Orval Trappist Ale. 6.2% abv. Hazy honey color. Two finger of thick large-bubble head. Outstanding retention and superb lace. There was a half-inch of head all the way down. Nose of sweet fruit-berry, notes of honey, banana, white cake. Front taste of bittersweet stone fruit, light caramel, cloves, tangy light tropical on the back. Aftertaste is tangy, bitter fruity hops to start, dank earthy hops on the sustain. Medium body. Mouthfeel is warm-hot, carby, sticky on the tongue.
This is an outstanding beer. The complex aroma is prominent throughout, as is the wonderful rich head. The flavor profile is equally complex, ever changing, tall and bright. So many different tastes come through: sweet, dry, fruity, earthy, herbal, bitter, dank. This masterpiece of a beer has been brewed since 1070 and is only one of two beers offered. A classic that you absolutely must try. Strongly recommended.
From the brewery:
"Lovers of Orval's beer bear witness to a fidelity that continues to amaze us. They seem to have influenced their friends to such an extent that this so typical beer is in very high demand. As a result, both stores and taverns are running out of this beer too often and too quickly! The birthplace of 'Orval' beer continues to be Orval's Brewery, located within the walls of the monastery of Orval, where Trappist monks live and are the shareholders and manager of the company. The production facilities, completely renovated in the course of the last fifteen years, represent the most modern technologies of brewing science. They are finely tuned for quality and respectful maintenance of the original methods of production which have been in use in this same location for almost eighty years."
[source: orval.be]
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