 Beershine (1440), Miami Beach, Florida, USA
Sep 3, 2007 Updated: Sep 18, 2008
This beer seriously can’t be more fun. I’ve had quite the relationship with it. When I first tried it I thought the bottle was bad because it tasted too much like Pine Sol. When I tried it the second time the same thing happened. When I tried it again it started to dawn on me: that was the way it was supposed to taste. Then I realized I needed to reckon with the beer and engage it fully. I asked Orval to teach me its secrets, or else I would risk losing out on understanding it. I drank Orval again and again and again all the while without really liking it. One day, BOOM, it hit me like an epiphany. I have loved Orval ever since that moment. Orval is simply exceptional, and proves that brewing is an art. Its moderate alcohol content also makes it the kind of beer one could and should drink regularly. It’s dry, almost shockingly so because of its hop astringency. The yeast shines through every time. Visually stunning, the head is perfect and couldn’t be a lovelier looking brew. A finely honed, fascinating, and classic beer that stands up to what you would not expect it to in a lineup of heavier bigger brews. That tells all for now...
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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