Orval Trappist Ale

Brewer's Notes: Orval beer is a high fermentation beer. The ageing process adds a fruity note, which strikes a subtle balance between the beer’s full-bodied yet complex flavour and bitterness.

The beer was first brewed in 1931 and owes its unparalleled taste to the quality of the water, the hops and the yeast used. The brewery has selected very aromatic and unique hop varieties, which hark back to the first brewmaster of Orval, who hailed from Bavaria. The beer’s aromas are very pronounced while maintaining the right level of bitterness thanks to the English method of dry hopping.

The various stages of fermentation – combined fermentation with the original yeast and with wild yeast, followed by fermentation in the bottle – mean the beer must age for some time and requires numerous quality controls.

BeerAdvocate rates it as Outstanding, 1,181st overall, and the BEST Belgian pale ale.

Tasting Notes

December 31, 2020
I drank the last bottle in my cellar with pasta and shrimp with Meyer lemon and arugula. The beer rarely disappoints.

Rating = 6 glasses.

June 20, 2020
Orval has only one name, like Cher. Orval is both the name of the brewery and the beer. The only other beer brewed by the brewery is Petite Orval, a lower alcohol version of Orval.

Orval is a Trappist Belgian pale ale known for having some funk and sourness from Brettanomyces. It is complex and refreshing and goes great with food or by itself.  

Rating = 6 glasses.

June 5, 2020
Orval is an iconic Belgian Pale Ale, It is one of six Trappists ales. It is delicious and known for having a titch of sour from Brettanomyces. 

Rating =  6 glasses.

Dec. 25, 2009
Brewer: Orval Style: Belgian Pale Ale Tasting notes: (1103) A 1 yr. 10 mn. old bottle. Refreshing and good - mild ginger, a hint of pineapple, and brett. A solid 6. (1005) Complex, refreshing, and Brett. (1002) A 1 yr 3 mn old bottle. Oak and brett. Thought about downgrade to 5 glasses. (0911) A bottle @ Can Can, bottled 7 mns. ago. Went great w/ cheese plate. Comments: This brewery is one of only only seven that may carry the name “Trappist”. Rating: 6 glasses

July 9, 2009
Beer: Orval Brewer: Orval Style: Belgian Pale Ale Tasting notes: (0907) A bottle bottled 9 mns. ago. Complex and refreshing w/ a touch of Brett. Sippable and gulpable. May rate 7 glasses. (0704) A bottle in France and a bottle @ Edo Squid. Interesting, refreshing, and complex. Downgraded from 7 glasses. (0703) A combination of Belgian Pale Ale, IPA, and gueze. First taste was fruity, hoppy, and funky. Peppery bite at end increased as beer warmed. Comments: This brewery is one of only only seven that may carry the name “Trappist”. Rating: 6 glasses