Online Tasting: Orval Day 2025!

Thanks @Beersnake for starting this.
Joining in with another 2022 Orval bottled April 21st, in fridge since purchase 2 years ago.
Classic brett, dried citrus peel, bread, touch of stone fruits and Autumn leaf nose, lively acidity, malty and earthy dried fruit palate, hop bitterness still pronounced.



Cheers!

 

Happy Orval Day!

A June 2023 bottle - tasting delicious as usual!
I love this beer!

 

I was so sure I had one or two of these in the cellar but I was wrong! Definitely need to pop out and get one.

 

This is an Aug 2024 bottle. Not bad. I did drink a Nov 2023 bottle a few days ago and that one was showing signs of spectacularity. Might go back to that store for more of it, if my long-needed, long-delayed Dry January 2022 continues to not get rolling. Cheers to all, enjoy the day!

 

Cafe Brussels is one of my favorite places in town, and I always go there for Orval Day to have lunch. Its always a small, quiet cafe that has 12 Belgian taps, and all the bottles you can get in the area. The same owner is always there, she immigrated with her family from Belgium and started this place over 40 years ago, with wonderfully slow as molasses service, that I love. Well, I guess my little secret spot is out, because every table was full today, and they were all drinking Orval...which meant they ran out, and I couldn't get any

Oh well, that just means I had a La Chouffe, and a big pot of mussels (with a creamy Roquefort cheese sauce).

Sorry for the non Orval post, but I always love plugging this place here. Its a really unique spot in Houston.



Well, with my Orval lunch denied, that just means I'm back in my courtyard. I always have at least a few bottles on hand, its like an emergency Orval just in case I need one



Bottled on 6/6/2024

I love the fruity esters, which are bright, spicy, apples, figs, dried citrus, and a dusty/musty basement funk. There is just enough earthy bitterness that is still lingering as well. Wonderfully delicate carbonation that starts off crisp, then becomes very fine and ultra smooth. Love it.

 

Bottled 9/4/24. This is a great day to enjoy it.

 

The International in Philly had this poster up. But I am on a mission today to drink Milds for the local March Mildness passport, so unfortunately today is not the day for an Orval for me.

 

I really thought I had a bottle too. But there isn't one in my fridge and if I do have one here it's hidden somewhere. I'll have to do better next year.

 

Thanks @Beersnake for setting this up!
Having a "fresh" version from September 2024. Getting a touch of musty lemon funk, sharp bitterness, and some apple in my post sip aspirations. I prefer WCIPA style PAs but found this edition too bitter (changed my score from 4.26 to 4.11). Still a very nice brew. Look forward to seeing how the other two bottles evolve!
Cheers!
Tom

 

At Great Northern in Bellingham with a bottle from 12/09/23 (they use European dating, d/m/yr) right?

 

Sitting outside having an Orval. Cheers.

 

A beautiful pour with lots of foam!

Cheers!

 

It’s been a while. I forget how much foam you get from a pour. I should drink this beer more often.

 

I’ll join with one.,. Brewed 8/29/2024. Splended. Cheers!

 

Up next is a bottle from 1/24.

 

Curious to hear what vintage and how it is drinking.
Cheers!
Tom

 

Oh, damn, I spaced on the date.
I think I drank the one I had stashed. To the beer store......
Might have to celebrate late?