Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison) - Brewery Ommegang

shirfan

New York

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured a cloudy light gold with a retentive, large-bubbled head.

Aroma is estery, fruity, with sour notes of cherries, cloves, pears and alcohol.

Flavor is balanced, light and sweet yet complex at the same time. A pleasant, non-diacetyl sour lemon flavor keeps the sweeter esters in check; pear and a mild clove come through in the finish, with a yeasty, drying aspect. There is no hint of alcohol here other than a slight warming a full 2-3 seconds after the sip is swallowed... but there are leafy, spicy hops as well. Not in a capacity to overpower, but just enough to make things all the more interesting. Never cloying nor thick, this just keeps tempting another sip.. and another...and another.

Hennepin takes all the best qualities of a hefeweisen, belgian, and ale... and combines them into a ridiculously drinkable beer. I'm totally in love with this, and rating accordingly. A new favorite; Premier Gourmet will be seeing my quick return to establish a personal stash, at $5 a bomber.

Serving type: bottle

12-07-2003 21:05:58 | More by shirfan

Shultzerdugen

Missouri

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

75 cl bottle.
I can hardly believe this beer is made in NY!
Cloudy, dark straw copper, but the cloudy was most likely yeast stirred up during transportation. Impressive, chunky head.
Very complex smell: apples, apricot, citrus, malt, horse blanket, alchohol.
What a great taste. This ale compares more than favorably with Begium brews. I had it back to back with Delirium Tremens and was surprised with Hennepin's well balanced hoppiness and smooth malt character. And at roughly $5 a bottle, it is about the best beer bargain I can think of.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2004 12:27:41 | More by Shultzerdugen

Chadbrew

Delaware

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

The style description inspired me to pick this up. Beautiful packaging, corked and caged and a few facts about the beer and the brewer.
Golden color up against the light. Fluffy little head that's off-white with tan and yellow dimples.
Smell - Wow! Very fruity and sweet but balanced with a great hit of yeast and malt. I smell raisins and bananas, yum.
It tastes very unlike anything I've had so far. It's sharp and flavorful, full of fruit and malt.
Mouthfeel - good full body and a sweet syrupy finish. I feel like I'm eating more than drinking it.

Note - I've tried a couple of Belgian style beers in the past and never been impressed... this has changed my opinion. This may be my favorite beer to date. If you try this beer do yourself a favor and pick up more than one.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2005 00:12:11 | More by Chadbrew

woemad

Washington

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle purchased at Daanen's in Hayden, ID for $2.75. Oddly enough, this was only $0.25 more than a Twilight Ale.

Poured a orange/gold color. Fairly cloudy looking, with a big, thick fluffy white head that took forever to drop, and left luxurious sheets of lace dripping down the insides of my St.Bernardus goblet.

Smell was of sweet malts, grapefruit, spices and a musty earthiness. This smelled absolutely delicious. The sweetness was exquisitly paired with the dry, citrusy grapefruit scent.

The taste measured up to the smell. The earthy, grainy flavor was what I noted first. Then the sweet maltiness and dry, grapefruit flavor pass through, with the citrusy flavor being a little bit stronger. The swallow ends in a crisp dry, grassy note.

As with the greatest homegrown Belgians, the body and carbonation feel just right.

This is a great beer. This could turn out to be the highlight of my recent beer trip to northern Idaho. I really hope this shows up in Huckleberry's soon, though I wouldn't call 40 miles too far to go to get this.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2005 03:37:59 | More by woemad

barknee

New York

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

There is no doubt that this is an exceptional product. Enjoyable at the brewery on tap or in bottle; either way you can taste the love here! VIA the pour you will receive a nice bulky-chunky dense foamy head, of which some remained throughout the entire sampling experience. The aroma is one of fine yeast and clean doughy must; completely appealing and totally appropriate. The hue of light clover honey fills the glass with a noticeable haze from the presence of the generous quantity of yeast within. The taste is awesome; honey-lemon laden fruit cake, good bitter citric element just rides to the point of being discernable-hiding waiting to be noticed. The combination of the refreshing citric element, honorable weight and flavors bursting from the seams makes this a virtual session brew lacking the cloying heaviness of some of it's counterparts. With a meal or just plain "neat", this Saison will please the "farmer" in all of us! (See you at the "Farm" in July when Belgium comes to
Cooperstown!!)

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2005 00:06:20 | More by barknee

Iguana

Oregon

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearence - Poured a brilliant golden-orange into my goblet, with a small creamy white head that never went away. Looks great, wish I had a camera to take a pic of it.

Smell - Smells of citrus, like ripened lemon's with a bit of zestyness, really smells enticing.

Taste - Wow, starts off sweet, with a nice bready flavor which subsides into a lemon/orange citrus taste. As it warms up the bready flavor is up front and the citrus comes out more, warming up a little only makes this better.

Mouthfeel - Smooth, bubbly, slightly earthy. Goes down smooth, and feels nice in the mouth.

Drinkability - Had a 750ml bottle, and I want more! This was good, was my first saison style and now I want another.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2006 00:49:13 | More by Iguana

bignick

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml champagne style bottle purchased at the bewery. Cave-Aged Version. Poured into an Ommegang glass.

As good as the regular Hennepin is, this version that was aged in caves for eight months in upstate New York is even better. It is not as sharp, and is slightly sweeter. There is a slight apple sweetness to both the smell and the taste that is wonderful. The is still a slight spicy bite upfront, but it mellows into a wonderfully smooth finish. This is one of the best domestic beer I have had the pleasure to try. I think it might be even better with another few months of aging, that would allow it to mellow even more.

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2006 02:34:55 | More by bignick

IntriqKen

California

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ok...first time I am tasting this beer...really.
Pours a beautiful orange/yellow clear liquid with a nice half finger head that melts very slowly to fine lacing.
Aroma is both belgium yeasts, which I love, and fresh tropical fruits....oranges, mangos, pineapple.
Taste is sharply tart of citrus with bananas and a substantial drying.
I am sure there is more complexity than I am describing, but I am drinking this with a dinner of smoked ribs and cole slaw and I can see how people say it goes with everything.
The ribs are spicy and the coleslaw is full of vinegar, but the Hennepin washes the pallet perfectly with it's dry bitterness leaving you ready for the next bite....totallly clean.
Wonderful brew.
Yes...it is the perfect dinner beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-04-2006 02:40:07 | More by IntriqKen

ROMER79

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

All I can say is pure liquid gold. It pours a murky gold color with a white two finger head. It had a grainy,citrusy smell with a bit of hops thrown in. Big citrus and wheat flavor with a bit of honey. A very refreshing and crisp beer. It is easily a session beer for me.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2008 22:32:48 | More by ROMER79

PhillyStyle

Georgia

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is possibly one of the best beers that I have ever had. It was on-tap and served in a tulip glass. It was a slightly hazy yellow/wheat color. It had a very white head that was retained for a little while. It gave off a nice citrus aroma with additional hints of spices and yeast. At first I thought this was a Witbier until the bartender told me otherwise as the taste did have similar characteristics. The carbonation was good and the beer was very smooth. Overall this beer is very drinkable in any setting, perhaps not as a session beer, but should be enjoyed early and often.

Serving type: on-tap

05-02-2008 20:43:01 | More by PhillyStyle

rtratzlaff

North Carolina

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-Tap. Poured into a tulip glass.

1" white head above a body on the yellow side of light amber. Carbonation steadily flows holding the head which leaves good lacing.

Smells of some sweet fruitiness but a good amount of peppery spiciness.

Tastes are sweet Belgian sugar flavors, some lemony fruitiness, pepper. The malt flavors along the lines of fresh baked bread. A warmth his the palate late and it finishes dry.

Mouthfeel is moderate with good carbonation.

Drinkability is wonderful. The flavors are strong but I love them and don't see my palate getting too tired of them.

This is the beer to pair with a big stinky cheese.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2008 17:48:18 | More by rtratzlaff

callmescraps

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Ok, time to review the brilliant Ommegang Hennepin. I first experienced this on tap, but am writing the review based on a 12 oz bottle.

Appearance - Golden with a soft white head, firm but not too pillowy. Head slowly dissipates, but a quarter inch remains.

Smell - Spicy, with a little fruitiness.

Taste - Wow. Refreshing, with more fruit, and a hint of apple. Almost a sour, but satisfying, finish. Pretty tart. Lots of depth to the flavor, and a tasty lingering on the tongue.

Mouthfeel - Incredibly crisp. Just a very refreshing beer. Not heavy or creamy, but sharp.

Drinkability - Absolutely off the charts. for such a potent beer, I could pack these away. When I order this at the bar I have to limit myself to only two, or I know I'll end up going too far.

This is one of my favorite beers, ever. An excellent example of the style, that on a blind test most drinkers would assume was imported from Belgium, not Cooperstown.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2008 22:08:52 | More by callmescraps

erosier

Connecticut

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

L: Pours a golden hazy yellow color with a tall and thick white colored head that fades somewhat slowly and leaves alot of nice lacing down the glass.
S: Smells of sweet lightly toasted malts, some wheat aromas as well, then some fruity yeast flavors and a hint of citris.
T: Follows the nose very well. Nice light toasted malts, some wheat, then some fruity yeast and a hint of citris at the end of it. The yeast flavors were not as overpowering as I thought they would be which was excellent.
M: Very light feeling and the alcohol was not present, smooth, refreshing.
D: Very drinkable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

11-12-2008 00:31:17 | More by erosier

MikeInIowa

Iowa

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is the Hennepin that I have heard so much about and it lived up to expectations. This beer is superior in all categories. A+!!!

Look: A warm and inviting golden yet opaque appearance with greater than average head and lace retention.

Nose: I thought I smelled an orange-and-hop combination. Quite pleasing aroma none the less.

Taste: The flavor seemed to effloresce in my mouth like a sunflower bursting into bloom. Again orange and hops is how I tasted it.

Mouth: Creamy delicious.

Drinkability: No brainer here: It is clearly one of the easiest beers I have ever drunk.

What a Joy!

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2009 18:28:56 | More by MikeInIowa

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Translucent pale, lemon yellow color. Large white foamy head that leaves slow, glacial lace and consistent retention. What I'd expect from a quality saison.

Earthy. Smells of clove, lemon, banana and gigner with Belgian sophistication (read yeast funk) and sugary wort. Smells farmish.

Aggressive taste: cracker malt with spicey versus tart balance and a dry tequila-esque umph in the middle. Mild orange juice fade. Crisp carbonation practically throws flavors on the pallette.

Has that hard to find balance between complexity and drinkability. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

06-18-2009 13:32:51 | More by donkeyrunner

KickbacksSteve

Florida

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured from 750 ml bottle into a Unibroue tulip. Sudsy, foamy white head with nice retention. Soapy lacing. Body is hazy, lemony yellow. Aroma is a wispy mix of pepper, lemon, hops, grass and funk. Taste is fruity, funky, lemon zesty and delicious. Maybe the best domestic interpretation of the style? Maybe. Just great.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2010 22:39:07 | More by KickbacksSteve

tgorgz

Pennsylvania

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow. Just wow.

Pours a nice hay color. I didn't have a pint glass (shocking, right?) with me so I had to use a snifter- perhaps that contributed to the larger-than-expected head. Lots of bubbles, and lots of lacing that stayed all the way through the beer.

Moving on to smell, we've got a whole mess (the good kind) going on in here. I'm notice (in no particular order) orange, apple and lemon.

The "wow" comes in with the taste. An explosion of flavour hits your palate, and each aforementioned fruit is augmented by a nice balance of carbonation.

The mouthfeel is very light, very crisp. It's one of those where you say "Ah" at the end.

For drinkability, simply see the above.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2011 23:49:52 | More by tgorgz

BDTyre

British Columbia (Canada)

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Yummy! Cloudy gold orange with a big white head. Sugary, fruit scent. Sweet malts, citrus-y hops. Light spiciness that eases off as the beer warms, but it never goes away. Light wine and raisins.

Mildly dry taste. Bitter, hoppy and quite refreshing when cold but as it warms. Spiciness constant through, apple, bananas, citrus, raisins, brown sugar, bread and barley. Underlying sweetness, but an initial dryness in the taste. Very complex, and the characteristic barnyard flavour is there but quite mild.

Carbonation is quite noticeable at first, but dies down fairly soon. A very nice saison, and one of the better ones I've had.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 04:12:23 | More by BDTyre

JEdmund

Kansas

4.83/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance
A striking golden yellow that’s hazy and wears an inviting white cap of foam

Smell
Zesty tartness, a bit wheaty, inviting

Taste & Body
Lots of subtlety and complexity make this a wonderful beer. It starts off soft, tasting of oats and lightly of wheat; underneath it all is a tart current that keeps it all in line; finish is more tartness mixed with some punchy, citrus hops. Wonderful!

Overall
I can’t believe I’m just now having this for the first time. I’ve been missing out! Great, great beer here. I’ll be trying all of Ommegang’s beer in short time.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2011 22:33:49 | More by JEdmund

pbrian

Connecticut

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This is my first saison, so I have nothing to compare it to, but this beer is awesome. It usually takes me a couple of beers to warm up to a style, but I liked this one off the bat. Are all saisons this complex?

Serving type: bottle

10-23-2001 15:47:49 | More by pbrian

AltBock

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

750ml bottle caged and corked.
When poured into a tulip glass, I got cloudy golden color with a massive head of foam. Got the same head of foam everytime when I poured a little more into my glass when it got a little low. The smell had lots of fruits and spices in it. It smelled like wine but better. The taste had a lot of spices, fruit and citrus in it and with a hoppy aftertaste. Very complex. This beer is cheap at below $5 for 750ml bottle and one hell of a good beer. This is another beer that I would buy again. Keep up the good work Ommegang!

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2005 04:04:47 | More by AltBock

MSchae1017

Georgia

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This beer was tasted in a oversized wine glass from the 750mL corked bottle.

This beer pours a very slightly hazy brilliant gold with a frothy white head. The head holds and laces very well. The smell is spicy from the characteristic saison yeast and lemony with touches of hops all around. The taste is very refreshing. The spicy yeast and slightly wheat characteristics are present along with some light fruitiness. Hops abound and interplay perfectly with the spice from the yeast. The mouthfeel is light-medium with lively carbonation. Overall, a fantastic beer. One of the best belgians out there..and made here in the US.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2006 00:54:53 | More by MSchae1017

scootny

New York

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A 12 oz bottle and a four pack of these for $9.99. What a deal! A pale, cloudy, straw gold with a tremendous head and superb retention. The head sits proudly and leaves good lacing as it recedes at a glacier pace. More as I drink. Some carbonation is visible through the fog.

Smell is classic Saison. Belgian yeast funk, herbal notes. Light phenolics. Muted banana and wheat like twang. Spicy pepper in the back of my nose. It gets bigger as it warms.

Taste is knock it outta' the park good. Maltiness that recalls fresh French bread combined with a wheat malt flavor. Spicy and peppery as well. A touch of lemon and an herbal component that deepens the melage. Sharp but mild hops bring in the finish and blend into nuttiness. Dry, short and clean. There is a light sweet roll taste that lingers with nutty biscuits. Faint banana, and peppery spices.

Crisp and quenching mouthfeel is accented by a lively carbonation and tingly light creaminess.

Drinkability is so good you think session until the reality of the abv sets in. Still, it goes down so easy and smooth and the taste so perfect you just don't care and dive in for all you can get.

A top tier Saison. One of my favorites and for the price you just can't beat it.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2009 06:20:48 | More by scootny

Natural510

Ohio

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pours a HUGE fluffy white head which ever-so-slowly dissipates while leaving a cloud floating above the drink. Nice crystal golden color.
Smells lagerish (to me): light malts, grain and essence of hops. Main difference being the high yeast note expected from any Belgian-style brew. Inviting.
Breaded flavor at the forefront from a biscuit malt, yeast and hop grain. Hops seep in to provide a surprising kick without overpowering the brew. Yeast gradually dominates the back end of the flavor creating a dry, puckering finish. Slight lemon note and an overall sweet & sour character. Very well balanced and inviting for more.
Crisp, easy-drinking with a dry finish in the mouth.

What else can I say but, wow. This is my first saison and I'm debating whether to try any others as it may ruin this first experience. Great job by Ommegang for creating such a complex yet simple tasting brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2009 01:25:48 | More by Natural510

STEG

New York

4.85/5  rDev +16%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured this dirt and mold covered bottle into a hennepin glass. This is a bit of a departure from it non cave aged brethren. Its quite a bit more subtle and all of the flavors kind of meld together in a nice sequence of mouthfeel and flavor at the same time. It has wonderful looking floaties that look great when held up to the light. Has a more understated mouthfeel than the non cave aged version and is much more pleasant to drink. I may go to the brewery tomorrow to get some adoration ale, maybe I'll pick a few more of these up while I'm there

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2009 01:30:50 | More by STEG