Orval

Orval.... what can you say. This is the beer which i have called my favourite more than any other. I have a lot of 'favourite' beers but this is really it.

My upbringing in the world of beer drinking/appreciation has left me with one clear thought, something which never changes. That is... Monks make the best beer and Belgian Trappist monks are the best at it. This may not be true but it is the mantra which i have chosen to live by.

There are seven breweries in the world which are allowed to call themselves 'Trappist', they are.... Chimay, Rochefort, Westmalle, Westvleteren, Ashelse Kluis, Koningshoeven and Orval. I thought that Leffe, Duval, Kawk and a few others were also on that list, which goes to show you should never trust bottle shop gossip (unless you hear it at the Cru Cellar).

I have only tried five of the seven and of that five Orval is my favourite.

Orval is always a challenge. It is very strong, very astringent,  very sour and full of Gin like herbal grassiness. Drinking Orval is like finding the best orange just so you can taste the zest in the rind.

Orval is harder to drink than the likes of Chimmay Premier (red). Chimay is full of stewy apricot, perfectly sweet caramel and just the right amount of alcohol... but for me Orval is more interesting.

If i was to go to a desert island and only be allowed to take one beer (i hope that never happens) but if it did, i would take an Orval and drink it very slowly.

Trappist breweries are not for profit and they all sustain themselves financially, in part by selling beer. The beers are all top fermented ales mostly bottle conditioned.

I realise that there is a lot of ranting going on and not a lot of information about the actual flavours of the beer. The only real way to find out (as with all beers) of to try one, in a chalice or a wine glass.

Dan