Barrel Aged Ovila Abbey Ale

Customer reviews

17 reviews matching

1. 5 out of 5 starsyesterday

   pretty darn good drink I’ll track down again.

   Robert D.Verified buyer

   Trip in the Woods Brandy Barrel Aged with Mandarin Oranges & Cocoa from Sierra Nevada. Single 25.4 fl oz undated cork and cage bottle. Purchased 05/06/25 from Sierra Nevada on-line: $ 20.00/$ 0.787 per fl oz. Reviewed 21/06/25 (Review 3545). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol. Stored at 37 degrees F at home. Served at 53.8 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature is 57.2 degrees F. Appearance – 4.25 First pour – Medium Amber (SRM 12), hazy. Body – Chocolate brown (SRM 30), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, ruby. Head – Average (Maximum 2.7 cm, aggressive center pour). Biscuit, lightening to sandy tan as it oxygenates, high density with a rocky top, average retention, dropping to a 0.3 cm crown and a complete, rocky cap. Lacing – None. Aroma – 4 – “Dark fruit” and a whiff of brown sugar and of wood. No yeast, no malt, no hops, no mandarins, no alcohol. Flavor – 4.5 – Begins slightly sweet with weak figs, cocoa, and just a hint of mild citrus. No yeast, no hops. No alcohol (11.4 % ABV, according to the label). No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Moderate gastric warming. Palate – 4 – Medium: approaching creamy: soft but lively carbonation. Style: Follows the style guidelines as condensed by BA. Final impression and summation: 4 (After deducting 0.25 point for an undated bottle) Uncredited label artist. I’ve had the BA Ovila Dubble a few times, when I’ve been lucky enough to find it, and really enjoyed it. This current iteration is better – you can rarely go wrong with mandarins (I add them to my salads). The cocoa counterbalances the little acid added by the mandarins. Overall, a pretty darn good drink I’ll track down again.

2. 5 out of 5 stars9 months ago

   CAN'T WAIT TO TASTE!

   herbert f.Verified buyer

   I haven't tried it yet but I'll review it after I taste it

3. 5 out of 5 stars10 months ago

   Excellent

   Russ N.Verified buyer

   Solid brew, love it.

4. 5 out of 5 stars10 months ago

   Another Excellent Ovila Edition

   RolandoVerified buyer

   I have not had an Ovila Abbey Ale since they did the four packs with plum. This beer continues that excellent flavor that was in the previous edition. Aroma has a rich and deep date, plum, brown sugar, and molasses characteristics. I'm not picking up the mandarins or cocoa. Flavor is just like the nose with the addition of mild cocoa bitterness and mild sweet citrus notes. Mouthfeel has that classic Belgian beer feel with tons of carbonation, smooth, and goes down easy. Hint of the barrel coming through at the end. Dark fruits become more prominent as the beer warms to room temperature. Excellent beer, I hope they bring back the 4-pack 375 ml bottles. I've always enjoyed Sierra Nevada's Ovila Abbey Ales, hopefully, they continue to brew them.

5. 4 out of 5 starslast year

   You can rarely go wrong with mandarins (I add them to my salads).

   Robert D.Verified buyer

   Trip in the Woods Brandy Barrel Aged with Mandarin Oranges & Cocoa from Sierra Nevada. Single 25.4 fl oz undated cork and cage bottle. Purchased 05/06/25 from Sierra Nevada on-line: $ 20.00/$ 0.787 per fl oz. Reviewed 21/06/25 (Review 3545). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol. Stored at 37 degrees F at home. Served at 53.8 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature is 57.2 degrees F. Appearance – 4.25 First pour – Medium Amber (SRM 12), hazy. Body – Chocolate brown (SRM 30), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, ruby. Head – Average (Maximum 2.7 cm, aggressive center pour). Biscuit, lightening to sandy tan as it oxygenates, high density with a rocky top, average retention, dropping to a 0.3 cm crown and a complete, rocky cap. Lacing – None. Aroma – 4 – “Dark fruit” and a whiff of brown sugar and of wood. No yeast, no malt, no hops, no mandarins, no alcohol. Flavor – 4.5 – Begins slightly sweet with weak figs, cocoa, and just a hint of mild citrus. No yeast, no hops. No alcohol (11.4 % ABV, according to the label). No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Moderate gastric warming. Palate – 4 – Medium: approaching creamy: soft but lively carbonation. Style: Follows the style guidelines as condensed by BA. Final impression and summation: 4 (After deducting 0.25 point for an undated bottle) Uncredited label artist. I’ve had the BA Ovila Dubble a few times, when I’ve been lucky enough to find it, and really enjoyed it. This current iteration is better – you can rarely go wrong with mandarins (I add them to my salads). The cocoa counterbalances the little acid added by the mandarins. Overall, a pretty darn good drink I’ll track down again. Rating 4.22, rDev 0% (First review)

6. 5 out of 5 starslast year

   Best ever

   Jared B.Verified buyer

   Excellent

7. 5 out of 5 starslast year

   Kudos to Cistercian Beers!

   Edward F.Verified buyer

   In my opinion, this abbey ale is the closest we have ever tasted to West Vleteren #10...which as you know is among the best beers in the world (according to some beer experts). In Belgium, you have many Cistercian beers...all "abbey beers"...but West Vleteren is the best by far. Chimay and WestMalle are noteworthy as well! That is is available is tribute to the VIna Monks whom, as I understand it, were instrumentation in it genesis.

8. 5 out of 5 starslast year

   great gift, highly enjoyed

   MVerified buyer

   purchased as gift for significant other. they were ecstatic to receive since Ovila was always a favorite and no long able to find anymore. they couldn't have been happier with it.

9. 4 out of 5 starslast year

   disappointed

   Robert D.Verified buyer

   Trip in the Woods Barrel Aged Ovila Abbey Ale – from Sierra Nevada online. One 25.4 fl oz cork and cage bottle, $24.82 (Including shipping), $ 0.98/fl oz. Received 18/10/24. Reviewed 26/10/24 (Review 3377). Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol. Undated bottle. Stored at 34 degrees at home. Served at 54.1 degrees F in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter. The final temperature was 57.7 degrees F. Appearance – 4.25 First pour – Medium Amber (SRM 12), hazy. Body – Chocolate Brown (SRM 20), opaque. Under direct light, same. When rear-lite, same, with light penetration only at the edges. Head: Average (Maximum 2.5 cm, aggressive center pour), almond, high density with a rocky top. Reduces to a 0.3 cm crown and partial cap. Lacing – Poor. Small plateau of near-microscopic bubbles with a narrow arch above. Aroma – 4 – Citrus and cocoa dominate, but neither are strong. No yeast, no hops. No ethanol (11.4 % ABV according to the label). Flavor – 4 – Follows the nose, cocoa leading and mandarin orange wafting behind. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. No barrels, brandy or otherwise. No obvious malt characters. No ethanol. Mild gastric warming occurs. Palate – 4 – Full; neither syrupy nor creamy, just THERE; soft carbonation. Style: Follows the style guidelines, as loosely condensed by BA. Final impression and summation: 4 (After deducting 0.25 point for the undated personal container) I must say I am somewhat disappointed – I’ve had the base Ovila whenever I can find a bottle and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. This iteration, for my jaded taste buds, is definitely inferior; although, in its own right, it’s not a bad taste experience at all.

10. 5 out of 5 stars4 years ago

    Ovila Abbey Ale

    CapCarl

    Great smooth ale. Reminds me of some of the small guest houses in Germany that brewed their own style of beer. Great after dinner.