(Bottle 33 cl) Since Orval tuned up the alcohol with 1% in ’93 or ’94 they unfortunately also started cutting some edges making the beer loose some character and a bit of hoppiness. Still I believe this is an outstanding world classic - although not a beer for everyone. Dark amber with a huge, fluffy head. But the sweet sensation in this is the extremely sophisticated spicing which is truly unique and unlike any other beer. 300493 & 050394

(bottle) Orange-brown body with a fluffy lightly tanned head. Very fruity and floral hoppy aroma with some herbal elements. Bitter dry flavour, light to medium bodied. One of my favourite Abbey beers. Initially malty taste with notes of caramel and cinnamon, which turns into a spicy, bitter hoppy & very lasting dry finish. Complex and absolutely well-rounded. A great beer !

As far as beers go, this is a masterpiece of artistic triumph. Complex, clean, complimentary and quenching. The history of the Abbaye D’Orval is enough to give it fame, but the beer itself should make the Benedictine Monks of this Trappist monastery very proud. Tasted from the bottle, at the Belgian beer café, Perth (6.2%ABV Feb ’03). Poured into it’s own glass (a little too cold, though), a lovely big fluffy beige head formed and clung like glue to the glass. The beer itself a hazy caramel orange. Sweet and generous citric, floral and acidic nose, very yeasty and balanced with biting spicy phenols. Fruits like peaches, mangoes and apricots mingled in the leafy and bitter ’hoppy’ aroma, as it warmed in my hands. Very little malt to be found, but just an absolutely lovely bouquet that followed through into the mouth. Extremely dry across the palate, biting but not puckering, clean and grassy. Low vanilla notes, but dominant hops push this to the background. Orange and lemon zest, mangoes, apricots and other fruity esters, and leafy herbs bounce around the mouth, and follow into the long quenching and bitter swallow. Very well rounded, extremely balanced and big in flavour. A truly unique experience and one I am sure to come back to. Cannot fault it. One of the best!!

Bottled. Copper coloured, big white foamy head. Aroma is pretty complex but atleast I found it spicy and hoppy with hints of yeast. The nose was a bit like some wines. Flavour was almost the same as aroma, mainly spicy and hoppy with hints of yeast. Also noted a bit grassiness/mould in the flavour. Tastewise a very rich beer, and very wellbalanced. Good stuff.

This beer is more widely known as Orval Vert . Orange-amber, slight haze; huge off-white head. Typical but very intense grapey Orval nose, hops (dry), leather, Brett - including horsey finish - bit of lunaria, herbal-spicey. Bone dry - but light - fruity, grapey taste, rosewater flavour without the sweetness, different herbal flavours, slightly grassy. Quite light MF, but more filled than expected. Watery feeling as fine spring water. Ultra-long typical hop aftertaste (more taste/flavour than bitterness). Very strangely a very pleasing beer. Something to raise (healthy) children on. Or Brits.

Far different from any other beer I have had. I was expecting a malty Belgian ale, but this is more like a gueze or saison. Huge white head; cloudy orange. floral aroma. Flavor is highly complex. Sour with herbal characteristics, but not so sour as a gueze. Some barnyard qualities. Very different; very good.