BOTTOM LINE: The closest thing I've had to a religious experience…read more
After touring about 5 of the 6 Trappist breweries in Belgium, Orval was hands down the most impressive one and, I would daresay, it requires a mandatory visit if you ever find yourself in the area and/or you're a beer lover. The rich history of the Abbey is preserved side-by-side as you can see both the ruins and the newly built Abbey next to it, the latter built in a Tolkien-esque splendor. Too bad you aren't able to access the new Abbey unless you stay there (minimal stay of 3 nights at about 50 euros a night), but the sight-lines you are given are breathtaking to say the least.
The grounds that you're allowed to enter have numerous exhibits of the Abbey's history, brewing process, and even a museum further in. Their gift shop had a lot of offerings, including an array of various glasses. Their standard 25 cL glass starts at 3.5 euros and goes up depending on size. It's definitely/obviously cheaper to purchase their glasses from here than any beer store you may find yourself in (not including any dine-and-dash shenanigans).
Down the street is their restaurant where you're able to taste their Vert beer, which is only offered on-site, and isn't available commercially or for purchase. Their vert is a lighter, crisper take on their signature pale ale, and it hit the spot on what was a hot and muggy day. Around the back of the Abbey is there beer store that you can purchase/return directly - if I ever lived here, I'd probably be a regular!
