Ommegang Biere de Mars

Brewed by Brewery Ommegang (Moortgat)
Style: Bière de Garde
Cooperstown, New York USA

750ml bottle from South Bay Drugs. Been wanting to try this one for quite some time. Pours a mostly clear rusty orange color with a 2 finger thick off white head. Nose was very Bretty with light hops underneath it all. Flavor was also very Brett influenced with a light fruitiness and the finish was almost bone dry. A little different than expected but, good none the less.

From a 750mL Bottle. Mostly transparent, pale copper colored body with a tall head of fizzy ivory. Fruity pear esters blend pleasantly with some spicy brett characters to create an enticing bouquet. Hints of pineapple and pear are complimented by a rustic yeasty spice and a soft, herbal hop character. Just a hint of biscuity malts in the nose. Light bodied, highly carbonated mouthfeel with a dry, yet soft texture. Flavors of lightly toasted biscuity malt emerge up front on the palate, balanced by a moderate herbal hop note. The brett begins to emerge soon after, creating a musty, spicy earthiness. More of the dusty, funky brett in the flavor rather than the tropical fruit from the nose, but it works well with the hop profile. The brett is really well integrated into this beer; it contributes several layers of complexity without being overly funky. The best part is that it creates an impression of an aged, rustic BdG without sacrificing hops or revealing oxidation.

Bottle from Wally’s - thanks Carl. Not quite the Old World specimen that Southampton’s BdG is. Aroma is clean and malty - reminded me of a German lager. Color is a pretty but plain amber-brown. Flavor is more malt, very slight Brett, mild Belgian hops, subtle lemon and mild grass. I bet that after a year or three it’s better.

Bottle: pours a cloudy dark amber with a big frothy white head, very mild aroma of banana, citrus and spices, taste is mildy sour, a little funky, some spices, finishes dry.

Bottle at the 09 Belgian Beer Fest. Cloudy orange pour. Banana, spice, light fruit, herbal hops, lemon, and grass. Drinkable, overall it’s alright.

Bottle. Pours slightly hazy amber with a ton a white head with some lacing. Aroma is of fruit, floral hops and a hint of alcohol. Flavor is slightly bitter with a lot of spice combine with a fruitiness accented by sour note to clean the flavor up but also linger on the palate. Also a slight malt sweetness for balance. Very long flavor. The remaining head provides a nice lively aspect to the beer. Brett becomes more noticeable as it warms. Not overly alcoholic, very drinkable. Good stuff.

Bottle courtesy of Cletus Batch #1 tasted in April 2009: Poured a clear medium amber color ale with a quite big bubbly head with minimal retention and some light lacing. Aroma of zesty Brett notes with some great Belgian style malt. Taste is quite a complex mix with some dry Bretty notes, some zesty refreshing notes with a lightly sweet bold Belgian malt backbone. Body is about average with some good carbonation. Very well done and something I wish I could have more often.

Date: March 21, 2009
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting
Appearance: hazy burnt orange, dense off white head, drippy lace
Aroma: sweet and fruity aroma with a big spicy character, light earthy funk
Flavor: rich malt flavor, touch of caramel sweetness, plenty of spicyness, light balancing earthy bitterness
Aroma: 6/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 12/20
Rating: 3.2/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: *4