The History of Orval

The Abbey of Orval is located near Florenville, Belgium in the provence of Luxembourg. The present brewery was completed in 1929, at which time the skittle (pin)-shaped bottle and Orval chalice were introduced. (Brewery, bottle, and chalice were all designed by architect Henry Vaes.) In the middle ages, Orval was famous for producing its iron decoration as well as beer. The abbey was gutted by fire in 1252 & repaired, then was destroyed during the French Revolution.

Taste

Sunset-orange color; a fruity and slightly acidic bouquet, firm body, profound hop bitterness, and long, dry finish. Orval is bottled with Brettanomyces, a yeast strain that leads to superb dry complexity and ageworthiness.

Serving Suggestion

Mild semisoft cheese, warm brown bread, fresh pears, steamed mussels, clams in Pernod cream sauce, oysters, smoked salmon and trout, and calamari. Traditionally served in Orval chalices to capture the big bouquet and lovely "Belgian Lace." Excellent with a handmade cigar. Traditionally served in Orval chalices at 55-60 °F.

Accolades

"Best Beers for a European Holiday From Your Couch" and "staggeringly multifaceted . . . " Bloomberg, December 2020

"Number Six Beer of 2015," 96 Points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 2015

As announced in Feb. '17, the "TRAPPIST-1" star has planets. Whether the discovery is named for Trappist beer or not, one of the astronomers is Belgian. CNN toured Orval Trappist Brewery, and interviewed one of the monks. Here's a video as well as an article with pictures. Via CNN, March 2017.

"Number Six Beer of 2015," 96 Points, Wine Enthusiast Magazine, December 2015

One of the Top 100 Beers in the World, Men's Journal, November 2015

"Orval's masterful complexity and drinkability have cemented it as a classic." All About Beer magazine, June 2015.

One of the Top 100 Beers in the World, Men's Journal (November 2014)

Ratebeer.com: 99 points (July 2018)

Gold Medal, 97 points and Top-Rated "Belgian Pale Ale," - World Beer Championships 2014

"1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die," selection, A. Tierney-Jones, 2010

98 Points, top beer tasted - DRAFT Magazine, Jan/Feb 2009

Featured on official Belgian postage stamps - Nov. 2006 and 1928

Best Bottled Beer -Peterborough Beer Festival 1997, 1996

". . . absolutely nothing like it." - Garrett Oliver.

"World classic." - Michael Jackson.

Product Sizes and Quantities

• 11.2-ounce (330 ml) bottles / 12 per case

Stats

ABV: 6.9% - OG: 1.055 - IBU: 32
Ingredients: Water, barley malt, candi sugar, hops, yeast.

Nutritional info: Serving Size - 11.2 oz. (330 ml). Calories: 190; Total Fat 0 g (0% Daily Value); Sodium 0 mg; Total Carbohydrates 4 g (1% DV); Sugars 0 g; Protein 3 g (5% DV). (Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie daily diet.)