Orval Trappist Ale - Brasserie d'Orval S.A.

Jason

Massachusetts

4.93/5  rDev +17.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Presentation: 11.2 oz vase like brown bottle, best before date stamped on the back.

Appearance: Orange amber (very light haze) in colour with a magnificent white head ... rocky and dense, leaving rings lace all over.

Smell: Hints of juniper, lemon and flowers.

Taste: Smooth and crisp with a lightish body though the mouth feel appears to be full up front. Touch of lemon rind with a fresh cut hay flavour, hop bitterness makes a snappy bite. Horse blanket and other medicinal phenols over take the tongue for a bit also. Tart from start to finish with hints of cider and other tart fruits. The finish seems to be everlasting in its dryness.

Notes: The sheer complexity of this fine ale is mind boggling ... one of the originals. This brew is all old school ... dating back to the 1100's. If you are into Belgian ales this will be a sure treat. Some soft cheese and dark rye makes a perfect pairing.

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2002 16:22:48 | More by Jason

BeerSnob1022

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-21-2013 17:09:07 | More by BeerSnob1022

BelgianBeerPope

Belgium

4.25/5  rDev +1%

05-21-2013 11:29:47 | More by BelgianBeerPope

aslamm75

Indiana

3/5  rDev -28.7%

05-20-2013 23:44:43 | More by aslamm75

sendbeer

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +1%

05-20-2013 18:07:47 | More by sendbeer

akttr

Michigan

3/5  rDev -28.7%

05-20-2013 03:50:58 | More by akttr

Jonada

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottled on October 6th 2011. Served in a goblet.

Appearance: Rusty orange in color with 1 finger of an off white colored head. Decent retention and lacing. Body is very hazy, with moderate amounts of visible carbonation streaming throughout the glass.

Smell: Banana, phenols, candi sugar, clove, spice.

Taste: Belgian yeast, honey, floral, spice, heavy phenolic notes, and some very slight funk.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, soft mouthfeel. Medium fine carbonation. Finishes dry, with a slight bitterness.

Overall: One of the classics in the beer world. It's not mind blowing, and it won't knock your socks off, but it's an extremely well crafted beer that I could easily drink every day.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 02:42:08 | More by Jonada

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-18-2013 21:13:20 | More by Photekut

OldsmarTap

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -22.8%

05-18-2013 19:19:50 | More by OldsmarTap

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-18-2013 12:16:09 | More by NJB145

Blashawright

Texas

4/5  rDev -5%

05-16-2013 22:39:07 | More by Blashawright

jborgschulte

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

05-16-2013 18:37:30 | More by jborgschulte

inanity

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-16-2013 00:38:39 | More by inanity

jimctin

Ontario (Canada)

5/5  rDev +18.8%

05-15-2013 18:00:22 | More by jimctin

apanloco

Sweden

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-15-2013 17:38:22 | More by apanloco

Nolen12

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

05-14-2013 19:16:18 | More by Nolen12

CoryR

Oregon

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

05-14-2013 19:15:11 | More by CoryR

SonOfOdin

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-14-2013 18:45:15 | More by SonOfOdin

rboinski

California

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-14-2013 14:44:01 | More by rboinski

KVNBGRY

Florida

4.75/5  rDev +12.8%

05-14-2013 13:05:46 | More by KVNBGRY

danipp

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5%

05-14-2013 02:11:28 | More by danipp

Dcunicelli

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -16.9%

05-13-2013 19:23:58 | More by Dcunicelli

NorthSideSean

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-13-2013 17:37:41 | More by NorthSideSean

SMM0606

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-13-2013 01:40:55 | More by SMM0606

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3.25/5  rDev -22.8%

05-12-2013 17:11:36 | More by mikeburd1128