ORVAL
The Orval Brewery, located within the Abbey grounds, was created in 1931 to finance the enormous reconstruction of Orval. From the start, it hired hired labor, including the first master brewer, Pappenheimer, who created the manufacturing recipe.
The brewery's commercial policy is adjusted to the values lived by the monastic community. The brand's revenues are dedicated to social works and building maintenance.
A BEER WITH A UNIQUE TASTE
Faithful to its bitter and fruity character, Orval beer has become a true reference in the highly prized world of authentic Trappist beers.
Orval beer is characterized by a top fermentation process and a maturation time which give it its complex and fruity taste, a subtle harmony between roundness and bitterness.
Since 1931, it owes its incomparable taste above all to the quality of its water, its hops and its yeasts. It is based on specific varieties of hops, very aromatic, which are linked to the first master brewer of Orval, originally from Bavaria. And its English method of dry hopping gives it a diversity of aromas while maintaining its level of bitterness.
Its different fermentation times - combined fermentation, with the original yeast and with wild yeast, then refermentation in the bottle - require a significant maturation time and numerous quality controls.
AN AUTHENTIC TRAPPIST
The development of the activities of the Brasserie d’Orval results directly from the orientations of the monastic community. Part of the income generated by the sale of its products is devoted to supporting solidarity works.
This ethical dimension is part of the three criteria for the designation Authentic Trappist Product. To qualify, a product must be made within a Trappist abbey, the community must be directly involved in the management of activities, and the revenues must be primarily dedicated to social works.
Meet the members of the International Trappist Association: Podcast
You will recognize Trappist products thanks to this acronym.
There are only ten Trappist breweries in the world using the label Authentic Trappist Product : www.trappist.be
A CONTROLLED PRODUCTION
Faced with the ever-increasing enthusiasm of amateurs, the Brasserie d'Orval wishes to preserve its know-how and its know-how, with production dedicated to quality and respect for its manufacturing methods, for more than 80 years .
Like all Trappist beers with the label " Authentic Trappist Product ", Orval beer must comply with a very strict manufacturing process. Its anchoring, on the very site of the abbey and the Mathilde spring, is and will remain local.
All stages of beer production constitute a guarantee of quality and respectful maintenance of original methods. This approach, which favors control and consistency of growth, is accompanied by limits.
The Brasserie d'Orval advocates moderate production, which is however far from negligible: 22 million bottles are produced annually, of which more than 85% are intended for the Belgian market.
Within the historic perimeter, the monastic community, accompanied by its master brewers, has never stopped developing brewing tools. The brewery adopts a policy of permanent and continuous investments, in order to ensure ever better control and regularity of production. It thus intends to respond as best as possible to demand, honoring the loyalty of Orval enthusiasts.
Brasserie d'Orval s.a.
B-6823 Villers-devant-Orval
Orval, #2,
Tel.: +32 61 311 261
Fax : +32 61 312 927
brasserie@orval.be
The brewery is only open for visits during the annual open house days.
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