quote: Originally posted by slowrunner77 point taken, but it just isn't practical to have to revisit one beer when new, 6 months old, & 2 years old to give it a "proper" review. that just ain't happenin 99% of the time. i rate to keep track of what I like and to have fun. if i revisit a two year old orval (or anything else) my opinion and my score may change, but i don't even now how old this beer was when i've had it. quote: quote: Originally posted by Stoutlover72 quote: quote: quote: Originally posted by slowrunner77 i'll rate a beer after one time, and revisit my review if need be. there's just too many one timers to rate only after several purchases. i would, however, take into account if the first two times i had a beer it sucked...can't just rate the good batch and ignore the crap (although chances are the "good" batch is what it's supposed to taste like). quote: quote: quote: quote: Originally posted by Ragnarok The first two I tried tasted like dimetapp god bad, medicinal and sour. I was lucky, the place I bought them at gave me a 1 for 1 exchange. The third time I just bought it here on post at the Class VI. Now - on my THIRD try, I can see what all the fuss is about. IMHO this beer MUST be tried SEVERAL times before posting a review. I figure I will get 6 plus bottles behind me and give an active review as i drink a good bottle. I agree with you for the most part. However, beers like Orval change so much after 6-12 months in the bottle, then 2-3 years later. If a person only rated that beer in the bottle before it can fully develop into what it can (which is the elixer of the Gods) then it's only half the story. The other time I'll rate on just one (or less than one if I'm sharing) is because the beer is really rare. Orval is just....man...love that stuff.

Orval is the rare kind of beer that, whenever you see it, be it at a new location or 6months since the last, you buy it; because it can be so slightly deliciously different every time.. some super bretty, some tart, some sweet.. whatever, always a treat!

i gotta say, though, all this talk makes me want to go have an Orval (it's been a while). i'll pick one up tonight if the yocals have it in stock [:D]

ok...tonights was 14 months old and was better than the previous 3.4-3.5's I've had. I'd say closer to a 4, which bumped my rating up to a 3.8. Still not one of my favorites, but thoroughly enjoyable...better than Tactical Nuclear Penguin at God-knows-how-much-more!

From time to time, I grab a brew that I found in the cellar (forgot it) and like to review how well it survived. I have about 5 of these that were bottled August 12th, 2004 and are best before the same date in 2009 (so, almost 5 years outdated). Aromas are sour like a Flemish Sour and with some spices. The taste is not the same, with no sourness, just yeast and feels like old plastic. So, I guess this one does not stay good past the best before date (unlike the St. Bernardus Abt 12 I just had). Never was a big fan of this beer anyways.

quote: Originally posted by Chopz From time to time, I grab a brew that I found in the cellar (forgot it) and like to review how well it survived. I have about 5 of these that were bottled August 12th, 2004 and are best before the same date in 2009 (so, almost 5 years outdated). Aromas are sour like a Flemish Sour and with some spices. The taste is not the same, with no sourness, just yeast and feels like old plastic. So, I guess this one does not stay good past the best before date (unlike the St. Bernardus Abt 12 I just had). Never was a big fan of this beer anyways.

quote: Originally posted by eaglefan538 quote: quote: Originally posted by Chopz From time to time, I grab a brew that I found in the cellar (forgot it) and like to review how well it survived. I have about 5 of these that were bottled August 12th, 2004 and are best before the same date in 2009 (so, almost 5 years outdated). Aromas are sour like a Flemish Sour and with some spices. The taste is not the same, with no sourness, just yeast and feels like old plastic. So, I guess this one does not stay good past the best before date (unlike the St. Bernardus Abt 12 I just had). Never was a big fan of this beer anyways. The fresher the better. I've had one batch that was just under 6mos old. It was my favorite of them all. As with most beers, this does not better with extensive age, although a year or two it seems to do quite ok.

quote: Originally posted by eaglefan538 quote: quote: Originally posted by Chopz From time to time, I grab a brew that I found in the cellar (forgot it) and like to review how well it survived. I have about 5 of these that were bottled August 12th, 2004 and are best before the same date in 2009 (so, almost 5 years outdated). Aromas are sour like a Flemish Sour and with some spices. The taste is not the same, with no sourness, just yeast and feels like old plastic. So, I guess this one does not stay good past the best before date (unlike the St. Bernardus Abt 12 I just had). Never was a big fan of this beer anyways. The fresher the better. I've had one batch that was just under 6mos old. It was my favorite of them all. As with most beers, this does not better with extensive age, although a year or two it seems to do quite ok.

Busted my only Orval open the other night. Purchased maybe 6 weeks ago. Was f'n fantastic per usual. Zesty, yeasty, nicely hopped Juicy Fruit gum. I love that beer...

love Orval. [img]http://i.imgur.com/vV4zm5g.gif[/img] love it!