Orval

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

Original rating: A step down from some of the other trappists only due to its "less exciting" style. Fantastic Belgian Ale, though. Poured a hazy unfiltered amber orange color with a head that made pouring the bottle a challenge. Aroma was somewhat floral and yeasty, but also citrusey. Flavor was mildly sour with grapes and apples, somewhat of a cross between a saison and a witbier. A nice lingering dry and bitter (hops and yeast) finish. Re-rate after at least two more separate experiences at the WIne Loft in Flagstaff, and another bottle at home: This sucker is a gem. The aroma is so complex and wild, tons of stuff going on, floral notes, a distinctive and unmistakeable grape touch, yeast, perfume (in an unoffensive way, though), just lots of stuff. The flavor is as complex, very drinkable, dry, acidic, funky, bitter, even fruity sweet in there too, just about any and everything a beer could deliver on, all melded together in a fashion that is delectable (I think that’s the word, who cares if not, it’s just great). Not sure why I didn’t re-rate this thing after my other two experiences, I guess I didn’t realize how boring of a rating I had in here on this one. Great, Great, Great, stuff.

Pours with an orange body topped by a medium thick head with lots of lacing. The aroma and flavor are sour and citrusy with a touch of barnyard and a little minty spiciness. Medium bodied, slightly warming and a touch dry.

Bottled 11/04/06, aged 20 months. Third time is the charm! The magic of Orval finally hit me! After reading so much about how wonderful this brew is, I stared to wonder if there was something wrong with me, as I simply didn’t "get it". Well, today I have been born again. Identical in appearance to the previous two bottles, the difference here is clearly due to the wonders that nearly two years of Brett conditioning ca do. Similar in fruit and spice character to the second rating, this version is infinitely more dry, funky, and tart. The intensity of the beer seems to have grown significantly, yet its drinkability has never been better. So enjoyable, I could hardly put the glass down to contemplate things. Clearly, it is only inconsistency that keeps this beer from top 50 status, as this most recent version was absolutely stellar.

Bottled 7/05/07, aged 5 months. Rated 7/5/6/4/14 3.6. My second encounter with Orval was completely different, and infinitely more enjoyable than the first. Gone are the sharp metallic tendencies, replaced by bitter Brett goodness and perfectly complimentary spices of coriander and clove. Floral hops are more pronounced than before, as is honey sweetness. Minerals are still present, but more subdued. Perhaps it is the age, the temperature, or my palate that has changed. I would venture to guess it is all three. One thing is for sure, I have a newfound appreciation for Orval. Still, I can’t fathom how so many can call this a 5.0 beer. Even a good bottle, which I seem to have found here, isn’t anywhere near perfection.

Bottled 7/11/06, aged 11 months. Rated 5/5/4/4/11 2.9. Pours a translucent golden-honey brown. Large off-white head with good lacing. Prominent aromas are fig, spices, and minerals. Flavors are the same, but also include bitter orange and a decent amount of hops. Appearance is excellent, but the flavor let me down a little. It was a bit to metallic for my liking. I expected it to open up as it warmed like many Belgians do, but it never happened. Not a strong recommendation.

Fredagsbaren på Biologi, Aarhus Bottled Orange with white top Very bitter Spicy and orange notes

Big head, amber. Aroma and especially the flavor is something like sticking your finger in your ear at tasting it afterwards.

Bottled, Beirodrome, Islington, London. Tan brown body, with a shiny white head. Sharply flavoured, sour & tart. As fly points out the beer changes dramatically with its temperature. Enjoyable and challenging rate.

11.2oz bottle dated 4/1/06. matilda vs. orval. pours a beautiful clear deep amber with big head. appearance is identical to matilda. aroma is very oaky, with orange peel, sublte barnyard smells, brett, and stale hops. flavor is spicy (coriander), very yeasty, oak, and brett. very subtle, dry, complex, and delicious. mouthfeel is a pleasant fizzyness and finishes extremely dry. this beer is more mellow than matilda, has an oakyness that matilda doesnt, and finishes drier. i could drink this all day, every day. thanks to matilda for playing but orval wins!.4.3.

11/12/07, bottled 6/30/06, the brett has really come out but a bit too much as this is really dry and not very complex. i think a bit too much age for this beer with brett.3.8.

12/10/07, bottled 6/30/05. a big bretty aroma with apple and green grape peels. flavor is almost bone dry but slightly odd and off putting fruity flavor with apples and pears. a sharp and fizzy but full mouth feel. i will no longer be aging orval.3.6.

(330 ml bottle). Cloudy deep golden with an enormous creamy head. Intense, overwhelming but lovely aroma of ensilage, horse stable, leather and spicy fruit cake. Spicy complex flavour, hops stand out, dry aftertaste. Clearly a world class beer.