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

psuKinger

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into my Chimay chalice. This will be my first experience with Orval.

A: Pours a hazy orange color, darker than most Belgian Pales I've personallyu come across, with a huge (2+ finger) lively white head on top. 4.5

S: Yeasty, spicy, and lemon-zest shine through. 4.0.

T: Smooth at first, with notes of yeast and earthiness. Hops add some bitterness in the middle, and the taste finishes with a lingering lemon-zest that accompanies the hops nicely.

This is particularly well-balanced. Not quite as *bright* as Bruery Mischief with it's hops, but has a stronger earthy/lemony presence throughout. 4.5

M: Light and smooth, with lively carbonation levels. The finish? It almost disappears, leaving just a hint of earth and lemon zest on the tongue. Rather pleasing. 4.0

D/O: I can see why this beer gets such good reviews. It's very well balanced, full of flavor, and easy to enjoy. It didn't hold up quite as well as I would have hoped as it warmed, but I could follow this up with another and be happy. I will be repeating. 4.5

Serving type: bottle

07-28-2011 00:45:36 | More by psuKinger

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

jl28r1

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-12-2013 13:50:20 | More by jl28r1

Dogzbone

New York

3.75/5  rDev -10.9%

05-12-2013 01:43:46 | More by Dogzbone

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +6.9%

05-11-2013 21:14:41 | More by MinorThreat

sharpski

Oregon

4/5  rDev -5%

05-11-2013 20:19:42 | More by sharpski

Donsmitty

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -5%

05-11-2013 12:38:20 | More by Donsmitty

IrishKevin

Massachusetts

4.34/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a bottle into a tulip glass. Bottled on 10/24/12 best by 10/24/17.
Not super fresh, but good enough.

Extremly huge rocky head.

S: Spicey pepper aromas.

T: this is an extremly complex beer. Spicyness is ver promininent, the aftertaste is dry and slightly tart. Subtle maltiness through out.

O: haven't had this one in a long time and it didn't disappoint. There is a lot going on in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 02:34:48 | More by IrishKevin

Caudalie

Quebec (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev +1%

05-10-2013 14:41:02 | More by Caudalie