Orval Trappist Ale – Brasserie d’Orval S.A.

A: Amber orange in color with a good amount of head that lingers forever.

S: The nose is yeasty and very funky, prominent horse blanket smell as well.

T: Slight tartness, yeast and that subtle barnyard/wet hay funk. Perfectly balanced malty/hoppy/sweetness.

M: Light body, high carbonation finished very dry.

D: One of the best beers all the way around. Very good and pairs well with a lot of things.

Trappist Achel 8° Bruin



Trappist Achel 8° Bruin, originally uploaded by adambarhan.

A: The pour is a rich amber color with about one finger of head.

S: The nose is quite complex with yeast, caramel, dark dried fuits, and floral notes as well. A very complex nose.

T: Sweet caramel malt and plenty of dark dried fruits. There is some mild spice (clove is what I mostly notice), and a little yeast as well.

M: Medium bodied with a high level of carbonation and a dry finish.

D: Great mouthfeel and some nice fruit and yeast character to this beer

Serving type: bottle

Westmalle Trappist Dubbel



Westmalle Trappist Dubbel, originally uploaded by adambarhan.

A: The pour is a dark amber color with a big tan colored head.

S: The nose is good, but not over the top. Some dark fruits in the form of raisins, plums, and figs with plenty of sweet malt notes: molasses, caramel, and toffee.

T: A lot more intensity in the flavor. A great malt character that’s bready with balanced sweetness that provides some molasses, toffee, caramel. The fruits are over-ripe and sweet, mostly cherries, plums, and figs.

M: Medium in body with very ample to high carbonation.

D: Really a delicious and easy to drink beer. One of the better dubbels I’ve had.

Serving type: bottle

Trappistes Rochefort 6



Trappistes Rochefort 6, originally uploaded by adambarhan.

A: Pours a reddish rich mahogany (had to add the anchorman reference) with a large cream-colored head that’s got plenty of carbonation ridges.

S: Sweet, fruity esters lead into the dark fruits. Some spicy yeast. Quite creamy.

T: Some complex malts go with the dark fruits. Quite a bit of yeastiness as well.

M: Very creamy. Medium-bodied and with minimal carbonation. Slight alcohol hints after the swallow.

D: Quite a bit lighter than the 8 or the 10. Very good.