Orval Trappist Ale

Typical Trappist aroma and beer head along with a truly unique and complex taste. A "must try" for everyone who is fond of Belgian beers.

This is a great beer. Just very very drinkable

Lovely beer with great flavour for a good price! It has a great aftertaste and after every sip you want to get back for more!

This beer has an interesting mix of flavours in each mouthful. Sharp initially, with a snip of zest followed by a long mellow aftertaste that makes you want to sample again and again. A fantastic Trappist beer

Great abbey beer. Full of flavour and sweetness left on your tongue. 6.2% means you can still appreciate a second one!

Lots of flavour, good taste, and pretty cheap. Can't ask for much more.

Fantastic beer. Deep malty flavours, caramel notes, great body. Well worth the money, will buy again.

A very nice change to the palate. Fruity and fragrant.

Not overly strong Belgium beer, making it very drinkable, slightly dry, but pleasant.

Not the strongest of flavours, but really tasty and refreshing

One of my top 5 beers- dry hopped so full of flavour, pleasantly fruity and extremely drinkable

Complex flavour lots of Belgian character and a spicy slightly tart finish, it’s a well made beer and an interesting drink but I just didn’t quite get this one. Probably because of the Brett but I wasn’t that keen on the overall taste

Orval is a classic and always a go to. Flavourful with warm caramel tones. Always a worthy addition.

Age this and it will be your friend. Patience

This is a favourite drink of one of my friends,but i found it too harsh in a bitter way,lots of flavour,some would enjoy,but not to my pallate

A fine beer with a good full flavour and slight bitterness. Typical spice and citrus as expected in a beer from this region although perhaps slightly over carbonated. Overall, a fine Trappist ale and one to return to over and over again.

I've been getting into Belgian beers lately and am quite intrigued with there being only 6 authorised Trappist beer producers in Belgium, Orval being one of them. I've had 3 out of the 6, so Orval would make it 4. I was very happy with it, but it isn't the best one (that would be Rochefort 10). Its quite dry compared to other Belgian beers, but has a lovely bitter taste and notes of spices. Given the low price, its worth a punt.

If nothing else? the Belgians & in particular the monastaries, know how to brew a beer! Strong & smooth...typically belgian

A complete opposite to most of the sweet rich Belgian beer's I've drunk. Its a beer that i think will grow on me the more i drink. Its dry, bitter with a slight mustiness to it, i'd like to try a aged one as it should sour over time. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to get one after the "best before" date in the mystery box.

Very nice but not mind blowing. I think it’s worth aging to get the brett

Orval is a delightful Belgian brew, it's a golden trappist ale with plenty of flavour, highly recomend

I would have to send special praise to the yeast in this bottle. I actually ordered this about a year ago & managed not to drink it, until now. That slight funkiness brings another dimension to the beer, and is well worth storing in my opinion. One could do some interesting aging experiments with this. Would be an absolute treat to visit that brewery.

Pear, rotten fruit, spicy, light medicinal, a lot of carbonation and foam, light candy and some bitterness, a unique classic.

Aroma: Belgian yeast Look: hazy dark amber Taste: nice dry Belgian Overall: classic, you won’t make wrong choice by this one

I'm more of a stout drinker so this definitely wasn't my type.. Only bought for the kool bottle =p
I'm sure there's plenty of people thus taste us for but unfortunately I wasn't keen

For me, Orval is the best beer in the world (at least of all the many beers I have tasted). It is so unique amongst the Trappist beers. The bottle itself is a piece of art. It is not too strong, very tasty, perfectly bitter. Just impeccable. You can drink it room temperature (recommended) or cold. Excellent all year round, mid-day, afternoon, or evening. Best to drink Orval in its glass.

A unique trappist beer - with a taste all of its own due to the yeast used here.
Like a fine wine drink this early or wait a year for it to mature for 2 completely different flavors.

Hazy orange color with creamy beige head with very good persistence. Aroma has really nice floral notes, hay and some light barnyard funk. Taste follows, really floral with nice yeast notes but it doesn’t get cloying at all, really easy drinking and somehow fresh in spite of the medium body. Smooth mouthfeel, no alcohol. Finishes with a good amount of earthy bitterness. Overall it’s a really well made and somehow unique beer which deserves its praise.

I think this beer is best enjoyed fresh. I've had it aged and it doesn't taste as good. Top, top brew regardless.

My favourite belgian, a perfect beer in my opinion, and a staple in my fridge

Aroma: toffee, apple, sour, hops. Appearance: brown, haze with small head. Taste: banana, caramel, toffee. Palate: medium bodied, medium carbonation, long dry bitterness finish.

This is my wife's favourite Trappist beer so it must be good! I like it as much as she does.

This is a good beer no doubt however compared to the other Trappist beers and other Belgian beers of this style, i feel it does not compare so well. Still decent however.

I'm more an IPA/porter chap than a Belgium beer chap. However, drinkable and worthy of a punt.

not a great ale, extremely bitter tasting no re-order one this one

I'd like to fill a swimming pool full of this stuff.Great reason to become a monk or move to Belgium (I don't think the monks can drink it)

If you are looking to get in to Belgian beer, here is a great place to start. Try leaving for an ever changing array of flavours. Say three months..

The aroma is sweet with notes of fruit,yeast, orange, and other spices. The flavor is sweet with notes of orange, fruit, yeast, cinnamon, and other spices. It ends on a nice bitterness combined with an acidic note. An unique beer.

Excellent pale ale. Personally, I always like to see the head follow the beer down the glass. Very smooth drinking with good bitter taste.

Was not sure how this was going to taste definitely will be ordering some more soon. A very pleasant tasting beer

Belgian pale with a nice sour finish, great body. Top stuff.

Citrus orange peel notes. Soft mellow bitter taste. Nice orange like colour. Elegant beer.

Highly rated beer , wasn't impressed though maybe had a dodgy bottle , still good but not as I was expecting

What a stunning drink one of the kind, such a delight to drink, it gets better with time.

As far as classic Belgian beers go, this is undeniable. Very refreshing and not too overwhelming with Belgian yeast.

Floral citrusy hop aroma, with leather and sweaty notes in the background. Light hint of caramel and toasty malts. Clear and sparkling pale amber. Frothy off-white head. Bitter and refreshing flavor. Hint of malt sweetness. Tart. Light to medium body, but bolstered by fizzy carbonation. Slick texture with a bone-dry finish. An incredibly complex classic. So refreshing.

Orval is not one of my favourite Trappist beers, but is a good standard one. I would be one to recommend beers like Rochefort or Westmalle, but this one is a decent one, definitely worthy of a try.

Aromas of lemon, malts and bread. Appearance is a dark cloudy amber with a small tan head. Exciting taste of bread and dough with a citrus finish. Really quite drinkable.

Thick foam , durable and abundant.
Aromas to wild yeast.
In mouth is acid, in which the carbonic is made present but not unpleasant. Clear and persistent final bitter taste. Different and interesting. Remember lambic beers.
Magnificent appetizer beer.

This beer is quite simply everything you would want from a Trappist beer. Lovely aroma and colour and a flavour that is rounded but not overpowering. Also, at 6.2% you can have a couple without falling over.

If you're no conesoure, Belgian Blonds can all taste rather the same, not that that's a bad thing! Refreshingly, Orval is like no other! Try it for a change!

The yeast here is the star of the show with a real saison like funkiness that is so unique. The beer itself will change its flavours depending on its age turning from a sharp zingy beer into a more well rounded fuller flavour as it gets older.
Its therefore best to check the date on the bottle before drinking, or buy a couple and keep one in a cupboard for 12 months to really appreciate how this beer can morph into something else.

I'm a big fan of Trappist beers whilst not my favourite it is not far off

Not quite what I was expecting. Thought it would be typical smooth Belgian beer, but it had a saison edge to it.

I have been wanting to try this beer for awhile, in fact I thought I had already tried it before, turns out I hadn't so stuck it in the basket. it is a decent enough beer but just seems a tad dissapointing

The star of the show here is the Yeast providing a really unique aromatic zesty hit to the nose and palette.
A creamy off white head remains until the end.

I have to concur with the other reviews here - this is sublime brewing.

As a relative newbie to craft beers I wasn't sure if I'd like this - a little outside my comfort zone of IPAs, porters etc - but found it very enjoyable.

Smelt quite spicy and taste had lots of fruit, especially pears and bananas. Less full bodied than I expected.

Would definitely try again.

This is very rightly regarded as a classic beer. The only Trappist beer (to my knowledge) to be fermented with brett, it's a different offering if you've tried other trappist beers. It has a good funky flavour and aroma, which will only develop with time. I bought several to age and try at different points as the brett dries it out further and adds more flavour. A must try beer!

It is always one of those beers that appears on the top ten beers before you die lists and with right reason too.

Very Belgian, nice and yeasty and very drinkable.

Worth a try

My previous comments "I was not sure what to expect. The packaging lends its self to the quality contents. This is truly a great beer and I will be having more in the future" still stand and I will be ordering more of this fine brew in the future.

Well worth the money, a taste you dont forget, a respected drink.

This beer really is as complex as they come.

I went on a beer journey drinking this. From not really knowing what to make of it to appreciating all it's twists and turns on the way down my gullet.

A very metallic after-taste, fruity, zesty aroma and a woody, pine flavour. Improves with every gulp you take. Try it.

Lovely thick head which lasts the length of the beer. Nice fizz with a very light bitterness. Easy drinking to say the least and a steal at £2.69.

Love this. Tastes like liquid Christmas cake. So many flavours running through it.

there is a reason why people go to great lengths to obtain these bottles fresh from the sons of God. This trappist is brilliant and well worth the hassle. Believe the hype.

Really enjoyed this Trappist, beautifully smooth and malty. Deceptively strong and very morish.

Strong tasting, I think I must have poured mine wrong as it didn't have a head at all.

I've drank this for year. A lovely sweet dark and barley influenced beer with belgium yeast. Perfect after dinner with cheese.

Just a really nice Belgian beer. Can't complain.

A lovely beer, and an authentic trappist too. Buy i drink it and help the monks......although they probably don't need the cash any more!

Minimal nose upon opening. On the taste is comes to life like a sweet shop. A penny sweet smell. A very pleasant drink.

Strong yet refreshing pale ale packed with flavour.

Orval is a great introduction to Belgian Trappist ales, worth a try for anyone. Thick, fairly strong and bold citrus flavours to match the nice amber colour.

I was not sure what to expect. The packaging lends its self to the quality contents. This is truly a great beer and I will be having more in the future.

An amazing Belgian beer, one of the best and highly recommended.

Some say the citrus / aftertaste affects the enjoyment of this beer. Try it with smoked fish for a pleasant surprise.

I had a 2nd bottle and it was lovely this time round. The first time I drank it it was about my 4th beer of the night and this time it was my first beer of the evening so I am guessing the previous beer had an impact the first time. But in short my 2 star rating was well wide of the mark.

I am a big fan of Belgian beer but this one just wan\'t to my taste I found it overpowering with a mildly unpleasant after taste.

Wasn't overly impressed with this one. I am a big fan of Belgian beer but this one did not hit the stop.

Light aroma, slight frothy start with a leathery tongue. I like it but I find it a touch too syrup for me

Extremely frothy on pouring – beware!
Amber coloured beer with a dry citrus taste.
I really like Orval and it is in my top five beers.

Really enjoyed this in a bottle after trying the draught version on a recent trip to Belgium. Will be ordering some more

Good strong tasting beer, but I find it's more like an after dinner drink rather than a refreshing one to be enjoyed one after an other

Orval is a timeless classic. It's a trappist brewery that unlike many others only brews one kind of beer (apart from the Orval Vert that is only sold at the abbey).

Right after opening the bottle you can smell horse blanket, which is caused by the brettanomyces. It has a great complexity and depth, but unlike many other trappist beers it is not as sweet and has more crispness. Even after growing tired of most beers, I find myself keep coming back for more Orval.

As mentioned earlier, the beer contains brettanomyces (wild yeast strain). A long running discussion among beer snobs is whether young or old Orval is best. The idea is that the brettanomyces will evolve the bottled beer over time and giving it a more funky flavour. I highly recommend getting a bottle and storing it for a year, preferably even 2 years. Then pop open a fresh and aged Orval side-by-side to join the discussion and judge for yourself!

i enjoyed this beer . Very strong fruity citrus aftertaste that lingers long after swallowing. very pleasant.
one I shall look to order again. up there in my faves.

This has a great flavour, a good head and is really refreshing with a slight sourness.

Took a chance on this trappist number on my first order from Beer Hawk and so glad I did. Beautifully subtle yet complex flavours, ideal for introducing this style of beer. Lovely stuff.

You don't see this one everywhere, but it's well worth hunting down; lovely full-bodied Trappist ale. Refreshing, zesty, and deeply flavourful.

Nice introduction to Belgian ale. Fruity an aromatic, but dry. Hints of lemon and perhaps peach? Will certainly be having more.

Poured a beautiful golden Amber with good frothy head which slowly dissipitates. Smells are subtle. Black cherry, honey sweetness, and a spicy zing. A very well balanced, yet highly carbonated beer leaves a dry mouthfeel. Fab!

A nice deep amber/copper colour. Very aromatic and fruity. Complex tastes, almost floral at the beginning and of cherry all the way through. Haven't had many trappist ales before but will be trying many more now.

World class it says in the description on here. World class it is. Superb example of a great beer style

What a special beer. Complex yet very drinkable, this is an absolute joy of a beer. Definitely one to have "in stock" in your fridge. 5 stars.

Unique beer from the Trappist brotherhood. Copper colour, citrus notes, complex taste profile. This is an elixir of a beer. The alcohol content is relatively low for Trappist style sunshade another why don't you.

One of my 'stock' Belgian beers. Refreshing and full of flavour.

Bought this for my boyfriend - along with a load of others from this site. Being a beer novice I chose them without really knowing what to look for. I picked this one because it had won an award, has an interesting history and I liked the look of it! Luckily for me he liked it (and all the rest).

Gorgeous, fresh, zesty ale. Crisp and aromatic, it's a refreshing beer to the end. Thumbs up!