ORVAL - Then & Now

esprit · Post by **esprit** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:44 am

The oldest Chimay GR I have tasted was in a cafe near the monastery and it was 27 years old...absolutely an amazing transformation...something more like port or madeira than beer...but still quite amazing and it cost a FORTUNE.

biegaman · Post by **biegaman** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:46 pm

Orval.

It smells like God's feet. It is the distilled super-essence of acres of orchards and flower gardens. It tastes like a pungent, soft cheese. The carbonation is freshly brisk. Perhaps the longest taste ever, dry as a mid-summer breeze. It is the most beautiful beer ever. The Inuits have so many words for snow, as many Asian cultures do for rice, I wish beer reviewers had the same for head. Orval's deserves its own word; its an ultra-lush marshmallow.

And although I normally avoid making dramatic and subjective statements, I have no hesitation in saying this is the most perfectly crafted beer ever. And I know for a fact that some of the world's best brewers wouldn't hesitate to agree. Yeast is truly one of the world's last areas of magic.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:23 am

I just had a 2004 Orval and I think it's still good, but the beer hits a plateau & does not gain all that much after a few years maturation. It does take on some interesting wine-like qualities, as does Duvel.

Loads of the 2008 atill lurking down there

.

markaberrant · Post by **markaberrant** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 3:47 pm

Gotta agree with Biegaman. There are tons of newer, more extreme beers, but Orval still measures up. Wish I had some to go with my easter dinner!

Bonesey · Post by **Bonesey** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:47 pm

Happy Orval Appreciation Day! And what a perfect day to have one of the best beers. I personally like Orval fresh to get the most out of the dry hop. I don't think I've ever had a dryer beer. What a great made up holiday.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:41 pm

Bonesey wrote:Happy Orval Appreciation Day! And what a perfect day to have one of the best beers. I personally like Orval fresh to get the most out of the dry hop. I don't think I've ever had a dryer beer. What a great made up holiday.

I agree. I think that was the late Michael Jackson's favourite as well.

The Brett comes forward with age, which I do like, but I really like the hops when it's fresh.

It is nice that's it ages so gracefully... something you can always have in your cellar! (Damn the LCBO for not supplying it this year).

pootz · Post by **pootz** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:23 am

Worth mentioning to the foodies out there.....this is the season fresh asparagus will be coming in and although the spring/Lent tradition in Europe is to have a feed of new asparagus with the newest Reisling, Orval is a perfect match as well....particularly the last spicy-dry release.

Derek · Post by **Derek** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:35 am

pootz wrote:Worth mentioning to the foodies out there.....this is the season fresh asparagus will be coming in and although the spring/Lent tradition in Europe is to have a feed of new asparagus with the newest Reisling, Orval is a perfect match as well....particularly the last spicy-dry release.

Hops shoots would be nice too!

SteelbackGuy · Post by **SteelbackGuy** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 12:00 pm

Derek wrote:
pootz wrote:Worth mentioning to the foodies out there.....this is the season fresh asparagus will be coming in and although the spring/Lent tradition in Europe is to have a feed of new asparagus with the newest Reisling, Orval is a perfect match as well....particularly the last spicy-dry release.
Hops shoots would be nice too!

Or fiddleheads!