Orval Trappist Ale

Orval Brewery, Guame, Belgium

ABV: 6.9% (Alcohol By Volume)
IBU: N/A (International Bitterness Unit)

So it's Friday... It's been a long week of overhaul inspection standards, overhaul repair standards, dealing with emissions issues, and developing repairs. In other words... it's a perfect night to crack open a beer, and not just any beer. Granted, writing these opinionated reviews take some presence of mind, I'm happy to do them... after I am occasionally drinking some of the best beer in the world. This week I am going for an Orval Trappist ale made at the Abbaye Notre-Dame d'Orval monastery. Thank you Central Market in Dallas for once again providing me with a beer selection that just won't quit. Lest I begin...

Orval pours a light reddish amber that is cloudy and seemingly mysterious. There is a pronounced, creamy, off-white one-finger head that settles quickly so a nice thick sheet of icing on the surface. I would have to say that it is unique and unexpected coming from the unusually shaped Orval bottle.

The aroma wreaks of Belgian abbey ale. The malty spiced cloves balance a typically bready nose. Finally, amongst the sweet spice is a hint of bitter hops. I can't wait to finally get into a nice Belgian with a detectable bitter perception.

This is a beer with a medium bodied mouthfeel. The carbonation is nice and slightly nips at the tongue. Overall it is smooth and calming. There is an instant shot of winter spices complimented by nutty yeast remnant from the bottle fermentation sediment. The finish is where the bitter hops come out and land the back of your tongue. After spending so much time focusing on the dubbles and tripples of the Trappist beer population and glad to finally find one that has a hoppy perception. It is really quite fantastic.

Well, overall, a delicious beer that should be enjoyed one or two at a time. I would not recommend this beer as a third or fourth sitting at the bar. If I could I might classify this beer as right in the middle between the double and the tripple. It has the malty richness of a dubble and the light spicy citrus flavors of the tripple style. Truly interesting, and truly enjoyable.

DRU: 94/100 (Dan's Rating Unit)