Belgian Pale Ale Project – Brasserie d’Orval’s Orval Trappist Ale (#19)

11.2 ounce bottle decanted into a tulip.  6.9% ABV.  Bottled on 6/27/13, and best before 6/27/18. 

Appearance:  Deep, opaque amber with bubbles that run for days.  This beer has the most incredible head I’ve seen in a long time, and it seems to have no intention of going anywhere soon (4/5).

Aroma:  Musty and woody.  Like a back of an old cabin.  I also get a faint whiff of pineapple (4/5).

Taste:  The earthy Brett character is dominant, but there is also a touch of pine, honey, and apples.  The background flavors become more predominant as the beer nears room temperature (4.25/5).

Mouthfeel:  Highly effervesent.  There is so much carbonation, in fact, that I get a touch of a burn following the swallow.  Medium body (3.75/5).

Overall:  Amazing beer that has been an inspiration to many brewers all over the world.  This pint is incredible, but it seems like some of the edges could be rounded out a bit.  Considering the generous window of expiration, I would be interested in trying a bottle that had been aged for a couple years (4/5).

-Matt