Orval-inspired beers?

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by OneDropSoup, Mar 25, 2014.

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  1. OneDropSoup

    OneDropSoup Pooh-Bah (2,213) Dec 9, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Orval's become one of my favorite beers. I've noticed a number of beers which seem to point directly to Orval for inspiration, either explicitly (the brewer has said 'this is my take on Orval'), or through a strong resemblance. A few:

    ToOl/Mikkeller collaboration Ov-ral - a DIPA with brett (kind of obvious with the name)
    Tomme Arthur/DeProef Reserve Signature Ale
    Green Flash Rayon Vert
    Russian River Sanctification (Vinnie has said Orval is his favorite beer, & this is pretty similar)

    It's interesting & cool that such a singular beer has spawned such overt homage. It's like "Summertime", a unique & classic song that's been covered & reinterpreted time & time again with different variations. Can you think of any other commercial brews paying homage to Orval?
     
    #1 OneDropSoup, Mar 25, 2014
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  2. Domingo

    Domingo Grand Pooh-Bah (4,252) Apr 23, 2005 Colorado
    Pooh-Bah

    While not a regular beer in their line-up, the New Belgium Le Fleur Misseur was brewed as an admitted tribute to Orval.
     
    #2 Domingo, Mar 25, 2014
  3. caseyoharaa

    caseyoharaa Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2009 California

    It's my understanding that It's Alive by Mikkeller is supposed to be his take on Orval.
     
    #3 caseyoharaa, Mar 25, 2014
  4. edmaher

    edmaher Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2008 Illinois

    Matilda for GI is a tribute to Orval
     
    #4 edmaher, Mar 25, 2014
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  5. DrinkSlurm

    DrinkSlurm Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2007 New York

    Bruery Saison de Lente comes to mind right away...pretty sure it has nothing to do with Orval though (yes, its a saison), but is always reminds me of it
    id also second Rayon Vert
     
    #5 DrinkSlurm, Mar 25, 2014
  6. Dupage25

    Dupage25 Savant (1,044) Jul 4, 2013 Antarctica

    What I came to say. The previous label for Matilda was a little more explicit in this regard, as it recounted a legend about how the Orval abbey was (supposedly) founded, or something to that effect.

    EDIT: this is the story they had on the label
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orval_Abbey#The_legend_of_Orval
     
    #6 Dupage25, Mar 25, 2014
  7. RblWthACoz

    RblWthACoz Initiate (0) Aug 19, 2006 Pennsylvania

    I always thought New Glarus R&D Golden Ale (now retired) was pretty Orval-esqe; though I never heard that it was inspired by it, etc.
     
    #7 RblWthACoz, Mar 25, 2014
  8. edmaher

    edmaher Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2008 Illinois

    I think that was the best beer label I have ever seen. I just loved those original GI reserve labels.
    [​IMG]
     
    #8 edmaher, Mar 25, 2014
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  9. michman

    michman Pundit (751) Oct 14, 2005 Illinois

    man i love orval. this has me jonesin hard right now. might have to take a drive to the bottle shop after work!
     
    #9 michman, Mar 25, 2014
  10. Giantspace

    Giantspace Grand Pooh-Bah (3,043) Dec 22, 2011 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Rayon vert , not made anymore right now but supposed to come back as a large format bottle. Anything you find now will have good age on it.

    Enjoy
     
    #10 Giantspace, Mar 25, 2014
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  11. terrapinfan88

    terrapinfan88 Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2009 Virginia

    I had Walk about pale ale from flat 12, reminded me a lot of Rayon from Greenflash, which is based on/inspired by Orval if I'm not mistaken. All 3 great beers.
     
    #11 terrapinfan88, Mar 25, 2014
  12. ChrisMon02

    ChrisMon02 Pooh-Bah (1,757) May 2, 2010 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Rayon Vert is one of my absolute favorites. Love Orval but it hurts my wallet and I usually by 1-2 bottles at a time. I wish there where more breweries that offered a good-great version of the style AND provided ample distribution at the same time. It's a unique style that I really enjoy but not much to choose from when craving it.
     
    #12 ChrisMon02, Mar 25, 2014
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  13. russpowell

    russpowell Grand High Pooh-Bah (8,292) May 24, 2005 Arkansas
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Might make me revisit Matilda...
     
    #13 russpowell, Mar 25, 2014
  14. OneDropSoup

    OneDropSoup Pooh-Bah (2,213) Dec 9, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    At my regular store, a bomber of Matilda goes for less than a bottle of Orval.
     
    #14 OneDropSoup, Mar 25, 2014
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  15. CowsandBeer

    CowsandBeer Initiate (0) Sep 24, 2012 Nebraska

    STILL haven't had it yet. :flushed:
     
    #15 CowsandBeer, Mar 25, 2014
  16. devlishdamsel

    devlishdamsel Initiate (0) Aug 1, 2009 Washington

    Revisited it in Michael Jacksons the great beers of Belgium ( super recently). That would probably be an amazing tour, not to mention I don't think ive ever had the beer aged or served properly. I plan to change that.
     
    #16 devlishdamsel, Mar 25, 2014
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  17. OneDropSoup

    OneDropSoup Pooh-Bah (2,213) Dec 9, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Love Great Beers of Belgium. I found myself coming back to it & re-reading the Trappists chapter in preparation for a Trappist tasting I was hosting. The food photos in there are so cool.
     
    #17 OneDropSoup, Mar 26, 2014
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  18. OneDropSoup

    OneDropSoup Pooh-Bah (2,213) Dec 9, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    OH-kay, that makes sense. Just read in The Brewmaster's Table that the countess was Matilda of Tuscany, thus the name of the Goose Island tribute.
     
    #18 OneDropSoup, Mar 26, 2014
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  19. sweetLew

    sweetLew Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2009 California

    The Prairie/Omnipollo Potlatch collaboration is like an Orval with the added bonus of Mosaic dankness. Monks would have quit the life and gone on Dead tour if they had this way back then.
     
    #19 sweetLew, Mar 26, 2014
  20. CalgaryFMC

    CalgaryFMC Initiate (0) Aug 2, 2013 Canada (AB)

    I love Rayon Vert. Its a polarizing beer but I find it even more bretty and assertive than Orval, with a wicked complexity of flavor. Fruity, leathery, floral, soapy, funky, and bitter all at once.
     
    #20 CalgaryFMC, Mar 26, 2014
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