Orval

A customer brought me an Orval chalice back from his trip to Belgium. How could I not have an Orval as soon as I got home. I turned down a trip to Harbor just enjoy this one. This is really a miniature holiday. Beautiful.

The beer pours a lovely burnt orange, with a lovely white head. Thousands of tiny bubbles give a nice finger and half of head. The head leaves excellent lace. This in one of the prettier beers I've had in a while.

The nose is quite deep. There is a fair amount of fruit up front, almost cider-y apples. The funk follows with some rich barnyard scents. There is a bit of lemon in here as well. I'm also picking up some medicinal notes.

The taste is so incredibly complex. This is what comes about after 900 years of experience and hard work goes into perfecting of a recipe. Lemon, cider, herbs, earthy hops, medicinal notes, barnyard are a pleasantly measured into this tapestry of taste. The finish is crisp, with a slight apple sweetness coming in right before the flavor fades out. The flavor is light but intense. Superb.

The mouthfeel is light, tingly, and effervescent. This is a beer you could drink all night long.

This is the most unique of the Trappist beers by miles. The touch of brett in this one really brings out the funk, and the history behind this gives it depth. 93/100.