13 replies to this topic

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I was reading the belgium travel thread in the PH and noticed orval mentioned so I checked out their website. The beer sounds really good but I'm not sure where to find it. What's the going rate for a bottle? I'm just curious so if I find it I'll know if I'm getting ripped off or not. I live in NH.

[HVB]

I was reading the belgium travel thread in the PH and noticed orval mentioned so I checked out their website. The beer sounds really good but I'm not sure where to find it. What's the going rate for a bottle? I'm just curious so if I find it I'll know if I'm getting ripped off or not. I live in NH.

Just south of you it can be had for 5.99 for a 12 oz bottle. Should be pretty easy to find at most stores.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

Just south of you it can be had for 5.99 for a 12 oz bottle. Should be pretty easy to find at most stores.

I've never made it a point to search it out. My local bottle shop probably has it and I just never noticed.

[HVB]

I've never made it a point to search it out. My local bottle shop probably has it and I just never noticed.

I bet it does. I am not sure how the date codes work on those bottles but Orval will change over time as the brett starts to work more in the bottle.

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I bet it does. I am not sure how the date codes work on those bottles but Orval will change over time as the brett starts to work more in the bottle.

do you think orval is a good place to have brett for the first time? never had a funked up beer I don't think...

[HVB]

do you think orval is a good place to have brett for the first time? never had a funked up beer I don't think...

I believe, and I am sure if I am wrong I will be corrected, that they only add brett when they bottle the beer. The brett character is low and not what you will get out of some other beers. I think it is a good beer to try your tastes with brett. I have some all brett beers in my cellar that I think would be cruel to let someone try as their first brett beer. They are so funky it is crazy, but good funky.

[Jimmy James]

Orval is an excellent choice to try out Brett.

[dmtaylor]

After reading for many years how awesome Orval is, I finally tried it last year, and shockingly, I was underwhelmed. In general, I love Belgian beers, I love spicy beers, I love sour beers, but this one just did not do it for me. To each his own.Just keep your expectations completely out of the picture, and you might like it. But whatever you are expecting, trust me, it's likely to be nothing like you'd expect. One thing is for sure: It is truly, truly unique.

[strangebrewer]

I bet it does. I am not sure how the date codes work on those bottles but Orval will change over time as the brett starts to work more in the bottle.

Very much this.

After reading for many years how awesome Orval is, I finally tried it last year, and shockingly, I was underwhelmed. In general, I love Belgian beers, I love spicy beers, I love sour beers, but this one just did not do it for me. To each his own.Just keep your expectations completely out of the picture, and you might like it. But whatever you are expecting, trust me, it's likely to be nothing like you'd expect. One thing is for sure: It is truly, truly unique.

I wasn't a huge Orval fan myself even though I love funky beers. Then I went to Belgium and got to try fresh Orval vs aged Orval. Fresh Orval is an awesome beer. Balanced, crisp, spicy, with just a hint of Brett. The more it ages the more the Brett comes through and IMO starts to muddle the distinct flavors. Then I tried some 3-4 year old Orvals and again I thought those were awesome. The aged Orval was a drier more wine like beer but the original beer could still be tasted with the addition of a more pronounced Brett character. So from my totally non scientific and personal opinion driven findings there is a 2 year period in the life of a bottle of Orval where it is just meh. Unfortunately I've never found a bottle of Orval here that tasted as good as the fresh stuff I got in Belgium. Perhaps it doesn't transport very well.

[cavman]

Very much this.I wasn't a huge Orval fan myself even though I love funky beers. Then I went to Belgium and got to try fresh Orval vs aged Orval. Fresh Orval is an awesome beer. Balanced, crisp, spicy, with just a hint of Brett. The more it ages the more the Brett comes through and IMO starts to muddle the distinct flavors. Then I tried some 3-4 year old Orvals and again I thought those were awesome. The aged Orval was a drier more wine like beer but the original beer could still be tasted with the addition of a more pronounced Brett character. So from my totally non scientific and personal opinion driven findings there is a 2 year period in the life of a bottle of Orval where it is just meh. Unfortunately I've never found a bottle of Orval here that tasted as good as the fresh stuff I got in Belgium. Perhaps it doesn't transport very well.

Orval is also dry hopped so the fresh stuff you had probably had more hop flavor/aroma.

[strangebrewer]

Orval is also dry hopped so the fresh stuff you had probably had more hop flavor/aroma.

Definitely. I also don't care much big hop presence (Big hop by Belgian standards that is) and Brett. So that's probably why I feel the way I do about 1-2 year old Orval. The Brett is starting to emerge and IMO clashing with the hops.

[No Party JKor]

Orval is pretty common. You should be able to find it at most good beer shops.

[HarvInSTL]

Very much this.I wasn't a huge Orval fan myself even though I love funky beers. Then I went to Belgium and got to try fresh Orval vs aged Orval. Fresh Orval is an awesome beer. Balanced, crisp, spicy, with just a hint of Brett. The more it ages the more the Brett comes through and IMO starts to muddle the distinct flavors. Then I tried some 3-4 year old Orvals and again I thought those were awesome. The aged Orval was a drier more wine like beer but the original beer could still be tasted with the addition of a more pronounced Brett character. So from my totally non scientific and personal opinion driven findings there is a 2 year period in the life of a bottle of Orval where it is just meh. Unfortunately I've never found a bottle of Orval here that tasted as good as the fresh stuff I got in Belgium. Perhaps it doesn't transport very well.

+1 to all of this

[Genesee Ted]

The brett in Orval is very pineapple/horsey to me. I love this stuff. Amen to the fresh stuff in Belgium. This is another great example of how even though beer is shelf stable and fairly durable, the beer that has been handled the least and is fresh, close to the source, and well stored is head and shoulders above what you get from the same bottle elsewhere.