Orval Day (March 21, 2026)

Discussion in 'The Bar' started by bambiere, Mar 17, 2026.

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  1. John_M

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

    I tell out of state friends that if they want to visit a beer bar that captures the essence of Portland, visit Beermongers or Roscoe's.
     
    #21 John_M, Mar 18, 2026
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  2. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Beermongers felt like a clean, friendly Toronado—and Toronado is my favorite beer bar, so that’s high praise! I was in Portland for a few days last fall, stopped in one night and had such a great experience I came back the next.
     
    #22 elNopalero, Mar 18, 2026
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  3. bambiere

    bambiere Savant (1,055) Aug 25, 2025 Pennsylvania

    Definitely looking forward to your thoughts.
     
    #23 bambiere, Mar 18, 2026
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  4. zotzot

    zotzot Grand Pooh-Bah (5,352) Feb 22, 2015 Vermont
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I need to stock up…
     
    #24 zotzot, Mar 18, 2026
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  5. bambiere

    bambiere Savant (1,055) Aug 25, 2025 Pennsylvania

    Bottles dated 20October2024, so still young. :wink:
     
    #25 bambiere, Mar 19, 2026
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  6. MikeWard

    MikeWard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,023) Sep 14, 2011 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If I wasn't abstaining at the moment, I'd be at Sabatinis in Exeter Pa. 12pk caressing sold at cost.
     
    #26 MikeWard, Mar 19, 2026
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  7. MikeWard

    MikeWard Grand Pooh-Bah (3,023) Sep 14, 2011 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader


    ...or even cases. (caressing???, lol)
     
    #27 MikeWard, Mar 20, 2026
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  8. bbtkd

    bbtkd Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,790) Sep 20, 2015 South Dakota
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Is a 2023 bottle considered a tweenager? Just stuck mine in the fridge.
     
    #28 bbtkd, Mar 20, 2026
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  9. John_M

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

    I would consider a three year old Orval to just about be at the peak of perfection.

    Everyone's taste is different, so that's just my two cents. However, I enjoy a flight of vintage Orval every year and that's generally been my impression. 4, 5 and 6 years of age are still delicious, but the flavor profile seems to fade a bit and the beers aren't as interesting to me.

    As always, YMMV.
     
    #29 John_M, Mar 20, 2026
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  10. JackHorzempa

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

    There has been a fair bit of discussion of Orval and what it tastes like with varying bottle age. I figured some folks would enjoy watching Jonny and Brad doing a vertical taste of three bottles: a fresh bottle, 9 months of bottle age and 3 years of bottle age.

    You will also hear Jonny opine that the openness of the Orval chalice is sub-optimum when it comes to perceiving the aroma of the beer. But it does look pretty.

    At the 8:40 mark you can hear Jonny discuss that Orval ages more like a roller coaster vs. a straight line.

    I look forward to reading the opinions of BAs who have various vintages of Orval and what they think about this topic.

    Cheers!

     
    #30 JackHorzempa, Mar 20, 2026
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  11. John_M

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

    Jack. I'll be completely candid here. I have no idea who Jonny and Brad are, and no idea why I should give two figs about their opinion.

    Instead of posting a video from some YouTube influencer, why don't you make a short video about Orval on YouTube? You have your background as a homebrewer, you have a good palate, you're passionate about good beer, you're knowledgeable and articulate. Personally, I would be much more interested in your opinion about Orval then I would from a couple of YouTube yahoos.

    Nothing against Brad and Jonny... I'm sure they're great guys, but I'd rather hear your opinion about Orval rather than theirs.
     
    #31 John_M, Mar 20, 2026
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  12. bambiere

    bambiere Savant (1,055) Aug 25, 2025 Pennsylvania

    Or just post a review or your experience in trying to clone it or what the monks at the brewery have done over the years to maintain the classic Orval character or . . . or . . . or . . .
     
    #32 bambiere, Mar 20, 2026
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  13. JackHorzempa

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

    Challenge accepted. Stay tuned.

    Cheers!
     
    #33 JackHorzempa, Mar 20, 2026
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  14. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Fairly certain I’ve been to Beermongers on a beautiful day with the windows open. If that’s the place I remember it was. Also went to Toronado a couple years later. I’m fortunate to have experienced both.
     
    #34 AlcahueteJ, Mar 21, 2026
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  15. Giantspace

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

    I have one on the fridge and i think i have one Rayon Vert left. Might dig that out and have a few drinks after work Saturday night.

    Enjoy
     
    #35 Giantspace, Mar 21, 2026
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  16. John_M

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

    You sir, are a lucky man. Enjoy!
     
    #36 John_M, Mar 21, 2026
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  17. elNopalero

    elNopalero Grand Pooh-Bah (5,822) Oct 14, 2009 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
     
    #37 elNopalero, Mar 21, 2026
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  18. Beersnake

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

    I'll close this thread so that we can open a separate one that can be pinned to the top of the site. If someone wants to open the official tasting thread with an open bottle of Orval and an introduction to the thread (and the beer), go for it! I won't be opening one until later. Whoever opens the thread needs to use the title "Online Tasting: Orval Day (September 21)"
     
    #39 Beersnake, Mar 21, 2026
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  19. Giantspace

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

    Be back later tonight to open these. Till then,


    Enjoy

    [​IMG]
     
    #39 Giantspace, Mar 21, 2026
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  20. GreenBayBA

    GreenBayBA Grand Pooh-Bah (4,265) Aug 30, 2015 Wisconsin
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I started the thread, but I took the liberty of using a different date.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/online-tasting-orval-day-march-21-2026.682917/
     
    #40 GreenBayBA, Mar 21, 2026
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