Ommegang Abbey Ale

A sweet, rich beer that is definitely right up my alley. I sandwiched it in between two great Unibroues though, and I think maybe it would stand up better on its own. Yummy yum though!

(Bottle) Pours a light hazy dark reddish brown colour with and off white to light brown head. The aroma is fantastic and fat with clear tones of, malt, caramel, toffee, sugar, honey, doughy yeast, dark fruits like resins, figs and plums, lighter fruits like apples, sweet oranges and pineapples. Sweet but also a bit sourish. In addition, some berry notes of grapes and cherries. Undertones of tobacco and liquorice. The nose is more like an English BW than a Belgian strong. The flavour is sweet malty, sugary and dark fruity but also a bit tart and sourish. Vinous tart with grape sand cherries. The caramel and toffee tones are more laidback in the flavour. Finish is dry and spicy with a touch of chocolate/cocoa and anise. The mouthfeel is quite rich, warming, round and creamy with a champagne carbonation that dies out pretty fast. Light bitter. The sourish orange notes plays well with the sweetness and make the beer less cloying. Medium to full bodied. This is a very special example of the style and in my book a better example than many of the beer in the same category.

After fighting with the cork for a while- Pours a flakey bronze into a stemmed tulip glass. Small bubbles of carbonation make up the great tan head. Very aromatic musty oak and flowery with hints of caramel. Tastes of sweet caramel and fruit dance on the tongue while the slight alcohol burn is surprising for only being 8%. Higher in alcohol percent and mouthfeel, but still a very drinkable beer.

Bottle. Pours dark brown with a beige head. Sweet and fruity malt aroma with notes of caramel and raisin. Medium body. Flavor is sweet, dark fruit, and yeast. Notes of dark fruit, berry, caramel, and bread. Finish is a little bit alcoholy. A pretty good beer, good to share with friends.

Despite the drama of the lacey head and the robust copper presentation, the taste here is a bit too chocolatey for me. Sure, it feels great from the moment it touches the lips through the swallow, but it’s just a bit too heavy for me preferences. Upon further consideration, that’s all good!

Bottle. Opaque dark ruby, medium head. Fresh, fruity aroma with some alcohol sting. Taste is like a less full quadruple, with a dry finish. There is some sourness in it as well. Quite interesting on the whole.

One of the better Belgian styles done in the US. And here in Missouri, one of our better places to eat keeps it on the beer list. Malty. Dark. Brown. Very nice.

Bottle (75 cl) from Systembolaget. Hazy ruby/mahogny with a medium beige head. Fruity. earthy. spicy and fudgy with notes of clove and orange peels. Medium bodoed and smooth, good balance, ok strong belgian but nothing special.