Beer Reviews
Unlike the other Trappist breweries, Orval makes just one style of beer. Their ale is orange to brown in color with a wildly aromatic nose offering scents of grain, citrus, and coriander. The palate is medium to full filled with fruity notes accented by spice, dried hops, and wild flowers. Incredibly complex begging the next sip. This is a classic! 5 Stars
Tawny with amber highlights. Full body. Wonderfully rich aromas show a bananas and sweet caramel malt that follows through on the palate with rich malt sweetness and a warming bitter hop kick on the finish. A vinous, succulent style. 4 Stars
Dark tan with a reddish tint. Medium bodied. Exotic brown spice and cooked cherry aromas. This has clearly seen good oak aging. Carries a fine note of soured cherry, matched with some sweetness and a rich, woody character that lingers on the finish. Very harmonious and quite unique. 5 Stars
This fresh and hoppy, farmhouse style ale has a champagne like effervescence with a crisp but light on the tongue finish. Very true to the classic Belgian style offering both rusticity with the bright flavors of spring. A wonderful brew offered at a bargain price. 4 Stars
Deep blackish-brown appearance. Medium-bodied. Lovely sweet malt aromas are inviting. Rich sweet caramel malt entry has a nice roasted accent that lingers through the finish. Smooth, rounded and very drinkable. Fruity hop flavors show through, especially on the finish. Complex yet wonderfully balanced. 5 Stars
Dry with more than a hint of fresh wheat, sweet malt and balancing tart notes. It is very effervescent with persistent bubbles. The distinct, nearly coarse grain notes offer much intrigue and pleasure. Mildly earthy like great Champagne, and it goes down just as easy. 4 Stars
Bright pale golden color. Medium-bodied. Notes of tropical fruit, citrus, pale malts with mild bitterness. Pours with a big frothy white head. Zesty, lively entrance with subtle fruity flavors and a crisp edge through the finish. 4 Stars
Pale brown-red hue. Aromas show cocktail cherries and oak. Sweet, dried cherry flavors with lingering oak spice character. A very pleasant oak-aged fruit beer though this shows very mild lambic tartness. 3 Stars
Bright red-chestnut with a rich, creamy head. Aromas show a sweet malted barley character with notes of dried fruits, allspice, cardamom, and sour cherries. Rich caramel malt flavors foiled by brown spices and tart fruits highlight the palate. Texturally it is very pleasing as the dense beads of carbonation roll and build to a creamy sensation Complex and balanced. Quite hedonistic. 4 Stars
Pale yellow-gold with a lacy white head. Full-bodied. Hugely aromatic with apricots, spicy hops and pale malt. Full pale malt flavors are rich and intense, yet not sweet. Impressively complex, yet not remotely cloying or thick. 4 Stars