Really, what more can be said about Orvalles? Lovely balanced earthy hops. A bit of bread crust malt. Touch of Brett

Bottle from Whole Paycheck. Wine glass @home. 14/12/2021, 6.9%. Purty, tall, almost bubble-less, lathered head. White pepper, dry rosemary, good bread. Smells great. Dusty, flour-y, saline, dirt dry crust. Not my favorite example of Orval. No detectable brett. Frothy, easy. Need an older bottle. Notes from April 2009 Orval Appreciation Day. Ommegang anniversary glass. Bottled on 20/02/2008. Hiding in the basement since late September. Glass fills with suds on my first attempt. Stiff, cream peaks, orange amber body. Successfully decanted. Patchy lace. Smell is first off, intense bitter melon rind & grapefruit zest. Then, soured sauvignon blanc & straw. Touch of sulfur. Lemon/lime acidity. Peppery yeast. Carbonation is light, almost microbeaded. Taste is grassy & just barely soured. Very dry & mild, acidic hops upfront. Medicinal, plastic-y, & lacking the ripe fruit flavors I get in fresh or exceedingly old bottles. Just a lot of acid. Alcohol is too big. Saltine, cottonmouth finish. This one took a bad turn. Usually one of my favorites. Destined to be reviewed again.