Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison) - Brewery Ommegang

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a chalice)

A- A hazy lemon yellow body with a thin white head that last for the full glass. It is a bit to hazy to see any carbonation in this beer.

S- The dry faint tart notes come through with a faint lemon zest hint in the finish. There is a very light earthy hint to the tartness.

T- The dry tart flavors can't really be associated with anything and it is followed by a faint spicy note that is hard to describe also. The faint taste of black pepper and lemon/grapefruit start to come through. There is a faint soapy taste that in pleasant with a light bitterness from hops at the finish.

M-This beer has a medium light mouthfeel that is crisp.

D-This beer might sound awful the way I described it in my review but it was very taste with a very mysterious flavor that was hard to put into words. This beer is proof that you can make a fizzy yellow beer that taste great.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2006 19:49:54 | More by rhoadsrage

Billolick

New York

4.28/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was happy to track down bottle # 1127 from the 2003 vintage at American Bev. in Cobble hill, Brooklyn, NY., Just a week or two ago. The cork was a bit tougher to get out then usual. Pours a cloudy orange/yellow shade, lots of tiny yeast particles floating around. Head was fairly active, but settled to a fine film, and leaves respectable, fine, long strands of lacing. Nose is at once Smokey,spicy, with pepper,cloves, and ginger picked up. This is a fine example of the style. Earthy, peppery, fruits,smoke,yeast. Hops cleansing the tongue and making it want more of this fine heady creation. Support Ommegang, they are pushing the Belgian/American brew concept into great places.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2005 14:09:29 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

3.63/5  rDev -13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into my Duvel tulip.

a - Pours a murky golden color with one finger of fluffy white head that leaves quickly, and high carbonation evident.

s - Smells strongly of bananas, spices, and yeast. Some cloves, orange, and citrus as well. Not much funk but enjoyable.

t - Tastes of bananas, spices, cloves, yeast, alcohol, and light citrus and fruit.

m - Light to medium body and high carbonation that stings the tongue.

d - An ok saison but nothing amazing. It smelled pretty good, but thought the high carbonation and the alcohol in the taste hurt it a bit. No funk anywhere either. Would try again but wouldn't really seek out.

Serving type: bottle

08-24-2010 22:54:20 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.18/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle obtained via trade with <sigh> I forget, someone out in NY. Thanks for the opportunity... Corked and caged, cave-aged in Howe Caverns, released 8Oct05, according to hangtag.

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed a 1 1/2" bright white head over the cloudy orangey golden brew. Head lasts due to heavy fueling of small bubbles from the bottom, with ample heavy frothy lace. Aroma is lightly of spicy sweetness. Taste starts with pale maltiness, quickly exhibiting the ample spicing, which lasts through the crisp close. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both superb. Still liking this one.

3/31/05 - 4.5/4/4/4.5/4.5

750ml bottle obtained via trade with LuckySevens82. Thanks for the opportunity... Bottle 0378 of 3360, corked and caged, cave-aged in Howe Caverns, according to hangtag.

Poured into a Hennepin glass, formed a 1 1/2" eggshell head over the effervescent golden brew. Head lasts well, due to rejuvenation from all the bubbles, with beautiful frothy lace covering everywhere. Aroma is subtle notes of sweetness coupled with light fruitiness. Taste is upfront with sweet pale malts, switching to some spiciness and light fruits, and a crisp light close. Not really any sharp edges here, probably the cave-aging at work. Mouthfeel and drinkability are both excellent. A nice saison, perhaps not as complex as some others out there, but worth your time.

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2008 01:22:14 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Scott Ross for this...
Appears a transparent light gold with a small white head that slowly fades out.
Smell is of vanilla cream, Belgian yeast, pils malt, funky sour noted esters, light caramel, and mild hoppy citrus notes.
Taste is of the mentioned aromas. This one actually reminds me a tad of Dupont although more depth to this one and more of a sugary taste.
Mouthfeel is bitter-sweet, mildly sour in a refreshing medium body.
I like this Americanized version of a farmhouse. Pretty good stuff.

Serving type: growler

08-14-2006 17:31:31 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

4.8/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a cloudy gold colored brew with heavy carbonation.

Smell is apples and lemons, sage, flowers, spices, pears, and 20 more things I can't pin down at the moment.

Taste is sweet, spicy and complex. Perfume flavors abound like lavender, pepper, roses, apples, nutmeg, nuts, yeast, bread, and 10-20 more flavors.

Mouthfeel is much like Champagne, or Duvel.

Super drinkable, this is very similar to Duvel. Super pleasant to drink. Think of this as the Batman that opposes the Duvel Joker.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2004 05:59:39 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a very hazy golden, huge white head forms, good retention and lots of lace. Smell is sweet, honey, some cork, wheat, citrus, spice and yeast. Taste is sweet with notes of honey, spice, very malty, wheat, caramel and yeast. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium to high carbonation. Good beer but I don't think I'd put it in the top 100.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2006 03:02:04 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This brew is a chill hazed golden and throws out a big pufffy white head that has nice retention. Pretty sweet aroma with this one. Honey like. Almost like a braggot or that Midas Touch brew. There's also some fruity esters perceived on the nose. Maybe some slight herbalness too. Nice aroma. Now this is a style of Belgian beers I can get into. This is really nice tasting. It is sweet, but kept in check with the hops, herbs and spices (which I will only try to take a stab at). There could be something like Rosemary or Marjoram throwing some pizzaz into this brew. I like it whatever it is. This brew really has a nice earthiness to it. Very unique taste. But very drinkable. Honey also seems to be perceived on the tongue. This is a light-medium bodied brew. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2002 20:47:09 | More by Bighuge

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a beauiful golden color with a big creamy white head. Spicy aroma of coriander and citrus. Carbonationup front that is not too overpowering. Spicy with ntes of citrus balanced out by a hint of slight malt. The amount of spice perfectly balances out the sweet/sour flavor and reults in a crisp dry finish. Very good.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2008 08:47:58 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.4/5  rDev -18.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Cloudy yellow haze, with a frothy big head. Aroma of clove and spice.

Taste, I dunno what the big deal is, tastes simply like a combo hefe and pale wheat beer. Some citrus notes, mostly lemon. Seems like an imperial hefe at times. Stays nice and dry with its tang, light bodied. Wish the clove stayed more in the background.

I dunno, you could just go buy 6 SN Kellarweis or something for this price.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2010 16:28:59 | More by Beerandraiderfan

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -16.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

First had: on tap at Johnny Brenda's, Philly, PA

I first had this on tap, not knowing it was an Ommegang brew until I looked it up later. It's a tasty saison. Pretty smooth and flavorful but nothing to get overwhelmed about.

Pours a hazy golden color with a nice white head that retains and laces well. Yeasty aroma, with hints of citrus, grass, and light spice. Biscuity taste, with flavors of orange zest, apple, banana; grassy with notes of spice. Light-medium mouthfeel, and easily drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2011 19:04:47 | More by Rifugium

lacqueredmouse

Australia

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

Uncorks without much encouragement, leaving a lovely cascade of carbon dioxide running down the sides of the bottle. Pours a hazy yellow gold colour, with a lovely, frothy, crackling head of white foam. Loose-bubbled though it is, it sticks around for quite a while. Nice.

Nice sweet lemon citrus, funk and grassy organics on the nose, lots of pleasant acidity to create a thoroughly refreshing aroma. Some light yeast notes come through as the head collapses, grounding the beer a little more. Very nice indeed.

Gritty organic bitterness on the palate, initially sharp, but with that sweet citric note coming through on the rear. Very clean and crisp. Sparkling and effervescent, which adds some great refreshing notes to the brew.

Clean, crisp and refreshing. A pleasure to drink, and a fantastic alternative to cold pale lager for a summer beverage. The 7.5% might take hold after a while, though.

This is an excellent Saison. Once again, Ommegang truly do give the Belgians a run for their money.

Serving type: bottle

06-06-2009 02:04:30 | More by lacqueredmouse

DoubleJ

California

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at the Yard House in Brea, on to the beer:

Poured into a goblet, it's blonde in color with a nice little head. This is a totally new style to me, so I didn't know what to expect. It was mildly fruity with grape and pear and a pinch of candy-like sweetness. The flavors aren't overbearing, and finishes pretty dry, making this a brew I could sip on all night.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2007 06:37:15 | More by DoubleJ

glid02

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Corner Tavern in L5P in Atlanta.

Pours a slightly hazy golden color with a one-finger white head. The head recedes into a thin layer on top leaving solid lacing.

Smells of medium fruits - green apples and pears - backed by light malts and large amounts of peppery spices.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Crisp light malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by sweet green apple and lighter pear and apricot flavors. Midway through the sip peppery spices make an appearance, carrying through to a mildly bitter ending, leaving grassy notes lingering on the palate.

Mouthfeel is good. It's got a nice thickness with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall there's nothing exceptional about this beer except how well all the flavors complement each other. A quintessential saison done by a great US brewery, well worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2010 01:06:51 | More by glid02

Gusler

Arizona

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer after its release from the 12-ounce brown bottle resides in my glass a crystalline golden amber color with a monsterous creamy light tan head that very slowly erodes leaving a thick and glutinous sheet of lace upon the glass. Nose has a fresh citrus like crispness, tart comes to mind, also a sweet earthiness, start is sweet and perfectly malted, the top is light to medium in feel. Finish is striking in its acidity, hops delectable in their spicy bite, desert bone dry and long lasting is the aftertaste. Ommegang has been a favorite brewery for many years, and I always try to keep a few bottles around.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2005 22:56:45 | More by Gusler

beerthulhu

New Jersey

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a cloudy lemony-wit color with a billowy 2 finger creamy white head that pitted in the middle and had great retention leaving a nice streaky film lacing. Visible carbonation was strong and vibrant.

S: The nose was rather soft and lemony with only very faint traces of bananas.

T: The initial flavor was tart, citric (lemons), with a touch of acidity. A light tropical fruitiness, perhaps pineapples are present with some zesty oranges and a lemony zing. A nice light wheat creaminess is observed with some light oats as well coming through. The beer finishes with a nice acidic bite in the finish with some light bananas, and cloves contributed by the yeast.

M: light, and lively from the strong carbonation with a tart yeastiness of lemon citrus.

D: A great refreshing farmhouse with a tart citric lemons makes this a definite thirst quencher for the summer months. sure to leave you satisfied.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2008 22:49:24 | More by beerthulhu

DrJay

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazed pale gold with a short, bright white head made up of a combination of very fine and rocky bubbles. Great retention and plenty of lacing throughout. Aromas of lemon zest, bready yeast and vinous white wine grapes dominate, but there's a hint of caramel as well. Strong citrus component in the flavour that really lingers backed up by a bit of hop bitterness. Sweetness is light and there's a delicate fruity grape flavour and light spice in the finish. Soft alcohol warmth. Creamy carbonation and lightly palate coating. Off-dry. Refreshing and very enjoyable, this is one well-crafted beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2006 17:27:04 | More by DrJay

HopHead84

California

4.38/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

8/9/2011

On tap at High Dive.

A: Hazy yellow with a creamy one finger head. Good retention and sheets of lacing.

S: Apple, pear, lemon, and orange with notes of pepper and coriander. I get a little hay and grain accompanying perfumy floral notes.

T: The beer has a lower moderate earthy and herbal bitterness up front with lots of fruit. I detect pear, apple, and lemon, with a rustic yeast profile and a light peppery spiciness.

M: Upper light body with high carbonation and a silky, smooth mouthfeel.

Overall: A tasty and refreshing Saison. Enjoyable stuff.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2011 21:41:01 | More by HopHead84

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A very Champagne-esque appearance - consistent streams of carbonation and an anemically pale shade of yellow. The head is bounteous and creamy, continuously growing from the steady contribution of bubbles. A light haze distorts clarity but transparency prevails nonetheless. This, itself, looks like a sunny day.

The aroma is musty in a sort of barnyard kind of way. It abounds notes of farmhouse straw, fresh squeezed lemon, spicy phenols, and under-ripe orchard fruits. It is a charming blend of musty and zesty, grainy and fruity. When my nose dips into that glass it doesn't resurface for quite some time.

The flavours are simple and straightforward - wheat, bread, grains accompanied by a sprinkling of spice and citrus zest. The taste of roses and additional floral notes arise. Flavours of under-ripe fruits - green apple, pear, peach - are also noted. Grains, tang and spice all make equal contributions and combine for a balanced, flavourful beverage.

The carbonation is rather effervescent. Little bursts of bubbles pin-prick the roof of the mouth on each sip. The beer is tremendously refreshing and it's peppery (mustard seed-like?) spice and citrusy fruity esters blend in an intricate manner that becomes only more so with some warmth.

This really does make a valid substitute for Champagne as a sociable drink that could be shared amongst guests. It would make a great welcoming drink and seems to make for a good aperitif as well. This bridges the world of beer drinkers and non-beer drinkers on agreeable grounds of undeniable quaffability.

The brewery will tell you that Hennepin is suited to every season but I'd insist it's absolutely ideal for spring and summer. Wait for a hot, sunny day and sit yourself down with a big bottle of this stuff. Find shade under a tree, nestle up with a good book or share it over a meal with family and friends at the table. Just take my word on it...

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2009 18:07:09 | More by biegaman

kojevergas

California

3.64/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

I've taken a long time to get to this one, but I'm glad to finally get to it. I've educated myself on saisons recently with a lot of Fantome, so I'm confident I can give this the fair review it deserves. 7.70% ABV confirmed. 12 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap acquired at a local bottle shop and served into a New Belgium stem-goblet in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are through the roof given its reputation.

Served straight from the fridge and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

Not paired with food.

A: Pours a two finger white colour head - disappointingly thin - of slight cream, and great retention for the high ABV (~4 minutes). Body colour is a hazy pale yellow-gold. Thin minimal lacing. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Nontransparent. Translucent.

Sm: Crystal malt, brett yeast funkiness, heavy lemon esters and lemon zest, lemongrass, rustic spicing (perhaps cilantro and clove if I had to guess), and pale malts. Maybe a bit of light white pepper. The lemon citric zest is pure and fragrant, evoking a fine dry champagne. Pear effervescence. Honey. Pale grains. A moderate strength evocative aroma. I can't wait to try it. Yeasty and inviting. No alcohol is detectable.

T: Delightful lemon citrus esters and lemon zest; these notes are dominant. Complementary funky yeast as well with notes of clove spice and maybe even a bit of banana and phenol. Some light biscuity character. Crystal malt. Dry pear and champagne notes. A hint of sour green apple - but not to the extent you'd see in a patersbier. Pale unobtrusive malt body. Rustic spices seem primarily yeast-derived. Refreshing and a bit tangy. Some honey. Perhaps some light fermented pineapple. These bright fruit esters also seem to come from the yeast. Little malty sweetness - just enough to aid the balance. I quite like it. What's sorely lacking is white pepper; a quality saison should always have peppery qualities but this one lacks them. Still, it's a balanced and well-layered saison. No alcohol comes through either, and it manages to remain refreshing. It doesn't lack complexity, but saisons are a complex style, and more could certainly be done. Maybe my Fantome consumption has driven up my expectations.

Mf: Smooth and wet, with some effervescent dry champagne qualities as well. Excellent carbonation and thickness, complementing the flavour profile and coaxing out the more subtle flavours. Good palate presence. Refreshing and enjoyable.

Dr: Drinkable and enjoyable. Hides its high ABV well. A quality saison from Ommegang, but it drinks a bit too much like a witbier with its heavy reliance on lemon notes. Still, I quite enjoy it and I'd definitely get it again if I was in the mood for a domestic saison. It's a fine offering and a fairly priced one. Lives up to its reputation. Very refreshing. Bravo, Ommegang.

B

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 05:45:14 | More by kojevergas

Brad007

Vermont

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a very pale color with a very nice, frothy, amount of foam. Heh. My snifter's broke so I had to use a pint glass. Shouldn't matter too much. Aroma is very nice and spicy upfront. I detect raisin, clove and mild apple flavors. A second sniff of the aroma brings up an apple pie flavor and leaves a decent amount of lacing. Taste is much of the same as the aroma except that the spice is more pronounced and the apple flavor seems to be dominant. Goes down very smooth. This is more of a sipping beer as well. Taste is somewhat sour towards the very back of the throat. Definitely a nice Saison!

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2007 01:02:10 | More by Brad007

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.15/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750ml C&C bottle I have been sitting on for awhile just for giggles. Circa 2006-07 vintage. The bottle has conflicting information regarding it's abv. At the bottom it states the abv is 7.5, at the top left corner it states 8.5%. Poured into a Ommegang 10 year anniversary cervoise it appears a clear straw yellow color with a golden center. A finger of white froth dissolves leaving finger-like patterns of lace on the glass. A light swirl revives the cap to a finger of fluff that is yellowish stained.

The smell of this brew is quite fruity with notes of pear and bready grains. Somewhat like caramel with hints of original bubblegum. There is some expected yeasty spice included not really peppery in nature more like clove. There is an evident amount of sulfur and some grassy notes mixed with belgian phenols. The backend is minorly reminiscent of banana.

The taste is sweet with caramel malt and a hint of original bubblegum flavoring. Slight herbal hop inclusion provides a nice balancing bitterness. There are some spiced yeasty notes of clove and faint banana. It is very clean and well balanced.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest level of carbonation. It is quite creamy and smooth in the feel. Very easy drinking with a low alcohol impact despite the conflict of listed abv on the label. Regardless if it is 7.5 or 8.5% abv, it drinks like it is half of that. Exceptionally balanced, this brew has gone through quite a transformation I actually enjoy it more with age on it than a fresh offering. Nice.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2011 16:26:01 | More by stakem

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

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

This nice, corked, 750 mL bottle paired nicely with the Christmas turkey and stuffing.

A: Carefully decanted: Very clear, pilsner-like straw/yellow in colour. Tons of fluffy white head, not much retention, but leaves a nice lace. Mix up the yeast sediment and it becomes quite murky.

S: Earthy, spicy and bready.

T: Spicy, earthy, bready. Slightly bitter, with a hint of tartness in the aftertaste. Mix up the yeast sediment and the earthy flavour is really intensified. The flavours are very light, but still offer some depth and complexity. Very nice.

M: Moderate body, fairly high carbonation.

D: Quite good.

Serving type: bottle

12-26-2005 04:09:21 | More by Derek

Georgiabeer

Georgia

3.78/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a cloudy golden with a big white head that retains pretty well and leaves quite good lacing. Smells of typical Belgian yeasty flavors with some clove and light apple in the mix. There is also quite a pungent sharp smell there as well that cuts through everything. Tastes a little sharp as well, but not necessarily in abad well- kinds a more stinky cheese flavor. Complex, with ripe, musty flavors and some subdued stone fruit. Fades to a more typical saison light yeastiness on the end. Decent body, good balance between creaminess and crispness, but finishes a little limp. Pretty drinkable, a a good value, but there are others similar to this beer I'd reach for first.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2007 01:00:44 | More by Georgiabeer

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a big pillow top off white head. Good retention with decent lace. Color is a slight hazed dark golden copper.

Aroma: mainly of spices, but not a very strong aroma. Lemon zest and orange peel. Funky yeast.

Taste: There is a lot more flavor here then the smell would give away. Very zesty with a lot of spices. Black pepper, orange peel, lemon citrus, and a funky yeast flavor.

Mouthfeel: Citrus and zesty. Medium bodied. Fairly high amount of carbonation. Ends with a spicy and funky aftertaste.

Overall, this beer is pretty good, especially on a hot summer day. Light enough to have a few, but still packs a nice flavor.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2009 03:25:29 | More by mothman