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

nhindian

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

An interesting beer as it is only one of 7 Trappist beers in the world, and the only one to purposely use Brett to sour the beer.

A - The beer itself comes in a wide, unique bottle with the label strewn around the neck. Pours a light, goldenrod color with a deep amber middle. Builds a beautiful 3-fingered head that last for ages, and what doesn't stick around forms a nice, foamy cap. Intermittent lacing the glass.

S - The Brett really adds a ton of funk to this beer. The nose is all sour, barnyard, grassy funk with just a hint of the traditional Belgian yeast qualities. Fruity and spicy, this beer really mixes the senses keeps the nose guessing. Smells light and refreshing.

T - Taste is fruity, floral, and sour. The tart fruits shock the mouth, but the spice and orange bitterness cleanse the mouth and overall its moderately dry. Heavily flavored in a lemon, grass, herbal context and overall it has a pretty dense flavor profile. Unique and complex.

M - Mouthfeel is medium to heavy bodied and ample carbonation. Lots of tiny bubbles rise to the surface to replenish the head and you can really feel it in the mouth.

D - Drinkability is moderate. The taste is light, dry, and crisp, with a relatively low ABV, but I can see the sour and fruitiness keeping this one from being night-long drink.

Overall I'm a bit torn on this one. I really appreciate the uniqueness of this, but I expected a bit more from a Trappist ale. It's not as complex as some of the darker Trappists, and if given at a blind tasting, I'd probably assume this to be an American take on the Wild style. I'm glad to have tried it but not sure if I'd seek it out in the future.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 23:54:15 | More by nhindian

Janeinma

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

05-25-2013 15:21:36 | More by Janeinma

magpieken

Australia

4/5  rDev -4.8%

05-25-2013 14:47:23 | More by magpieken

JackOfAll

United Kingdom (Wales)

3.5/5  rDev -16.7%

05-24-2013 18:01:55 | More by JackOfAll

Tjvan2

Iowa

2.75/5  rDev -34.5%

05-24-2013 12:31:30 | More by Tjvan2

desint

Belgium

1.5/5  rDev -64.3%

05-24-2013 11:13:19 | More by desint

robertmitchum

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

05-24-2013 09:17:08 | More by robertmitchum

MikeDre

California

3.5/5  rDev -16.7%

05-24-2013 04:55:41 | More by MikeDre

mtrog313

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

05-24-2013 01:41:13 | More by mtrog313

broob

Mississippi

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

05-23-2013 18:21:29 | More by broob

BeerSnob1022

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

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

BelgianBeerPope

Belgium

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

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

aslamm75

Indiana

3/5  rDev -28.6%

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

sendbeer

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +1.2%

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

akttr

Michigan

3/5  rDev -28.6%

05-20-2013 03:50:58 | More by akttr

Jonada

New Jersey

4.01/5  rDev -4.5%
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 +7.1%

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

OldsmarTap

Florida

3.25/5  rDev -22.6%

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

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

05-18-2013 12:16:09 | More by NJB145

Blashawright

Texas

4/5  rDev -4.8%

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

jborgschulte

Florida

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

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

inanity

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

05-16-2013 00:38:39 | More by inanity

jimctin

Ontario (Canada)

5/5  rDev +19%

05-15-2013 18:00:22 | More by jimctin

apanloco

Sweden

4.5/5  rDev +7.1%

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

Nolen12

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -10.7%

05-14-2013 19:16:18 | More by Nolen12