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*dons flame-proof suit*

I am just drinking my first ever Orval, and I have to say, I don't really like it at all. Maybe it's slightly too cold (it says it should be 12-14C on the bottle, but I may have left it in the fridge too long) or maybe it's not in the right glass, but I'm just not enjoying it.

Annoyingly, I can't put my finger on why. There's a distinctive and familar aroma from it that I liked on first sampling, and now am less enamoured of, but even though it's distinctive, I still can't say what it is. Definitely something I've smelled somewhere specific before.

The beer itself is far too heavily-carbonated for my taste. It's like drinking a freshly-opened bottle of a soft drink, Coke or something.

Taste-wise, there's a bitter aftertaste there that's not terribly pleasant. And it's not just hoppiness, as I've discovered recently I'm quite a hophead. Current fave beers are Goose Island and Sierra Nevada IPAs, and the Sierra Nevada PA. But some sort of not-so-nice bitterness to it. And a very drying effect on the tongue and back of the mouth.

I mean, it's not undrinkable or anything, I'll finish the bottle I'm sure. But don't think I'd be in a rush to get it again. <!-- s:( --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_sad.gif" alt="" title="Sad" /><!-- s:( -->

As it happens I had my first Orval last night and I have to agree with you. I was very disappointed with it. I didn't like it. I wouldn't buy it again. I thought there was whiskey taste to it.

Its not a very atypical belgian pale ale, it has a fair whack of belgian hop character and brettanomyces. Give it another shot, it may have been the bottle.... then again it may just not be your cup of tea

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I think you're all mad! Although i wouldn't pick up too many too often, Orval is a fantastic ale. Its extremely unique, i know it does have something you cant quite put your finger on, and that's sort of why i like it so much. Its the combination of Brettanomyces yeast which is apparently very unique, but also, white candy sugar is used during the process too.

It has a large reputation, and that sometimes ruins the experience, it definately has big shoes to fill, i heard about it long before i tasted. Its a strange one, but i believe its one that will grow on you

Just to add, what glass did you drink it from? I nice wide challice would be best but a wide bowled wine glass would do fine

Whats your experience with other belgian pale ales and tripels like? Beers like Duvel, La Chouffe, Bon Secours and Delerium Tremens are solid choices and have a small noticable hop character. Some of the newer releases have been termed 'Belgian IPAs' by some, beers like De Ranke XX Bitter, Chouffe Dobbelen IPA Tripel, Urthel Hop-It, Poperings Hommel and Piratt. These beers feature much higher IBU's and are a departure from the traditional stylings.

The first time I had Orval I wasn't that impressed, it took a fresh bottle in Amsterdam to really swing me

mmmmmmmmmm Delerium Tremens, you'll be seeing pink elephants after too many of those guys" oh so good though <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->