Orval Trappist Ale – Brasserie d’Orval S.A.

Orval Trappist Ale.
Orval Trappist Ale. A wonderfully created ale. My brother shows up with a couple of bottles of Orval Trappist Ale and asks me if I would like to try some.  Of course I would!  This is the first time I tasted this beer, so I was happy that he had some back-up bottles. When poured into the glass, you notice right away that this is a very active brew.  High carbonation with tiny bubbles creates a huge head. The head is foamy, almost frothy in texture and has an off-white color. It dissipates slowly and ends up hanging around forming a thin layer on the top of the beer.  It also leaves a fair amount of lacing on the side of the glass.  The body color is an orange tinge to it and a hazy clarity. The aroma of this beer has hints of lemon, white wine notes and honey in the background.  Quite pleasant, really.  The best part is tasting.  Right up front, there is a nice feint bitterness from the hops that also lends a subtle spice.  I also get an earthy taste from the yeast and some pleasant oak notes.  Orval finishes with a nice dry finish and then white wine flavors sneak in at the very end. Orval Trappist Ale is a very enjoyable beer and I will definitely buy some for myself.  If you ever have the chance to buy a bottle for two, do it. Your beer-loving taste buds will thank you. ABV = 6.2%

The Brewscale Score

APPEARENCE - 9
AROMA - 9.4
TASTE - 9.4

9.3

Calices

10 is perfection, and is almost unattainable. Anything below a 6 is undrinkable.

9
Orval Trappist Ale.

Orval Trappist Ale. A wonderfully created ale.

My brother shows up with a couple of bottles of Orval Trappist Ale and asks me if I would like to try some.  Of course I would!  This is the first time I tasted this beer, so I was happy that he had some back-up bottles.

When poured into the glass, you notice right away that this is a very active brew.  High carbonation with tiny bubbles creates a huge head. The head is foamy, almost frothy in texture and has an off-white color. It dissipates slowly and ends up hanging around forming a thin layer on the top of the beer.  It also leaves a fair amount of lacing on the side of the glass.  The body color is an orange tinge to it and a hazy clarity.

The aroma of this beer has hints of lemon, white wine notes and honey in the background.  Quite pleasant, really.  The best part is tasting.  Right up front, there is a nice feint bitterness from the hops that also lends a subtle spice.  I also get an earthy taste from the yeast and some pleasant oak notes.  Orval finishes with a nice dry finish and then white wine flavors sneak in at the very end.

Orval Trappist Ale is a very enjoyable beer and I will definitely buy some for myself.  If you ever have the chance to buy a bottle for two, do it. Your beer-loving taste buds will thank you.

ABV = 6.2%


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Ales · Beer Reviews
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Comments

  • What style of beer are we making this weekend? Which day? Sunday?

    Ken May 21, 2014 5:20 am Reply
    • A saison on Saturday.

      Brian May 24, 2014 9:01 am Reply

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