Quickly, to Jmckee:
Of all the great Trappist beers, Orval is the most misunderstood, the most difficult to love; not surprised that you find it awful. Won’t suggest you give it another try just yet…I hated it the first time I had it also. But after 100 or so other Belgians including most of the other Trappists, I went back, and found it great! Of course, this is off the topic in a sense, but please don’t let Orval prejudice you against other Belgian beers! Probably the greatest brewing nation on Earth, with a range that is really remarkable.

And getting back to bad beers, anybody mention Red,White & Blue yet? Uggh. Sub-Meisterbrau, if that’s possible. My Dad’s favorite for a while, along with Blatz (never had it thank God) and Busch (one of the 5 worst beers ever IMHO). Don’t remember RWB all that well, but am sure its one of the world’s worst.