Catalogue no. BBG035

Orval

Brewery: Brasserie d’Orval
Beer style: Spéciale Belge
Glass style: Goblet
Capacity: 33cl
Place: Villers-devant-Orval (Wallonia)

Curator’s Notes

Orval's distinctive goblet is one of Belgian beer's genuinely recognisable glass designs. This example is particularly substantial, with a weighty bowl that curves down into broad, sculpted facets before meeting the short, heavy stem. The relatively small foot somehow completes the proportions rather than unbalancing them.

A metallic rim and the familiar Orval lettering provide almost all the decoration. On this example the lettering is enamelled, giving it a noticeably raised surface. Look closely and it isn't quite perfect: parts of the dark blue printing stray slightly from the pale outline, while the final letter appears incompletely printed. These look more like imperfections in manufacture than later wear.

There are no date or manufacturer's markings, so I cannot reliably age the glass. I own another subtly different version of the same design, but this heavier example has been chosen as the Museum's Type Specimen.

Orval

Explore more

This Brewery

This Place

More Glasses

Explainer

Glasses Orval

Exhibit information

Explore more

This Brewery

This Place

More Glasses

Explainer

Orval