Review – Orval Trappist Ale
From Orval’s American Distributor Merchant du Vin: Brewed and bottle-conditioned at Orval monastery founded in the 1100s in the pastoral Belgium countryside. Fermenting three times with three different malts and two types of hops give great character and complexity. This vintage-dated chardonnay of the beer world can be cellared up to five years.
The Abbey of Orval – Orval Trappist Ale – 11.2 oz bottle poured into my new New Belgium glass. 6.9% abv.- Bottled on 05/06/2008. Purchased at Whole Foods Market Hastings, Pasadena, CA.
Appearance: Poured slowly on a slant into my glass, and found a super monstrous foamy head flying out of the bottle and into the glass. Beneath this large head is a dark, dull gold, that lets in no light. I am amazed that this large crown of foam barely went away.
Aroma: Mild, yet very noticeable brettanomyces funk. Then some spiced green apples,and dry malt.
Taste: With a nose of funk, I didn’t know what to expect. What I got was a sturdy mouthful of hops followed by a slightly funky finish. The funk included So perfectly balanced.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied and carbonated just right.
Overall: A beer made with brett that was not over the top. There were two stars of this show, and neither tried to out do one another. My hat goes off to the yeast and the hops for stealing the show.
