Orval Day (March 23, 2024)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by John_M, Mar 21, 2024.

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  1. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It's so odd to me how insular Europeans can be. I mean, it makes sense when I step back and recognize the deep history each country and culture has.
     
    #21 unlikelyspiderperson, Mar 21, 2024
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  2. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    Yeah, one of the core reasons why imports in the US were so popular from say the mid 90s though most of the 00s was the lack of options and focus on more traditional styles, but we witnessed this popularity wane as more and more: breweries opened in the US, American palates shifted to hoppy/booze bombs, and styles became meaningless during the rise of extreme beer.

    Anyway, long live Orval! I'll do my best to find a bottle.
     
    #22 Todd, Mar 21, 2024
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  3. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    For the interested student:



    Santé!
     
    #23 JackHorzempa, Mar 21, 2024
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  4. Beersnake

    Beersnake Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,884) Aug 17, 2013 California
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'll be joining if I can find one in Germany!
     
    #24 Beersnake, Mar 21, 2024
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  5. ChicagoJ

    ChicagoJ Grand Pooh-Bah (5,247) Feb 2, 2015 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Should this thread be moved to The Bar as an Online Tasting? This is the Granddaddy of Them All in terms of reoccurring tastings.

    @Todd

    Six Previous Orval Day Tastings:
     
    #25 ChicagoJ, Mar 21, 2024
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2024
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  6. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    [​IMG]

    I kid, I kid!!:stuck_out_tongue:

    Cheers!
     
    #26 JackHorzempa, Mar 21, 2024
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  7. CTBeer

    CTBeer Initiate (158) Jan 4, 2022 Connecticut
    Trader

    Hitting up DeCicco’s Brewster around noon for Orval and basketball.
     
    #27 CTBeer, Mar 22, 2024
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  8. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I have a 5-year-old bottle of Orval, that I will be opening past midnight. I don't have high hopes for it, to be honest, but should be interesting nonetheless.
     
    #28 Snowcrash000, Mar 22, 2024
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  9. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Please report back.

    I would be willing to bet that the Brett part of the fermentation will be helpful with this beer (if stored at cellar temperatures).

    I made an Orval clone a number of years ago; I just checked my logbook and those beers were bottled in January 2017 (Whoa, 7 years ago!). I just checked my case in the cellar and I have 8 bottles left. I will take one of those bottles out and put it in the fridge for drinking tomorrow. I will report back. I'm wondering if 7 years are pushing things here but we shall see what we shall see (it that an alliteration?).

    Cheers!
     
    #29 JackHorzempa, Mar 22, 2024
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  10. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    From my experience (previous Orval Day events), it should still be pretty good. 2 or 3 years of age has generally been the sweet spot when I've sampled older vintages, but even at 5 years of age Orval was still quite enjoyable. The Brett flavor components seem to subside as the beer ages, and are not very noticeable at 5 years of age.
     
    #30 John_M, Mar 22, 2024
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  11. Dethark

    Dethark Grand Pooh-Bah (3,820) Dec 28, 2020 England
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I'm out for a few beers tomorrow but one of the pubs we have planned to visit does stock Orval. Should be able to join in on the day.
     
    #31 Dethark, Mar 22, 2024
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  12. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I like Orval best either really fresh or at around 2 years old. The oxidation starts to set in at 3 years and was already too much for me at 4 years. It's just so hoppy, bitter and citrussy when fresh, while still having some of those esters going on as well, while it kinda turns into Saison as it ages, with those esters and brett notes coming through a bit more. But then at 3 years the oxidation starts to set in and overshadows all that.
     
    #32 Snowcrash000, Mar 22, 2024
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  13. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Well, it's the 23. in Germany now, so time to break out the 5-year-old bottle:

    [​IMG]

    I have to say that I'm very positively surprised. First off, I'm amazed how much of a luscious head this still manages at that age, while it's also nowhere near as oxidized as I had feared, with there being no sediment at all. For some reason, it actually feels less oxidized than the 4-year-old bottle I had last year, while also managing to hold on to a surprising amount of bitterness. Although it doesn't really feel that much more funky than I remember the 4-year-old bottle being either.

    I would have loved to try this next to a 2 or 3 year old bottle, but alas it was not to be. There's a noticeable, slightly sweet and caramelly, doughy and bready malt backbone to this, as well as some fruity, spicy esters and hints of funk and oxidation. Esters of green apple, pear and gooseberry are most noticeable, with perhaps just a touch of lemongrass as well and some clove and allspice. Underneath that are lingering echoes of dark fruit and red berries, with notes of plum, dates and red currant, as well as slightly funky notes with hints of wet, rotten hay touches of musty cheese, with a light, lingering tartness in the aftertaste.
     
    #33 Snowcrash000, Mar 22, 2024
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  14. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I went shopping with the intention of buying a bottle but alas struck out <sad trombone >. Hopefully tomorrow brings better luck.
     
    #34 TongoRad, Mar 22, 2024
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  15. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It would have to be 6 months or less to be seen in that light, imo. It can happen here in the US, but odds are probably against you, unfortunately.
     
    #35 TongoRad, Mar 22, 2024
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  16. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    In my previous post I 'referenced' the Brett part of the fermentation. There is something 'magical' about Brett being present in the beer that aids in the beer stability. I wish I could explain this phenomena in scientific terms but frankly I really can't.

    I am 'on the fence' on how well my seven year old Orval will taste (one bottle is presently in the refrigerator chilling down) but I will report back sometime tomorrow. I am hopeful that I can too state "I'm very positively surprised".

    Cheers to your surprise! :beers:
     
    #36 JackHorzempa, Mar 23, 2024
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  17. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Well, I can report that this has been the case for me.

    The European BAs (@Snowcrash000) have much better odds here.

    Cheers!

    P.S. The 'conflict' here is hop aroma vs. Brett funk. A fresh Orval will permit the hop aroma to be noticeable but an aged Orval will let the Brett 'horsey' character to be featured so....
     
    #37 JackHorzempa, Mar 23, 2024
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  18. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've had Orval at one month old and I can confirm that it's super-hoppy when fresh, a true Pale Ale, being quite zesty and bitter, but with some esters already being present as well.
     
    #38 Snowcrash000, Mar 23, 2024
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  19. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Do you have a preference here? A Pale Ale version fresh vs. an aged version with Brett character?

    Cheers!
     
    #39 JackHorzempa, Mar 23, 2024
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  20. Snowcrash000

    Snowcrash000 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,041) Oct 4, 2017 Germany
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I love Orval at all ages, that's what's so magical about it.
     
    #40 Snowcrash000, Mar 23, 2024
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