Style: Belgian Pale Ale / Trappist Ale
ABV: 6.2%
Brewery: Brasserie d’Orval – Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Orval, Belgium

Beer Overview

Orval is one of the world’s most revered Trappist beers, brewed exclusively within the walls of the Orval Abbey in the Gaume region of Belgium. This singular pale ale stands apart from other Trappist styles, combining a dry, complex malt base with assertive hopping and wild yeast character. Bottle-conditioned and designed to evolve over time, Orval offers a truly transformative drinking experience that changes with age.

Flavour Profile

Freshly poured, Orval reveals a shimmering amber-orange hue beneath a dense, rocky white head. The flavour opens with a firm malt backbone of biscuit and light caramel, quickly giving way to herbal and earthy hop bitterness. Its hallmark character comes from Brettanomyces wild yeast, which imparts subtle notes of leather, hay, citrus zest, and a whisper of funk that intensifies as the beer matures.
A lively carbonation and dry finish make it remarkably refreshing despite its depth.

Key Flavours: Herbal hops, citrus peel, light caramel malt, earthy funk, dry bitterness.
Mouthfeel: Effervescent, crisp, dry.

Aroma

A captivating bouquet of spicy hops, dried fruit, and rustic farmhouse funk. Expect notes of orange peel, clove, hay, and a touch of musty cellar character from the Brettanomyces fermentation — an aroma that is unmistakably Orval.

Brewing Process & Uniqueness

Orval’s brewing process is legendary. After primary fermentation with top-fermenting yeast, the beer undergoes a second fermentation using Brettanomyces yeast, a practice uncommon among Trappist breweries. This wild yeast slowly develops the beer’s signature dryness and complexity during bottle conditioning.
Orval is also generously dry-hopped — rare among traditional Belgian ales — giving it its unique balance between bitterness and funk.

Serving & Food Pairing

Serve at 10–12°C in a tulip glass to appreciate its evolving aroma and flavour.
Perfect Pairings:

• Semi-hard cheeses such as Comté, Gruyère, or aged Gouda

• Rustic bread with pâté or terrine

• Grilled meats or game

• Seafood with herbal or citrus notes

As the beer ages, its hoppiness softens while the Brett character deepens — making it ideal for tasting flights that explore different maturation stages.

About the Brewery – Brasserie d’Orval

Founded in 1931, Brasserie d’Orval is housed within the Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Orval, a Cistercian monastery in Belgium’s Ardennes region. The abbey’s brewing tradition dates back to the 12th century, when monks first crafted beer for sustenance and hospitality.

Today, Orval remains one of only a handful of authentic Trappist breweries, meaning all production occurs within the monastery, under monastic supervision, with profits supporting charitable and community work.

The brewery’s single beer — Orval — has achieved cult status among beer enthusiasts for its singular character and transformative aging potential. Every bottle embodies the harmony between monastic tradition, scientific brewing precision, and natural fermentation artistry.

If you’re as much of a fan of Belgian beers as we are then why not check out some of our all grain lager recipe kits.

And be sure to check out our YouTube channel for tips and advice on lager brewing at home.