I never understood "horse blanket"

Then I had my first glass of Orval tonight.

I get it!

While hints of old leather can be considered an attractive flavor/aroma, horse blanket can never be. Sorry you had to experience it.

Orval is soooo good.

OK screw it, I'm going to buy a bottle of Orval TODAY and try it. First it was Wild Brews then Charlie P.'s Tweeting about going to Orval and now you guys keep talking about it..... AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRUGH! I can't take it!!

Hard to believe I've tried every trappist but Orval and Westvleteren, but good luck finding the latter.

I am always surprised at how many beer enthusiasts have not had Orval. It is hands down my favorite trappist. I think people overlook it because it's available everywhere, it were as hard to get as the Westy stuff people would be paying high prices and trading for it all the time. Possibly the most underrated beer ever, and after they have raised what they need to fund the monastery for the year all extra profits go to charity, so you are supporting a good cause too.

I did an Orval clone that came out great. Just brew up a strong Belgian golden ale, dump a bottle of Orval in the keg, and let it sit for a few months. MMmmmmmmm. Smelling Orval is like smelling opium. It's hypnotic.

Here's another Orval fan chiming in. I think it is so great because it is not brash. It is subtle, delicious, and you can drink it all night. Some of the triples and quads can't stand up for all night like that.

Boerderij_Kabouter said:

Here's another Orval fan chiming in. I think it is so great because it is not brash. It is subtle, delicious, and you can drink it all night. Some of the triples and quads can't stand up for all night like that.

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I love Orval, particularly bottles that have aged for a bit. Really accentuates the Brett. The combination of noble hops and Brett is simply delicious.

beerthirty said:

While hints of old leather can be considered an attractive flavor/aroma, horse blanket can never be. Sorry you had to experience it.

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I just ordered Belgian yeast described as that. Just had to get it don't know why, figured if they sell it can't be all bad!

Nope, haven't tried it. Might if I was offered a free sample, but given my preferences, I wouldn't pay for a pint.

Had a Belgian in the last judging that was "horse manure". Couldn't figure out anything else to call it. Oddly, once that smell was gone the beer was ok.

beerthirty said:

While hints of old leather can be considered an attractive flavor/aroma, horse blanket can never be. Sorry you had to experience it.

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Never? I've seen it described as an attractive aroma in several places for styles incorporating Brett. Say, here, for example:

Aroma: A decidedly sour/acidic aroma is often dominant in young examples, but may be more subdued with age as it blends with aromas described as barnyard, earthy, goaty, hay, horsey, and horse blanket...

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I picked up a bottle of Orval.

And a Kriek, and a six pack of Old Foghorn, and Hop Stoopid, and Correction Ale...

What can I say I was thirsty.

Saccharomyces said:

I picked up a bottle of Orval.

And a Kriek, and a six pack of Old Foghorn, and Hop Stoopid, and Correction Ale...

What can I say I was thirsty.

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Correction Ale is interesting. It is like drinking a pinecone. Not very complex, but I really liked it.

I came across it for 3 bucks a bottle at QFC, so I had to pick up a few. It's really different from what I'm accustomed to. The spicyness almost burns the tongue like pepper. The earthyness... I'd almost describe the flavor as "dirty". I couldn't drink it all the time, or even drink several in an evening. But I'll be picking up a bottle now and then.

Unlike Lindeman's which is too sweet and lacking in depth, this Chapeau Kriek (from Brouwerij de Troch) has a nice horse blanket character to it which is nice. If only I could get their oude gueuze I think I'd be a notch closer to heaven...

Onto the Orval in a bit!

EDIT: do'oh, looks like Spec's has their Faro, I didn't see that. I'll have to give that a try as well next time I venture in there.

Boerderij_Kabouter said:

Here's another Orval fan chiming in. I think it is so great because it is not brash. It is subtle, delicious, and you can drink it all night. Some of the triples and quads can't stand up for all night like that.

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I can't stand up after a night of triples and quads.

Bike N Brew said:

Never? I've seen it described as an attractive aroma in several places for styles incorporating Brett. Say, here, for example:

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I stand corrected. While I find nothing pleasing about the smell of old sweat, it appears some do. Maybe I spent to much time on the farm brushing those sweaty horses.

Love me some Orval, it's very approachable.

Finished it... very nice beer. Very approachable. I'm even more stoked to toss that Brett C. pack in my fridge into a Belgian Golden Strong now. :rockin:

Saccharomyces said:

Unlike Lindeman's which is too sweet and lacking in depth, this Chapeau Kriek (from Brouwerij de Troch) has a nice horse blanket character to it which is nice. If only I could get their oude gueuze I think I'd be a notch closer to heaven...

Onto the Orval in a bit!

EDIT: do'oh, looks like Spec's has their Faro, I didn't see that. I'll have to give that a try as well next time I venture in there.

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See if you can find their peach. Chapeau Peche is probably the best peach lambic I've ever had.

I stayed at the Sheraton in Brussels a few years ago and they gave me two bottles of Orval when I checked out.

z987k said:

See if you can find their peach. Chapeau Peche is probably the best peach lambic I've ever had.

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Yep they have the peach. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Moving onto Nocturnum now. Soon I'll be Noctur-numb.

Man, I'm finding deals in interesting beers at that store. Last time was Orval. Today I got Kasteel Rouge and Maredsous 8 for 2 bucks.

beerthirty said:

I stand corrected. While I find nothing pleasing about the smell of old sweat, it appears some do. Maybe I spent to much time on the farm brushing those sweaty horses.

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No problem. I happen to love the smell of sweaty horse. Not necessarily in a beer, mind you.

(wait..did I say that out loud?...)

Saccharomyces said:

Yep they have the peach. I'll give it a try, thanks!

Moving onto Nocturnum now. Soon I'll be Noctur-numb.

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I'm sorry, I was thinking about the St. Louis Peche. I've never had the Chapeau peche... but the chapeau Mirabelle is tasty... but they all are really.

Wow... not sure if I like the Kasteel Rouge. It's soooooooo sweet.

ChshreCat said:

I came across it for 3 bucks a bottle at QFC, so I had to pick up a few. It's really different from what I'm accustomed to. The spicyness almost burns the tongue like pepper. The earthyness... I'd almost describe the flavor as "dirty". I couldn't drink it all the time, or even drink several in an evening. But I'll be picking up a bottle now and then.

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$3 for Orval! wow, what a steal! Orval tastes like feet wrapped in burnt leathery bacon, and it is delicious.