Orval Trappist Ale
Brasserie d'Orval S.A.
- From:
- Brasserie d'Orval S.A.
- Belgium
- Style:
- Belgian Pale Ale
Ranked #1 - ABV:
- 6.2%
- Score:
- 93
Ranked #2,257 - Avg:
- 4.2 | pDev: 12.38%
- Reviews:
- 2,555
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Sunday at 09:50 AM
- Added:
- Sep 18, 2001
- Wants:
- 394
- Gots:
- 1,055
SCORE
93
Outstanding
93
Outstanding
Orval beer is a high fermentation beer. The ageing process adds a fruity note, which strikes a subtle balance between the beer’s full-bodied yet complex flavour and bitterness.
The beer was first brewed in 1931 and owes its unparalleled taste to the quality of the water, the hops and the yeast used. The brewery has selected very aromatic and unique hop varieties, which hark back to the first brewmaster of Orval, who hailed from Bavaria. The beer’s aromas are very pronounced while maintaining the right level of bitterness thanks to the English method of dry hopping.
The various stages of fermentation – combined fermentation with the original yeast and with wild yeast, followed by fermentation in the bottle – mean the beer must age for some time and requires numerous quality controls.
The beer was first brewed in 1931 and owes its unparalleled taste to the quality of the water, the hops and the yeast used. The brewery has selected very aromatic and unique hop varieties, which hark back to the first brewmaster of Orval, who hailed from Bavaria. The beer’s aromas are very pronounced while maintaining the right level of bitterness thanks to the English method of dry hopping.
The various stages of fermentation – combined fermentation with the original yeast and with wild yeast, followed by fermentation in the bottle – mean the beer must age for some time and requires numerous quality controls.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by ragesought from Germany
4.02/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.02/5 rDev -4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Super interesting! Full of earthy spices, like I'm tasting the whole of a woods in autumn. There was a very pleasant bitter aftertaste from the hops. Love that it's Trappist, love that it ages.
Sunday at 09:50 AM
Reviewed by willelw
3.92/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
3.92/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Amber colour, creamy head.
Aroma: tart, malt, cherries, sour apples.
Taste: bitter dry character, apple, malt, some yeast. Floral and some light berries.
Mar 27, 2025Aroma: tart, malt, cherries, sour apples.
Taste: bitter dry character, apple, malt, some yeast. Floral and some light berries.
Reviewed by Sinte
4.27/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.27/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle 0.33 L.
Hazy amber body with a huge, rocky, tan head, fully lasting with a very good lacing; high density of tiny particles.
Malty (some caramel) and hoppy aroma (bitter orange) with notes of alcohol, spices, fruits (cherry?) and wood.
Flavour is mainly sweet at the beginning, with a bitter character that becomes more evident in the long-lasting, dry finish.
Light-to-medium body with a dry texture; lively carbonation; light alcoholic warming in the finish.
Great "meditation" beer, as complex as a liquor...
Mar 27, 2025Hazy amber body with a huge, rocky, tan head, fully lasting with a very good lacing; high density of tiny particles.
Malty (some caramel) and hoppy aroma (bitter orange) with notes of alcohol, spices, fruits (cherry?) and wood.
Flavour is mainly sweet at the beginning, with a bitter character that becomes more evident in the long-lasting, dry finish.
Light-to-medium body with a dry texture; lively carbonation; light alcoholic warming in the finish.
Great "meditation" beer, as complex as a liquor...
Reviewed by dr_lager from Washington
4/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Had this, well some of it anyway, at Orval Day at the Beer Parlor in Walla the other day. It's a pretty decent beer and we got free glasses. A bit malty, a bit spicy, a little bitterness. Very drinkable, maybe a bit thin for me, but very good nonetheless.
Mar 26, 2025
Reviewed by MaltsOfGlory from Oregon
3.23/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
3.23/5 rDev -23.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
330ml bottle
Pours three massive fingers of fluffy white head into my snifter. Retention is not an issue. Lacing is good. Body is a deep copper, decent clarity, with an absurd nucleation. Looks like a Belgian beer.
Nose has fruity brett notes of bubblegum and cherry, a touch of citrus, and maybe a little spice. Smells nice.
Flavor is very thin. Some toasty malt, brett is subtle - faint bubblegum and citrus, tobacco in the finish. This morphs pretty drastically from the aroma, any flavor quickly fades and this gets pretty flavorless.
Carbonation is through the roof. Very light bodied, very dry, and very bitter. Overall an abrasive mouthfeel that doesn’t drink well.
Not really sure why people like this, this is quite bitter with a super bland flavor. Things do not improve with temperature.
Mar 24, 2025Pours three massive fingers of fluffy white head into my snifter. Retention is not an issue. Lacing is good. Body is a deep copper, decent clarity, with an absurd nucleation. Looks like a Belgian beer.
Nose has fruity brett notes of bubblegum and cherry, a touch of citrus, and maybe a little spice. Smells nice.
Flavor is very thin. Some toasty malt, brett is subtle - faint bubblegum and citrus, tobacco in the finish. This morphs pretty drastically from the aroma, any flavor quickly fades and this gets pretty flavorless.
Carbonation is through the roof. Very light bodied, very dry, and very bitter. Overall an abrasive mouthfeel that doesn’t drink well.
Not really sure why people like this, this is quite bitter with a super bland flavor. Things do not improve with temperature.
Reviewed by AndyMD from Florida
3.31/5 rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev -21.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.25
Pouring a deep amber hue with a thick, frothy head that lingers beautifully, this beer immediately captivates with its inviting aromatics. The nose offers a harmonious blend of toasty malt character, complemented by vibrant citrus, delicate floral undertones, and a subtle hint of clove spice. On the palate, it delivers an intense and full-bodied experience, where rich malt sweetness intertwines with bold, complex flavors. The finish is assertively hoppy, leaving a satisfying, lingering bitterness that balances the beer’s depth. Not my favourite style but a masterfully crafted brew with remarkable structure and staying power.
Mar 10, 2025
Reviewed by Blogjackets from Ohio
4.12/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Cloudy brown body with a Duvelesque huge foamy white head with good lacing.
Aroma is bubblehum and Brett yeast with apple notes.
Taste has a substantial malt base that's balanced by a delightfully bitter hop bill. A bit funky and sour, but not overly done. Lingering bitterness on finish.
Good mouthfeel with strong carbonation.
Feb 21, 2025Aroma is bubblehum and Brett yeast with apple notes.
Taste has a substantial malt base that's balanced by a delightfully bitter hop bill. A bit funky and sour, but not overly done. Lingering bitterness on finish.
Good mouthfeel with strong carbonation.
Reviewed by LeinenkugelDrinker from Nevada
4.74/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.74/5 rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Bottled on 12/09/23
Look: Cloudy amber with a super high off-white head that has great retention. Nice lacing.
Smell: Bready yeast upon the first pour turns into bubblegum as @Victory_Sabre1973 noted.
Taste: Sweet fruit is masterfully balanced with delicate malt flavors and bitter yeast.
Feel: Very full bodied but also superbly light on the tongue. Slightly dry finish.
Overall: A true masterpiece of a beer. I should definitely purchase it more often.
Feb 12, 2025Look: Cloudy amber with a super high off-white head that has great retention. Nice lacing.
Smell: Bready yeast upon the first pour turns into bubblegum as @Victory_Sabre1973 noted.
Taste: Sweet fruit is masterfully balanced with delicate malt flavors and bitter yeast.
Feel: Very full bodied but also superbly light on the tongue. Slightly dry finish.
Overall: A true masterpiece of a beer. I should definitely purchase it more often.
Reviewed by Victory_Sabre1973 from Minnesota
4.08/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev -2.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
From a 12.2oz bottle. Bottled on 08/07/2021, best by 08/07/2026
How have I not had this before? Poured in to a Duval glass because of the similar style. There was a great hiss and smoke upon opening the bottle. Holy hell! the carbonation is off the charts here, and I could only pour a small amount into the glass. It will take a long time to pour the whole thing into the glass, even with an easy pour. Dark golden in color with some awesome lacing when the head dissipates.
Quite a bit later, when I finally got it all in the glass, the aroma is just full on bubblegum from the yeast. Sweet smelling, yet tart notes to it. Very fruity aroma
The flavor is complex to describe. I know the flavors are from the yeast used. I get bubblegum. I get a pepper flavor. I get sweet fruit flavors in the beer.
Body is damn awesome from the yeast. I am enjoying the bubbly feeling. Full bodied.
This is a classic I wish we could get locally again.
Feb 09, 2025How have I not had this before? Poured in to a Duval glass because of the similar style. There was a great hiss and smoke upon opening the bottle. Holy hell! the carbonation is off the charts here, and I could only pour a small amount into the glass. It will take a long time to pour the whole thing into the glass, even with an easy pour. Dark golden in color with some awesome lacing when the head dissipates.
Quite a bit later, when I finally got it all in the glass, the aroma is just full on bubblegum from the yeast. Sweet smelling, yet tart notes to it. Very fruity aroma
The flavor is complex to describe. I know the flavors are from the yeast used. I get bubblegum. I get a pepper flavor. I get sweet fruit flavors in the beer.
Body is damn awesome from the yeast. I am enjoying the bubbly feeling. Full bodied.
This is a classic I wish we could get locally again.
Reviewed by The_Snow_Bird from Michigan
4.14/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
4.14/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4
Pours a hazy orange brown color with a large super thick head. Smell is of yeast and orange peel. Bready kind of taste is what I’m getting along with hints of malt.
Jan 29, 2025
Reviewed by Qbert from Illinois
3.61/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.61/5 rDev -14%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Kind of golden brown with an enormous tan head. Aroma is somewhat floral, bready, yeasty, and a bit metallic. Taste is bread, clove, and a bit of honey. Pretty light and crisp. Easy to drink but not a beer I love. Feel like I'm the only one on this site to rate this below 4.
Jan 23, 2025
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