Orval Day - March 20, 2021

Always up for some!

 

Absolutely! Especially since it falls on march madness opening weekend, great combo!

 

Of all the beers that came, spent a lot of time in town, and then disappeared, Orval is probably the one that I miss the most.

 

Present and accounted for.
Put me down.
I always have Orval in my "cellar".

 

Ouch.

At least it ages incredibly well if you're ever able to pick up a haul on a road trip.

 

Probably will be on my way to North Dakota for some ice fishing that day, so, not sure I can make it. Never have had that beer - Yeah, I know, crazy.

 

The 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race is that day, so I'll be in front of the tv most of the day and evening. Orval, sourdough bread and funky cheese will be there with me for some of it.

 

I’ve had orval about 50 times and I have never had it from a chalice. How different is the experience between a chalice and a tulip/teku/wine glass?

Also with Belgian chalices, is there any variation in bowl shape/size in a chimay or westy or Orval?

 

I think I’m in. I have a pretty fresh bottle and a real old bottle. I get my second vaccine late that Thursday so it will depend on how I feel Saturday.

Fall before covid, this spot closed down to turn into a non Belgian style place. No idea if Fergie is still working on that. Hope all is well with him and Tom.

This was a December 18 bottle consumed September 19

Enjoy

 

If I had to guess I'd say that their glass is designed more with pouring in mind than the drinking experience. It's an explosively carbonated beer, and even though there isn't a ton of head retention like in Duvel there is certainly an initial burst. So the wider rim just let's the gas escape easier.

That's just speculation on my part, but it just may be interesting to get a few bottles for Orval Day and put it to the test with different shaped glasses.

 

Ohh. See I never thought of that. The large opening lets it de-gas. A many many Easter’s and thanksgivings I’ve had people unfamiliar with beer/Orval heavy pouring ending in Orval disaster(spilt Orval)

 

The Chalice opens the beers surface area letting you take in all of the complex aromas while taking a sip.
You really taste with your nose.
Pinch your nose and take a sip, you'll know what I mean.
Shoot, amongst my vast glassware collection I have a Bud Light chalice (Don't judge, it was free and thick glass), that I use for my belgians. Or any complex beer for that matter if it's the one in reach.

 

Sounds like a great excuse to buy some Orval. I think this year I will finally buy more than just a bottle for the day and start aging a few!

 

Ah, Orval... my first serious beer crush. Was obsessed with it when I first discovered it. Even though I balked at the then steep price of $2.25 per bottle (early-mid 80's) it was money well spent.

 

I’m in if I can swing it. Last time I had Orval was on orval day at a bar in 2018 I believe. It’s around here.

 

I can count on one hand the number of times I've had Orval. That needs to change. And gives me 20 days to procure an Orval chalice...

 

The masses celebrate the good St. Patrick while the aficionados get Orval three days later.

Win/Win