Slightly hazy dirty orange colored body with a pillowy white head. Yeasty Belgian aroma of malt with some light spice and fruity apple. Dry start that finishes with some tartness. Highly carbonated spritzy mouthfeel.

Cloudy orange pour with small tight-bubbled head. Spicy aroma with notes of cinnamon and fruit. The flavor was on the spicy side — some clove, some cinnamon — with a peppery, mediciny tanginess at the finish. It presents both sweet and bitter from beginning to end. The alcohol was also obvious. Dry and bubbly reminiscent of the texture and sensation of champagne — though heavier in the body. Long finish. If it wasn’t for the distinct reminder of medicine, I would have liked this more than I did.

Bottle 330ml Sainsburys (I’m taking full advantage of their 25% off Belgian beers) Sipped from an Orval Chalice. Dense amber colour, with a frothy white head. Very aromatic with spices and hops dominating very pleasant beer slight citrus notes but quite dry in the finish. Certainly deserves much of the respect and ratings that it is given but there are better Belgian beers.

Bottle, 330 ml, bottled on: 22.07.2004, expiry: 22.07.2009; eye: abundance of head, dark orange in colour, hazy, very slight effervescence; nose: floral, hops, spices, citrus; mouth: fruit, yeast, sour, long bitter finale

Bottle at Blå Rock Cafe in Tromsø poured into an original Orval glass. Pale orange colour. Thick white lasting head with lots of dimples. A bit oily aroma. Some rummy flavours. The palate is acidulous. This is a refreshing, fruity and aromatic drink. Very good, indeed.