---
title: "Orval Belgian Pale Ale: Tasting Notes and Recommended Pairings"
description: "Unlike all other Trappist breweries, Orval produces only one variety of beer for the general public, with just 15% of its total production available for export."
url: https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/orval-belgian-pale-ale-tasting-notes-and-recommended-pairings/
date: 2024-06-14
modified: 2024-06-14
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Orval.jpg
categories: ["Opinion"]
tags: ["Beer Styles", "Belgium", "Brettanomyces", "Orval", "Tasting Notes"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Orval Belgian Pale Ale: Tasting Notes and Recommended Pairings

By **(https://www.linkedin.com/in/uhartharper/)**

Unlike all other (https://www.thebeertimes.com/cervezas-trapenses-ora-et-labora/), Orval produces only one variety of beer for the general public, with just 15% of its total production available for export.

!(https://www.thebeertimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Orval.jpg)*Orval Belgian Pale Ale*

## General Information

**Name:** Orval

**Brewery: **(http://www.orval.be)

**Origin:** Florenville, Belgium

**Beer Style: **Belgian Ale

**ABV:** 6,2%

**IBU:** 32

**Calories:** 186

**Glassware: ** (https://www.thebeertimes.com/la-cerveza-vaso-a-vaso-tulipa/), (https://www.thebeertimes.com/la-cerveza-vaso-a-vaso-caliz/), (https://www.thebeertimes.com/la-cerveza-vaso-a-vaso-jelly-frances/)

## Tasting Notes and Impressions

Orval is intensely aromatic and dry. Between the first and second fermentation, it undergoes (https://www.thebeertimes.com/en/dry-hopping-dry-hop-what-is-it-what-is-it-for-and-what-are-its-benefits/), which gives the beer its pronounced hop aroma and extra-dry flavor.

### 1. Appearance

Dark golden with coppery tones and slight haze. The clarity reveals a lively carbonation with fine bubbles, topped by a whitish, medium-high foam that settles compactly yet lightly, with excellent retention and lacing.

### 2. Aroma

A diverse array of aromas unfolds: fruity notes of sour apple and citrus zest, followed by spicy, floral, earthy, leathery, and cheesy rind undertones. A subtle maltiness emerges in the middle, with traces of yeast in the background, all framed by esters that intensify toward the finish.

### 3. Flavor

The flavor develops gradually, combining sour, citrusy, herbal, earthy, leathery, and damp notes. A spicier accent emerges mid-palate, giving way to a soft maltiness with hints of caramel that support a medium but firm bitterness. The finish is markedly dry, extending into a fruity, herbal, and slightly minty aftertaste.

### 4. Mouthfeel

Medium body with a smooth structure. The effervescence evolves into a slight roughness on the tongue, with very low alcohol perception.

### 5. Overall Impression

Orval is a beer that defines itself. It embodies a tradition that combines (https://www.thebeertimes.com/orval-la-cerveza-del-valle-de-oro/), a fantastic legend, and magnificent design to offer an always-unique experience. Each day brings a metamorphosis of its contents, leaving it to us to decide when to capture a moment in its evolution.

This is a multi-dimensional sensory experience that demands setting aside preconceptions, taking a pause, and allowing the expression of time to speak through the beer. Orval is an iconic product of a tradition that, with or without official titles, is undoubtedly a universal heritage of humanity.

## Suggested Pairings

Orval is a highly versatile Belgian Ale when it comes to food pairings. Below are some recommendations that highlight and complement its complex aromas and flavors.

### 1. Main Courses

Roasted lamb with herbs complements Orval’s dry and spicy profile, (https://www.thebeertimes.com/maridajes-cerveza-y-carne/) with the beer’s carbonation and acidity.

### 2. Cheeses

The earthy and slightly spicy flavors of aged goat cheese pair exceptionally well with Orval’s earthy and spicy notes, ideally accompanied by nuts and honey.

### 3. Vegetarian Dishes

A French ratatouille pairs beautifully with Orval’s herbal and spicy notes, enhancing the flavors of Mediterranean vegetables.

### 4. Desserts

A homemade apple tart harmonizes perfectly with Orval’s fruity and spicy undertones, creating a delightful contrast between the tart’s sweetness and the beer’s dry finish.

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