Brasserie d'Orval
Brasserie d'Orval is the Trappist brewery within the walls of Notre-Dame d'Orval Abbey, in the Gaume in Wallonia. For sale, they brew one beer: Orval, a Belgian pale ale with dry hopping and bottle conditioning. The second beer, Orval Vert, is only available at the abbey.
- LocationFlorenville, Région Wallonne
- Founded1931
- TypeRegional brewery
- Untappd 3.74 · 418k ratings
- At Hoptimaal1 in stock
In stock now 1
A brewery within the abbey walls
Brasserie d'Orval stands within the walls of Notre-Dame d'Orval Abbey in the Gaume, in Wallonia. According to Merchant du Vin, the abbey was founded around 1070. Beer has been part of it for centuries: a document from the abbot dating from 1628 refers directly to the monks drinking beer and wine. The last monk who brewed was Brother Pierre, until the fire of 1793.
During the French Revolution the abbey was plundered and set on fire. The current abbey and brewery were rebuilt in the 1920s and 1930s on the same ground, and the beer had to help cover the cost of that rebuilding. In 1931 the present brewery came into use, with lay staff. The first beer left the brewery on 7 May 1932, still in casks rather than bottles. This made Orval the first Trappist beer to be sold throughout Belgium.
Henry Vaes designed the new abbey and, together with his daughter, made the distinctive Orval glass. As with other Trappist breweries, the beer is sold to support the abbey and charities. The profit goes to charity and development in the region.
One beer with many layers
Brasserie d'Orval makes two beers. Orval is the beer you can buy in shops; Orval Vert is only available at the abbey. The main beer is a Belgian pale ale that undergoes bottle conditioning at the brewery.
The recipe is more complex than the style name suggests. Merchant du Vin mentions three types of malt, two types of hops, Belgian candi sugar, a fermentation with multiple yeasts, dry hopping and bottle ageing. The beer carries a vintage year and, according to the same source, can be cellared for up to five years.
Orval follows the rules for a real Trappist beer: brewed in a Trappist monastery, with the direct involvement of the monastic community, and with proceeds that essentially go to charity.
Orval at Hoptimaal
With us you'll find Orval in 33 cl, at 6.2% alcohol. It is the only beer from the brewery in our range, and it is highly rated on Untappd.
Pour it cool, not ice-cold, so the hops and yeast come through well. If you want to know what time does to this beer, put a bottle away: according to Merchant du Vin, it can be cellared for up to five years.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Orval come from?
Orval is brewed by Brasserie d'Orval, within the walls of Notre-Dame d'Orval Abbey in the Gaume, in Wallonia, Belgium.
What kind of beer does Brasserie d'Orval make?
The commercial beer is Orval, a Belgian pale ale with bottle conditioning. Orval Vert is only available at the abbey.
Can you age Orval?
Yes. The beer carries a vintage year and, according to Merchant du Vin, can be cellared for up to five years. If you want to drink it fresh, pour it cool but not ice-cold.
