Orval

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

VALOR ! Served at the perfect temperature as opposed to the chilled examples I have been enjoying over the last few months. This has been my favourite beer until starting my Belgian Odyssey and this unique beer still doesnt disappoint. At a warmer temperature the pour was still electric amber, carbonating and pffing, with a yeasty head. The smell is stupefying and almost as alive as the Rodenbach Grand Cru. The taste is sharp, and sour right to the end, with some orange citrus and a dryness that makes you beg for another. These beers are readily available in large Tesco supermarkets. Stock up, or head to the brewery which is where I plan on being in under 2 weeks

Bottled on 04/05/2004. Poured at 12C. Argubally the best smelling beer I’ve ever had. Thick murky brown/orange with a large off white cap that settles down just enough to cover the top of the beer. What’s cool is watching the carbonation hit the middle of the glass and gradually push the existing head to the sides. Some lacing later on in the beer. Interesting shadows in the beer when put up to a pot light. The aroma is just insane and very prominent. You have to be thinking "WOW". It’s very complex with more than these qualities: fresh, very fruity with cherry (1) and plum (2) dominating, caramel, soft but eye opening spice and I swear I’ve noticed chocolate - yeah, right at the end of the smell. I’ll note that I’ve poured this into a HUGE red wine glass (60% full), my new glass of choice for quality beers. Flavour does not dissapoint, but it doesn’t live up to the aroma. Solid sweet malts, drying yeasts, slight sour raisin (I think) - a fruity sour none the less, slight spice. There’s some sediment too, not much (I’m kind of suprised with that). Medium bodied. Very smooth, soft and almost too easy to consume; some carbonation. Very dry and slighty tart finish. No bitterness - long lasting aftertaste though. Looks like I cellar more again...this time right to the end date. Man, still got that aroma stuck in my head

Bottled on: 08/01/2008: Strong and lusciously sweet and fruity aroma of hard candy, strawberry and blueberry syrup. Hazy amber, huge yellowish head. Geysers of carbonation roll upward from the bottom of the glass. Well balanced flavor of hearty malt, sweet and tart apple and pear. A nice mustiness lingers on the palate. Alcohol content is magnified rather than concealed. ABV listed on the label as 6.9% and seems stronger than that. Not terribly complex, but should never be changed. Classic!

Bottle. Very good beer, is in same league as other Trappist brews. Although Orval only makes one beer for distribution, it is great. Need to try aging one of these bottles.

330 ml bottle in Belgium. First thing is do not drink this beer cold. Second thing is find an older bottle if you can this stuff has a five year shelf life. I feel like I am talking about wine here so I will stop. The bottle had was only 3 months old. On to the beer, off white thick head with wonderful lacing. Plessant green grape aroma. Nice deep golden brown color. Flavor explodes in your mouth with a different taste as it moves. A quickly fading sour taste. Nice bitter mellow flavor. Not my style of beer but something different for a change is nice.

Bottle. Another beer I had many times and I am now finally rating. Unfortunately, I like the glass more than the beer. It pours cloudy orange with big fluffy off-white head. Great aromas of floral hops and yeast. Has a crisp hit of hops, and nice spicy notes, but far too sour for my taste.

Once again proving monks know how to make great beer. This brew had a very nice hazy burnt orange colour to it. The smell took me completely by surprise with the sent of spiced grape juice felling my nose. I made the mistake of not waiting for this beer to warm up to the proper temperature before I started drinking, so the first couple of sips tasted quit strong of alcohol and yeast but after it warmed up it became sweeter with floral aspects and some caramel malts. This is a very enjoyable beer just remember to wait for the beer to warm before drinking.

Aromas of sour fruit and very crisp.. almost like "sprite"... Pours a cloudy Orange with amazing fluffy white head that last the whole time. Ample carbonation. Extreme crisp and balanced sensation going on the mouth with this brew. Flavor is Slightly sour with some citrus, massive candy sugar and a very pleasant hop bitter fade on the back.. This is truly amazing. I love when Hyped beers live up to the Hype!