Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison) - Brewery Ommegang

Kuaff

Alaska

4.34/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Ooooohhhh man. This is a good one. Poured chilled from a big 750 mL bottle into a tulip glass on a 90-degree June day.

Massive four-finger, fluffy white head atop a body that's a cloudy straw color. I can see yeast sediments! (I love yeast sediment.)

The scent is full of grainy yeast, bananas and green apples, cloves, ginger, and sweet, buttery corn, believe it or not. An outstanding combination.

It tastes straightforward and GOOD. Yeasty, sweet white bread infused with a bit of dry, fruity tartness.

The feel is totally crisp and refreshing. That's all.

An awesome saison and fantastic American take on a Belgian ale style. It's easy to see why it's so popular. I could enjoy this anytime, but like people say, it's ESPECIALLY nice in the sweltering heat.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2013 22:58:52 | More by Kuaff

Burkbom23

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Pale yellow color with huge white head that leaves a ton of lacing on the glass. Pretty hazy and lots of yeast floating around the glass. I obviously ignored the instructions on the bottle that said to be careful not to disturb the yeast. crazy amount of bubbles. Clean crisp aroma. Some spice, cloves and coriander come to mind. Definite wheat. Very citrusy. The taste has lots of citrus as well. Orange, lemon. Spicy. Some alcohol, some grain, very flavorful. Slight bitterness in the finish. Light medium body, good crispness, spritzy. Really drinkable smooth beer. Excellent Saison. Best of this style that I have had so far I believe.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 22:48:31 | More by Burkbom23

mattcrill

Ohio

4.25/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Aroma: Moderate clove and white pepper aromas up front. Background fruity esters that remind me of fresh cut musk melon and cantaloupe. Possibly some earthy hop aromatics.

Appearance: Cloudy amber pour with a fluffy white cap that retains well.

Flavor: More ripe melons, slightly peppery, mild clove. Earthy hop bitterness balances out the light crackery malt base. Balance is to the spiciness/bitterness. Finish is very clean and dry.

Mouthfeel: Light bodied and spritzy. Carbonic bite is appropriate. No alcohol heat, creaminess, or astringency.

Overall impression: Well crafted and well worth the hype. Not my favorite style but I can understand why it gets good press.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2013 20:47:15 | More by mattcrill

JohnG190

New York

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Samuel Adams Sensory Perfect Pint glass. Hazy straw with 2 fingers of creamy, white head that settles onto a foamy cap that lasts throughout. Spicy aroma - mostly clove and pepper - with a hint of fruitiness. Lots of Belgian yeast character. Tart upfront and through the finish. Nicely balanced. Light bodied and crisp with effervescent carbonation. Finishes dry with a slight bitterness. Well balanced and extremely flavorful. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 21:54:59 | More by JohnG190

utopiajane

New York

4.45/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Hennepin is my everyday favorite from Ommegang. It’s a lighthearted, somewhat prickly farmhouse saison. Pours a cloudy straw yellow with a great big head that lasts. Laces well. The citrus is not as prominent as some saisons but it’s there, and it’s not sour. Earthy flavors lend balance to the forwardly floral hops. The malt exudes a tender sweetness that’s somehow masculine. A great dubbel, easy to drink, mellow, a little peppery. Mouthfeel is crisp and light. In the glass this beer is equitable and upright. Bravo!

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2013 12:17:06 | More by utopiajane

Oakenator

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours a deep yellow with some orange. Thick, creamy head retains well through consumption.

S: Citrus and spices.

T: Refreshing, citrus, ginger, sweet and other garden spices.

M: Light yet excellent body - well balanced.

O: Really well done and refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2013 02:02:02 | More by Oakenator

LI_PO12

Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Bottle into tulip (Packaged on 4/03/2013, best by 04/2015).

Appearance- Golden straw, pretty clear, massive white head that lasts

Aroma-Spicy, hay, peppery, Farmhouse funk, some fruitiness, light malt, slight hop as well, complex

Flavor- spicy, a little tart, fruity sweetness up front but finishes dry, pepper notes, crisp, slight alcohol

Mouthfeel- Medium bodied, medium high carb, slight alcohol warmth

Overall- A very nice Saison, I can't believe I waited this long to try it. Very drinkable at the abv. Would recommend.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2013 03:46:42 | More by LI_PO12

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.16/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

appearance: Quite hazy golden straw. Huge head on the pour that recedes to a still substantial white head. Messy lacing.
smell: Inviting yeasty, fruity with a touch of funk
taste: Much like the nose though drier, with a bit of pepper in the finish.
mouthfeel: Light and foamy.
overall: 1st time for me and I'm a fan.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2013 20:50:34 | More by cindyjeffsmith

Jonada

New Jersey

3.91/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

12oz bottled on 2/8/2013. Served in a pint glass.

Appearance: Golden yellow in color with 3 fingers of a soapy white head. Body is relatively hazy with quite a bit of fine suspended sediment.

Smell: Lots of spices. Clove, coriander, banana, white pepper, and orange. Big Belgian yeast character.

Taste: Follows the nose, with the orange, citrus character being more pronounced than in the aroma. Slightly tart upfront and through the finish. Citrus, spice and yeast characters are all present, without one overwhelming the other.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and crisp. Carbonation is on the high end of medium. Finishes dry with a very light bitterness.

Overall: Well balanced, extremely flavorful, and easily available saison. I'd recommend this to anyone from an experienced saison drinker to someone who's just getting into the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2013 01:41:11 | More by Jonada

alaimoa

Connecticut

4.24/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750ml with a cork, large amount of carbonation with initial cork pop. Pours with large white head and light golden/straw color. Smells fruity/citrusy orange, lemon, pineapple rind.
Tastes crisp and doesn't leave much of an after taste. Some of the fruit and yeastiness comes through but mostly subtle
Overall a tasty farmhouse.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2013 12:09:04 | More by alaimoa

mikem0487

Pennsylvania

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into tulip glass. Bottled on 1/09/13.

A-Poured a huge dense and foamy white head. A mildly hazy golden yellow body.

S-The nose is very appealing. Nice spice notes of coriander and black pepper. With the spices it contains earthy clove, banana, baked bread and orange rind. All these different aromas mix in very well with one another.

T-The taste of this beer is amazing all around and follows suit with the smell. Citrus, coriander and clove. At the end of the palate has a dank earthiness with the banana like sweetness coming out. Very enjoyable balanace with the malts and hops. Finishes with a refined bitterness that does not last long.

M-Medium, effervescent body. Not as dry of a finish as I was expecting. But overall what you expect from the style.

O-Highly enjoyable saison that does not disappoint. Pick up a 750 or 4 pack now...

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 01:47:42 | More by mikem0487

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.36/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It has a nice hazy light golden/yellow color to it. It has a nice thick white head that dies down moderately slow and leaves some nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of lemon, citrus, peppery spices, cloves and belgian yeast.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some lemon upfront with some citrus notes, cloves, some pepper and some yeast.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium/high carbonation with a very nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with great flavors and aromas. Very refreshing on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2013 19:20:03 | More by SebD

BTVflatlander

Vermont

4.46/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750ml bomber into a Fantôme snifter.

A: Very golden, attractive.

S: Classic saison.

T: Clean, crisp, belgian saison. Almost perfect taste, and definitely hitting the nail on the head for a widely-available, higher-alcohol saison.

M: Light enough for the warmer months and yet warming enough for fall.

O: A fantastic belgian farmhouse saison. Of the 4 saisons I've had, this is certainly up there among the best of 'em. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 18:14:56 | More by BTVflatlander

Fatehunter

Oregon

3.86/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured two fingers of head on a cloudy, light straw colored body.
The aroma is spicy with banana, orange peal and lemon. Pretty good.
The taste is great. Leads with spice, mild bitterness with a touch of sweetness to round it out.
Medium body with a fizzy texture but the carbonation stays in a nice range.
A great saison.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 23:05:26 | More by Fatehunter

HerculesRM

South Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Hazy gold with a gigantic white head (pour it into a 16 ounce glass). Smells like yarrow and milkweed, like an overgrown field (typical of saisons). Flavours of coriander, yellow curry, fresh cut grass, booze. You have to like saisons to appreciate this, but it's a good one.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 22:36:04 | More by HerculesRM

raoulduke25

Georgia

4.31/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was a gift from a dear friend. Much appreciated, bro.

The first thing I notice is that no matter how slowly and methodically I pour it, a foamy head quickly develops. The beer pours smoothly and after it is done, there appear in the glass tiny colloidal particles that hang suspended in the glass, through the entire depth.

The smell is heavenly, soft, unobtrusive. A light malt waft is sensed when one dips his nose into the glass.

The taste is mellow but not without complexity. It's almost as if too many layers exist to parse in one sip. Hence, many sips were taken to identify all the many parts, but I remained unsuccessful in my ability catalogue them all.

The mouthfeel, though admittedly unimportant compared to taste, was much less viscous than one would think based on appearance.

Overall, this ale is excellent, a definite keeper of the Belgian brewing tradition.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 04:28:03 | More by raoulduke25

kini

Hawaii

3.61/5  rDev -13.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I first had a bottle with the same label as in the photo which was in fact brewed in Belgium by Duvel. It would've rated at least a 4. Clearly superior to the second bottle brewed in NY with a silver label.

Color, taste, look, head, mouthfeel were all superior from the Duvel brewed version. The newest version tasted more like triple to me.

Overall average and will be sticking with abbey ale from ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2013 00:48:56 | More by kini

alex_hart

Oklahoma

4.21/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

appearance: a beautiful hazy golden straw color with a 3 finger head that slowly dissapates to a thin layering on top of the beer. good, thick, creamy lacing throughout.

smell: that wonderful belgian funk that i cherish dearly, along with hay, some sweet florals, and citrus (mainly orange).

taste: delicious. plain and simple. much like the nose with the belgian yeast coming forward perfectly.

moutfeel: smooth, light, fluffy. light to medium bodied

overall: this just took over tank 7 in my "favorites" for this category. touche ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 22:38:59 | More by alex_hart

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.06/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a crystal clear, completely translucent, light gold with a HUGE pure white head. The foam takes forever to settle, and a ton of lacing is left on the glass as it drinks.

S: The nose is lemon citrus, light malt, pepper, gym sock, and a bit of stinky cheese. I also get a bit of grass, and some mineral rich well water. Srs.

T: This beer is sweet to start with a nice light malt bill. As it shirts to the back of the palate I get that grassy taste and bit of light citrus. Once the beer has moved off the tongue, the spices begin to shine. I get big pepper notes as it dries.

M: Light bodied beer. This is an incredibly easy drinker for a 7.7% beer. It's sweet and wet to start tightens up in the middle and get really dry on the back end. The spice shines through as it dries and it lingers until the next sip.

O: This is a really nice beer, but It's not my favorite saison. I'd definitely drink this beer again, but I'm not going to go crazy over it. Yet another well made beer from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 01:36:46 | More by trxxpaxxs

bmwats

Louisiana

3.64/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a footed tulip.

A: Hazy hay colored hue. Pours a 1 finger, persistent, bubbly, white head. Settles slowly, and unevenly. A little rising effervescence present. Thick peak and valley lacing.

S: Fermented fruit, lemon citrus, sourdough bread, and wet hay.

T: Really pungent, and bitter pecan shells, lemon rind, and soda water.

M: Pungent all the way through. Light and crisp. Dry finish. Very acidic.

D: Sip and enjoy.

Atmosphere is really solid. Nice hue, great head, and some pretty nice lacing. Nose is fermented, woody, wet and sour fruit and hay. Tastes like it smells. Pungent and bitter fruit rind and pecan shells. Overall, this is a pretty good quaff.

...This may be a truly great quaff, but saisons are not my favorite. Just a corollary to explain why my opinion may be way off.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 03:43:28 | More by bmwats

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.1/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours pale, golden yellow with a lot of chunks and carbonation bubbles circling around. The beer pours with a nice tight white head on it that settles to a quarter of a fingers width and leaves a thin lacing of tight, dry bubbles. On the nose, the beer smells strongly of spiced coriander with hints of orange peel, and ginger. There is also distinct bananay yeast in the background giving lovely character to the nose, while the hops and yeast are properly downplayed with lights notes of grass and hay and some wheat notes. On the tongue, the beer tastes creamy sweet and grassy bitter with lots of spice character. The flavor begins as orange peel and light wheat malt before being steamrolled away by heavy coriander spices with hints of pickling ginger. This moves into bitter grassy hops and banana yeast. The finish gives a fresh kiss of coriander infused orange juice with just a hint of sweet wheat bread before mellowing into an aftertaste of light coriander spice and yeasty banana funk. In the mouth, the beer tastes creamy smooth and medium in body with a touch of fierce carbonation that mellows into a clean scrubbing of the tongue. The mouth is left slightly dry but clean. Overall this is a solid and interestingly flavored beer. They’re a little heavy handed with the coriander spicing, which hurts the other flavors, but these flavors still show through and are beautiful and fresh in feel. This is a classic American saison in a Belgian-style. Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 19:31:32 | More by Maxwell

BigBarley

Texas

3.35/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a crisp, bright gold. Almost completely clear, with the exception of the swirling sediment and the extremely active carbonation. Yields about 1.5 fingers of head that recedes over time to a floating cap of foam.

Fresh banana and clove smell up front, touch of citrus and coriander right below. Stand out smells of wild yeast all around. Fits the style well, keeping that funk balanced with the sweet, fruity undertones

Interesting. There's a bitterness wrapped around this beer that gives it a sour flavor. Very sweet but subdued by the funky presence. Similar to some Hefe flavors, with the presence of coriander and a clove taste, but the dominant quality is this funky sourness. Pretty interesting to say the least.

Somewhat thick, but refreshing in it's own way. Pretty much the standard mouth for the style, but goes down easier than some.

Not a bad Saison, but the flavor doesn't really wow me. It's enjoyable, but it doesn't really surprise or excite, and it falls short because of the way some notes clash.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 11:39:19 | More by BigBarley

TastyAdventure

Kentucky

3.7/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

A - alightly cloudy gold. Big 2 finger head that doesnt go anywhere, big soapy bubbles.

S - yeast, sweet bubblegum. similar to a few weiss biers i've had lately.

T - mild sweet bubblegum that has spice in the background that makes it more enjoyable. slightly dry. crisp. hops are there but their bitterness is mixed with the dryness so it's hard to differentiate, but definitely refreshing and enjoyable.

M - Carbonation is definitely refreshing, but not overwhelming with too much of it. Slight sweet syrup touch, slick, i'd say.

O - didnt quite live up to the hype for me, but this is just my second saison. If I would drink it again, It'd be on a hot summer day and I would've had it nearly ice cold.

Not sure if it's worth the steep price.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 01:18:53 | More by TastyAdventure

Benish

Wisconsin

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Poured from bottle into a snifter glass. It had an awesome foamy head. It almost covered half my glass and remained that way for a good 5 minutes (I poured gently into the glass). The color is a cloudy or hazy yellow (like most Belgium beers); nothing can be seen on the other side of the glass except light. Lacings were present.

I smelled cloves, other spices, gingerbread and some apricots. I do get ripen bananas as well!

It taste great. It has a fruity flavor yet it was not too sweet like I expected it to be. I have to admit this is my first Saison beer. There is an equal of sweetness and bitterness which makes this great. It also had that spiciness that came with the smell of cloves and other spices.

I opened this bottle in March but I have read that it is really refreshing to indulge during the summer months. I do think this beer complements well with all seasons. Drinking it right now felt like a perfect occasion. It could be opened on a cold rainy day or on a hot sunny day. Best drink cold before the beverage warms up if drinking on a hot day.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2013 03:36:17 | More by Benish

Someguy1_8t

California

4.73/5  rDev +13.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Got from the Whole Foods Market in Northridge

Served in a Tulip Glass

Appearance - pale straw like color. Hazy, with plenty of carbonation, and about a finger of moderately diminishing head

Aroma- floral citrusy hops. Belgian candied yeast. Banana and spice

Taste- fruits like banana,pears, and apples. Candied sugar and clove spice.

Mouthfeel - light to medium bodied. Plenty of carbonation slight dry finish. Crisp!

Overall- great example of the style that I would definitely recommend. Very refreshing

Serving type: bottle

03-26-2013 04:14:49 | More by Someguy1_8t