Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison) - Brewery Ommegang

KeefD

Minnesota

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

Poured into a Hennepin tulip glass at whistle Binkies North. Golden straw color, very light, but completely hazed throughout. Off-white foam that left some nice lacing. Smell is a little sour and funky with some sweet malty character to back it up. Taste is much the same. Funky farmhouse flavor, spicy, slightly sour, notes of grass, pale malt, and the slightest licorice flavor on the end. Good, slick mouthfeel with adequate carbonation. I've had this one out of a 12oz bottle before but this my first on tap. Very nice brew and prefer it from the tap personally.

Serving type: on-tap

06-29-2008 21:18:47 | More by KeefD

RomanW70

Rhode Island

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

On tap at Track 84 in Warwick, RI. One of my favorite American Saisons. Pours yellowish gold with a large fluffy white head. Nose of citrus, spice, and funk. Funk very prominent in both the taste and the aroma. Finish is citrus and spice. Clean. Very nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2008 02:36:34 | More by RomanW70

nrbw23

Ohio

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

A- A hazy golden color with a nice fluffy white head that left hardly any lacing.

S- Tons of fruit and citrus in this one mainly lemons. Some wheat, grassy and a bit of spice.

T- Sweet fruit lemons and banana come to mind and then some malt and spice come in. Very balanced and maybe a little dry.

M- Medium in body with good carbonation.

D- Very easy to drink and very enjoyable.

Serving type: on-tap

05-30-2008 22:10:17 | More by nrbw23

MrMcGibblets

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I've had this both on-tap and via champagne-style bottle, and have been duly impressed each time. brilliant straw/golden in color with nice clarity. beautiful huge white creamy head that is quite persistent. continues to bubble up in the tulip glass like a fine champagne. nose is herbal, musty, floral, fruity, and sweet. very complex bouqet overall, and it should be noted that i normally do not favor the barnyardy/musty notes but it works quite well for me in this one. honeyed lightly sweet bready malts are mysteriously cleaned out by an extremely smooth hop bitterness, vague spiciness, and prickly carbonation. wonderful balance. medium-bodied with good mouthfeel from this expertly done secondary fermentation. a real treat and a fine example of a saison, if i may venture to say so.

Serving type: on-tap

05-26-2008 05:47:36 | More by MrMcGibblets

stumac

Texas

4.47/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

pours a gold color with a huge, frothy white head. the nose is lemons, bananas, cloves, some sort of dry, chalky aroma. definately a pleasing aroma. tastes of spicy hops, cloves, citrus, lemons. medium bodied, medium to heavy natural carbo. good stuff

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2008 04:42:29 | More by stumac

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

m1ked

California

4.22/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Had this at Liar's Club on tap. Man I am addicted to that shooting game.

A- Slight cloudy and bright light yellow with a snow white 3 inch head.

S- Low banana phenol. Doughy.

T- Light vanilla banana creaminess with white pepper spiciness.

M- Light and fresh, especially on this hot day way out in Alpine.

D- I realy enjoy this style, especially on this hot day. I feel like this is a strong representation of this style, and Ommegang's skills.

Serving type: on-tap

05-11-2008 23:10:37 | More by m1ked

Overlord

California

3.88/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy yellow/orange. Smells of wheat/grass and yeast. Pours with an inch or so of white head.

Taste is very yeasty. Almost overwhelmingly so. Rich bread tones, some lighter fruits (citrus and melon), and that wheat/grass bite so typical of farmehouse ales.

A good beer, even though I'm not a fan of the style. Mouthfeel was decently chewy.

Serving type: on-tap

05-04-2008 07:37:58 | More by Overlord

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

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

mithrascruor

California

3.6/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

On tap in a Hennepin glass at San Diego Brewing Co.

Pours a clear golden wheat color. Semi-spicy aroma. Unfortunately, on-tap this misses a lot of the yeast and other sediment that one gets from a bottle pour. Taste includes spices and citrus, but the yeast flavor isn't present. Still totally drinkable and nice, but it's much more enjoyable poured from the bottle.

Serving type: on-tap

03-10-2008 07:41:42 | More by mithrascruor

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

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

A: Clear straw/golden color with a healthy white head which leaves behind some nice lacing

S: Florals and spice comes through first with some yeastyness

T: Great yeasty and spicy black pepper... hints of bananas and apples... delicious

M: Medium bodied with a pinch of carbonated feel

D: Satisfying... easily could drink another

Serving type: on-tap

03-06-2008 19:45:45 | More by callmemickey

TheBierBand

Ohio

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

Had on-tap at Dewey's Pizza. I was surprised to find this on-tap....a TREAT! It arrived at my table in a pint glass with a scant 1/4" white head. This diminished to a thin cap. The beer is a straw color that is quite cloudy.

The nose is more like a heffeweisen. Had notes of spice (corriander) and a yeasty nose... like many belgians that I've tried.

Taste: Not Bad.... a fruity taste followed with a tiny bit of alcohol warming. A strong heffe (kinda). Tiny hops bite at the end.

MF: Not as smooth as my favorite heffeweizens.... but this is my FIRST Saison... so maybe this is normal. medium to low carbonation and a clean mouthfeel.

Drinkability: You'd NEVER guess 7.7% abv!... very well hidden. I could enjoy a few of these in a sitting.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2008 13:35:21 | More by TheBierBand

mwilbur

Minnesota

4.95/5  rDev +18.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap into a Hennepin cervoise.
A: Pours a yellow haze with moderate carbonation and a wonderful light, white, frothy head.
S: Sour citrus notes, lemon, hint of grass.
T: Light, but wonderfully complex. Notes of wheat, spice (ginger and coriander), and citrus hops.
M: Light and smooth with hint of dry bite.
D: Eminently drinkable. Very versatile beer. Perfect in the summer heat, with spicy food, thick burgers, or to complement simple fare of bread and cheese. Also great on its own. Ommegang has a stable of fine beers, but Hennepin out-shines the rest.

Serving type: on-tap

02-14-2008 02:30:23 | More by mwilbur

marcpal

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap today and poured into a pint glass. Alongside garlic toast and artichoke dip at restaurant- great pairing had to mention.

A: Poured strongly and had a hazy gold with constant tiny bubbles. Enormous white head that would have been better suited for a belgian glass.

A: Flowers, hops and coriander. Peppery and spicy smells. The fruitiness earthiness and spices were well balanced.

T: Taste changed through the beer but the coriander spice was the strongest and the candied sweet ginger was teriffic. This was the first semblance of yeast but inviting. The hops round this one out nicely.

M: This beer had some life to it and for a wheat beer, held on most of the beer. Drying coating.

D: I was surprised that this had something of an ABV, completely unnoticeable. No reason this cant be a sessionable saison. If you can try it, try it.

Not a huge saison fan, but this way did blow me away. Had before from bottle, this was first on tap and did it justice.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2008 20:44:38 | More by marcpal

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a slightly fogged straw color. Nice white head. Nose is yeast funk with strong citrus and dough tones. Flavor is funky dough with an obvious yeast influence. Feel is a bit thicker on the liquid, it's the dough character peeking through again. Drinkable, yes. Not as good as I remember it being on the bottle though. Possibly a prime example of how bottle conditioning can really make a difference in certain beers.

Serving type: on-tap

12-31-2007 09:24:39 | More by RblWthACoz

jeffmonarch

Maryland

3.7/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap in a pint glass at 69 taps in Akron OH.

A - Golden amber color with not much head. The bartender poured the beers to the rim not leaving much room for head. This is ashame although they were cute.

S - Faint sweet smell.

T - Sweet with a fruity citrus taste.

M - Full bodied with good carbonation and a great finish.

D - Great, I could drink this all day.

Serving type: on-tap

12-14-2007 05:58:00 | More by jeffmonarch

Floydster

California

3.83/5  rDev -8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pint at Beachwood BBQ in Seal Beach for six dollars

Color was a golden pale straw with a massive white soapy head, easily over an inch and left generous amounts of lacing

Smell was citrus, sweet honey, grassy accents, and some bread-like malty aromas

Taste was pretty good and there were several different things going on, there is honey, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, pears, earthy hops, coriander, several spices, and other sources of sweetness, nice balance of malts of hops, a slightly bitter finish differentiate this saison from other ones I have had in the past that are too sweet a lot of the time

Too carbonated at times in my opinion and the body lacked fullness

Could drink another pint or two these of this with ease, taste might get overwhelming after a while and it is pretty strong at close to eight percent alcohol

First review of an Ommegang beer for me and it was an above average brew, will add an Ommegeddon review some time soon when I taste that beer again after it has been aging for a while

Serving type: on-tap

11-19-2007 17:08:46 | More by Floydster

beergynt

Illinois

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

On tap at the Bavarian Lodge in Lisle... Served in a goblet, this beer was pretty to look at. A bright, cloudy golden hue, with some orange color. A little darker orange and it would actually look a lot like orange juice, Bright, white, fluffy head that lingered throughout leaving scalloped lacing all the way down... Smelled banana and clove, spicy phenols, maybe a hint of mint... Taste mirrors the smell on this one; banana, clove, slight phenolic/alcoholic heat... Mouthfeel was very nice; Clean not cloying, effervescent, sparkling... Overall a good representation of the style and a nice, drinkable brew.

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2007 16:30:35 | More by beergynt

Kiwano

New York

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

A: Golden with a little orange tint - white head a little thin - probably becuase it was on tap and a little colder than room temp.

S: Citrus and fruit but not overpowering with a little bit of floral and yeast coming through

T: Excellent taste - a little bit of citrus but not too much fruit - excellent balance between not being to sweet or too bitter- very well balanced with alcohol

M: A great balance between being light but with body. Nice amount of carbonation - not too bubbly but not flat at all -The taste keeps going in your mouth after each sip.

D: Perfect beer for a relaxing day or evening. Goes down smoothly and able to savor for a while - wouldn't drink too quickly.

From a tap served in a large snifter type glass

[ serving type: draft into glass]
--

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2007 01:14:57 | More by Kiwano

NJpadreFan

New Jersey

3.05/5  rDev -27%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Hennepin

Appearance- Light copper brown with a super thick head. Heavy lacing throughout.
Smell- Alcohol, vanilla, clove, and spice.
Taste- slighty tart up front with a spicey clove, vanilla, and orange rind flavor.
Mouthfeel- Boozey throughout. A little tart and crisp with the bulk of the flavor in the end.

Overall- Not as musty or funky as I was expecting. Light flavor with a big alcohol presence. The strong highly noticable alcohol knocks this 1 down a notch.

Serving type: on-tap

07-27-2007 00:57:23 | More by NJpadreFan

BBM

New York

4.75/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer poured a golden honey color into a Hennepin goblet. A thin fizzy head lay atop this beer. To be honest the appearance belies how wonderful this beer really is. Aroma was very subtle, but had it's fair share of Belgian spices, sweet malt, and bread-like quality.

The taste is a magnificent blend of Belgian ingredients and American micro brewing. There is so much depth, so much flavor bursting with each sip, you'll wonder aloud if this beer was brewed in a monastery or not. The Belgian spices, banana-like flavor, dark fruits, and beautiful hop balance all come together without a hitch. There is a very subtle alcohol flavor in the finish, and as the beer warms it becomes that much more enjoyable.

Mouthfeel is perfectly smooth, with just the right amount of carbonation. I would drink this one all night if I could, but it does get a touch filling. Overall this is a beer that can be measured up to any of the abbey ales I've tried. And it's from upstate NY. Go figure.

Serving type: on-tap

06-19-2007 14:23:29 | More by BBM

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

BeerImmediately

Pennsylvania

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

I was psyched to find a sixtel of this great farmhouse saison at the Beer Yard in Wayne, PA - and for roughly the same price as 12 750ml!

Admittedly, I was not originally a fan of this style, but Ommegang has helped changed that perception.

A: Slightly opaque golden color, with fluffy 1+" head, and solid lacing throughout.

S: Terrific smell of citris, especially lemon.

T: Very complex flavor, with lemon zest and spices lingering on the back of the tongue. Memorable taste.

M: Pleasing, light, but gripping mouthfeel. Great carbonation for this style.

D: I could definitely have a few of these in the course of an evening - rather light and refreshing, but full of flavor as well.

If you'd like a terrific, engaging beer for the summer - one with a little more complexity than a hefeweizen - give this one a try.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2007 20:12:54 | More by BeerImmediately

mwearl

North Carolina

2.95/5  rDev -29.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Poured on tap, this beer was pale with very white creamy head with lacing that lasted through the entire glass. Very sweet smell with champagne-like odors. Taste was watery and sweet with white grape tastes and an odd perfume taste at the finish. Mouthfeel was light and dry and little aftertaste. I will say that it is very well balanced with the higher ABV. Drinkability was ok for a hot day beer, but not at the top of my list.

Serving type: on-tap

05-28-2007 21:35:05 | More by mwearl