that defies description...the finish is mercifully slow so you can catch all the different tastes this brew has to depart....with a pleasant warming.
Despite what the monks say this beer is good enough to drink from the bottle. ;-)
This is a world class unique old school ale that sets the standard for complex taste and great drinkability.
Slayer85 (457), Firenze, Italy
Oct 9, 2008 To celebrate my 100th Belgian rating. January 2007 bottle. An unclear medium amber beer with a big, rocky, persistent and lacing white head. Incredible aroma, very yeasty, but also malty and hoppy with notes of orange peel, flowers, grass, barnyard, spices and fruits. The flavour has a medium sweetness and a medium sourmess and is perfectly balanced. Hoppy, with again orange peel, many spices and fruits and the fanatstic Orval yeast. Medium body, lively carbonation, very dry long finish with high bitterness and medium acidity. Too much complexity to be described. Perfect aroma, incredible taste, great mouthfeel and highly drinkability make this beer almost pefect. Different from every beer I have had. Highly underrated, this is truly a world classic.
JonnyDr (112), , South Yorkshire, England
Oct 9, 2008 Murky amber beer. Decent carbonation and short lasting white head. Malt, fruits and hops lead to a dry spicy finish. Lovely.
plovmand (676), Helsinge, Denmark
Oct 8, 2008 Bottle. Murky light amber colour with a long lasting off-white to beige head. Aroma is spicy and fruity and the brett is in front without being dominating. Complex dry bitter bit sour taste with fruity and citric hoppy notes. Medium bodied. One of a kind.
swooper (97), Kladno, Czech Republic
Oct 5, 2008 alcohol, bread, cereal, nuts, amber, hazy, rocky head, frothy, very bitter, medium body, bitter, long finish, average carbonation,
rpjonesga (1), Mableton, Georgia, USA
does not count  Oct 4, 2008 I have been holding on to this particular bottle of beer for about a year. The beer pours a wonderfully golden haze with a head that lingers nicely. The aroma has hints of pine with a bit of licorice (at least for me). It would be difficult to find any flaws in this beer. Balance is the key. Overall, this Belgian beer isn’t as sweet as others that I have enjoyed which sets it apart. I would highly recommend this beer - enjoyed in the proper Orval glass of course!
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