Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison) - Brewery Ommegang

StoutBulldog

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bought a 4-pack of this at my local store and I really enjoyed it. It poured a cloudy wheat color with a small, sticky head. Sweet fruity smell -- makes me wish it was a warm weekend instead of a cold January. Tasted somewhat sweet but not too sweet. Also some wheat/grain taste with some spice...maybe clove. Great flavor that isn't any too stong on one flavor but still different flavors to each mouthful. Easy to drink and a pleasure to drink. Wish it was a six-pack as opposed to a four-pack...

Serving type: bottle

01-29-2008 23:28:24 | More by StoutBulldog

holycrapamoly

Virginia

4.72/5  rDev +12.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My local Whole Paycheck, excuse me Whole Foods just brought this in. I had never had it before, but ¨if Duvel made it, I´m thinking it will not disappoint.¨ Wow, it really didn´t!
It poured a beautifully dull golden color that became very clear as the head developed. And what a head! Right there with Duvel on that! Excellent, white, sticky head. I found myself re checking the bottle to be sure it was made in America.
The smell is spicier and more peppery than I had expected with some definite sweet fruitiness. Still new to reviewing, so I don´t have a better description than that.
I was having a NY Strip and some vegetables, and this tasted absolutely wonderful with that. It was citrus, honey, yeast and pepper tasting with the hops coming in at the end of the taste.
Hennepin feels very smooth in the mouth. A bit thicker in consistency than I was expecting, but not at all in a bad way. A nice difference from the Belgians I usually have. Still very crisp and very very drinkable.
About three dollars less per 750 mL bottle than the true Belgians with every bit as much quality. I will definitely have this again and recommend Hennepin to friends!

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2009 13:00:05 | More by holycrapamoly

mrmin123

District of Columbia

3.8/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured from bottle into Ikea beer mug. Poured amber gold with a hint of orange with a thick white head. A creamy, yet strong, citrus smell. A very flat front, with only a little bit of citrus taste coming through. Creamy mid-palate and finish, with an aroma and taste that reminds me of green apples. Leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2010 04:29:59 | More by mrmin123

elflake

North Carolina

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

My first Saison, and I will definitely be looking for others in this style.

"Crisp" and "Refreshing" are over-used, but I can think of no better terms for this. Citrus-strong up-front, nice carbonation, slight bananna, really just wonderful, and only $7.49 for a bomber.

I've been impressed with everything from Ommegang, but even moreso this. I honestly can't think of a better beer on a hot summer day...

Serving type: bottle

09-11-2010 05:39:41 | More by elflake

WJDobbs321

Massachusetts

4.68/5  rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Super Summer Beer!

Beer is very light in color with a super head. Is it what you want to see in front of a fire. Nope, but it is exactly what you want to see in a beer garden.

The Smell is light. Doesn't smack you in the nose. But if you get close enough the fragrance is worth it. Wonderful smell. Wish there was more of it.

The taste is perfect. Light lemony citrus with subtle sweetness. Nothing overbearing.

Light and crisp to the mouth. You could could potentially drink it after a workout. :) But why do that???

Overall I say what a wonderful beer! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 00:03:29 | More by WJDobbs321

jfclark

3.98/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pour from 12 oz bottle.

A: active head that holds. lots of carbonation. light straw color, and fairly clear. not much yeast sediment.

S: smell somewhat average and not strong. Hops barely noticeable

T: no dominating flavors, but very enjoyable and refreshing.

M: lots of activity, yet fairly light. crisp and easy to drink.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2012 00:03:04 | More by jfclark

JudoJeff

3.78/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

I found the taste to have hints of bitter spices. The label says it is brewed with ginger, but it wasn't forward enough for me to notice. However, I do pile ginger on pretty heavily in the food I eat so it may be that it is just a much less intense taste than I'm used to. The coriander and grains of paradise seemed to play a larger role the the flavor. In general I don't enjoy hoppy beer, but this was quite nice overall.

When poured from a 750 mL bottle into a tall glass (maybe the wrong choice) this developed a very tall, foamy head that took a while to settle.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 01:28:26 | More by JudoJeff

SACraig

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Appearance - Golden and fairly clear, nice lingering head with nice lace
Smell - Complex, esters, sweet, strong pleasant odors tells of things to come.
Taste - Balanced with sweet and spicy flavors.
Feel - Semi dry finish. Aftertaste lingers, but it is pleasant and just encourages the next taste.
Drink - Great

Very impresive beer as expected from the Duvel family of ales. This was the beer that started my love of Saisons. The flavor created by the high ABV is complex while avoiding the alcohol/solvent flavors.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2010 21:11:29 | More by SACraig

spacechimo155

Florida

4.08/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A-a pale blond with good body, Amazing white head that doesnt go away, fluffy. Leaves a heavy lace.
S- like a Belgian farmhouse( or brewery) on a dry sunny day.
T-citrus, not too sweet, very nicely balanced. alchohol is well hidden
M- not as thick as the body would lead you to beleive, which is refreshing. Right on to keep with its other refreshing qualities
D- At first I want to chug it, so refreshing, good balance, the ABV goes un noticed in the taste( for the most part. On a hot day i could slam these down.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2009 03:43:09 | More by spacechimo155

Estranged

New Jersey

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

my .02 on arguably, america's leading belgian style saison...

a: clear and bright amber/straw color, large meade and heavily carbonated, frothy bright and white head.

s: a blend of wonderful foreign spices, orange and ginger pop out strongest.

t: sweetness and citrus dominate the palate, foreign spcies flirt with the palate, and a bitter dry finish clenses the mouth on the way down.

mf: light, lively and effervescent, clean...lager like in feel

d: highly drinkable. refreshing, tasty with well-married spices, and addicting.
7.7% abv = The perfect number!

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2010 01:08:22 | More by Estranged

thasnazzle

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - pours a slightly cloudy straw color with a two finger head that dissipates into a small ring and leaves lacing down the glass.

S - Mostly banana and fruity esters, with a hint of spice in the background.

T - lots going on here. Spices up front - coriander and clove, maybe something else as well - which lead into a strong fruity banana/bubblegum flavor with a lemony presence, followed by a dry bready finish with a hint of hop bitterness. Alcohol is deceptively well-hidden - I didn't realize this was over 7% abv until I looked it up.

M - Had this from a growler that was filled at Brewery Ommegang about a week and a half ago, so I'm not sure how representative this should be of the beer's carbonation. Mouthfeel was good - carbonation drew out the spices without being too strong to destroy the tastes in the middle of the palate. Maybe slightly thin, but that was probably the result of the growler having been filled a week and a half ago.

D - I could drink this all night. It's light enough to not fill me up, but still packs a ton of flavor without leaving an unpleasant aftertaste.

Ommegang got me into craft beer, and this is another great offering from them. My first saison, it has me craving more from the style. Great beer.

Serving type: growler

08-09-2010 06:08:55 | More by thasnazzle

TheRealDBCooper

Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands

4.6/5  rDev +10%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 5

This is what a saison should be.

Likes:

Everything. From its beautiful golden color and fluffy white head to a taste that is ever so slightly sweet, floral, and spicy. A little prickly in the mouth feel, but it would not put me off from drinking it all night.

First time drinking this and I will definitely be buying more. Good place to start if you are trying saisons for the first time.

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2010 03:40:09 | More by TheRealDBCooper

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

neelyjr1

Illinois

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

I have had this beer on several occasions, both on tap and in the bottle. Truly a great beer!

A: Pours a hazy light yellow, with a huge white head.

S: You can smell a nice sour aroma, some citrus, some light maltyness

T: At first it is the sour taste, that comes through, and then some grapefruit and other citrus. You can taste light notes of alcohol as well, with a nice gentle warming in the back of the mouth.

M: Good carbonation, helps move the flavors through the mouth and tongue.

D: Good, a very nice beer to enjoy on a warm day.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2006 01:25:49 | More by neelyjr1

babywhooper

Pennsylvania

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

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into Duvel chalice...

A - Beer pours a very deep yelllow, almost opaque, with a hint of orange to it. The head is very nice as well. About two fingers, and very sticky. The beer looks great.

S - Very aromatic beer. I get a lot of citrus and a little banana, as the poster below me said. Get a sort of "sour" or tangy hint in the smell, but not in a bad way.

T - Very subtle fruit or citrus taste, contrasting the smell, but the taste gives a lot of spice. Also a sour taste to the beer, but I think that only enhances the back end of the taste.

M - Mouthfeel is very smooth. Very easy to go down as well.

D - While this beer is 7.7% abv, it does go down rather effortlessly. But, I think the spiciness can become overwhelming after a few. Even so, this is a beer that can definitely call for more than one round.

This is an excellent beer, and deserves all the high praise it receives. Looks great, and exceptionally tasty. A great Saison ale.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2010 03:48:26 | More by babywhooper

hseritt

Georgia

3.65/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Got this from the standard 12oz Hennepin bottle and poured it into a lager-style glass. It honestly did have one of the tightest foam heads I've seen in a while. Head was a very clean white-capped 2" foam. The foam dissipated very quickly and left a very nice lacing throughout the drink. The color of the beer was a light gold.

The smell was very faint. I even ordered a second one just for another opportunity to see if I missed something (I promise!) in the scent.

The alcohol content for Hennepin is relatively high for domestics (about 7% or so). However, the taste shined through the alcohol very easily. One could taste things like lemon and light hops but not fruity enough to make one stand up and take note (the fruitiness in beer is honestly not much my thing -- so nothing lost too much).

The feel was light but definitely not too light. I detected a fair amount of chewiness but not a heck of a lot. Again I am neutral on this.

I could very easily entertain a session of Hennepin but without the price I found at a local pub. I would drink it again gladly... unfortunately, for the moment there are other ales that have caught my attention over this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2007 18:04:56 | More by hseritt

drinkalot123

Florida

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

For such a strong beer it is very refresing. It runs about 8 to 9$ a four pack. I have only found this beer at Total Wine.

It has a light pale color that pours a rich foamy head

It has a light smell that is in know way over powering.

It tastes great and once again not too over powering.

The mouthfeel and drinkabillity are incredible. You have to be carefull because this beer will sneak up on you with a 7.7 %

great choice if you can afford it.

Serving type: bottle

07-27-2007 03:50:36 | More by drinkalot123

LauraG

Kentucky

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

First glass of the 750: Pours a wildly effervescent, sunshiny golden color, with a pure white, slightly lingering head. Smells of sunshine, faint (appealing) barnyard, herbs, bright fruit, resin. Taste is a burst of earthy and crisp. Mouthfeel is light, balanced. As it warms, the resinous aromas and flavors become honeyed and deeper. Better with each sip.

Second glass of the 750: Incredible vinous aroma floods out! Effervescence isn't diminished at all -- it is champagne-like, with fine, dancing bubbles. The slightly metallic taste from the first glass is gone. Richer, fuller flavor and aroma in every element. Some of the brightness mellows noticeably with this second glass.

For heaven's sake... there's nothing I could say in this review to talk anyone into drinking it that someone else hasn't said more eloquently.

It's really lovely.

Serving type: bottle

09-18-2008 00:01:50 | More by LauraG

sobchack

Texas

4.3/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle. Appearance is a hazy golden straw color with a thin, white head. Aroma is heavy on straw and light fruits. White grapes, maybe? Taste follows suit with mild fruitiness balanced by a bit of mustiness and spice. Complex flavors here. Light carbonation and mouthfeel. Goes down easy. Great tasting brew from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2008 02:11:53 | More by sobchack

ig88b

Missouri

4.63/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

On tap in a Hennepin tulip at the KC saucer.

A: pours a cloudy white straw color with ample head.
S: smells wonderful.. spicy corriander with a hint of alcohol.
T: a bit of hops up-front with some (unexpected) banana in the middle. Slight alcohol at the end and corriander throughout. I don't remember the banana from the bottle. Delicious.
M: lots of carbonation, but feels a bit.. full and flat on the tongue. Carbonation is apparent in the back of the mouth.
D: I can kick this back like it's water.. but it is so good I choose not to.

Random: I don't remember the banana from the bottle. Definitely more delicious as it warms.

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2009 02:16:27 | More by ig88b

Tulkas

Maryland

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

Enjoyed in an oversized pilsner.

Large aromatic head easily established with light pouring, aggressive pouring will give you more than you asked for.

Lost of flavor, delightful clove and cinnamon-esque undertones, finishes clean. Body matches the flavor very well. Yeast visible but hardly noticeable at any stage-neither disappointed or happy about this.

Would love to try this again on tap-will def enjoy again at 7.99/bottle, mirrors the quality of much more expensive Belgium styles at half the price.

Serving type: bottle

02-01-2010 03:32:10 | More by Tulkas

dumptruck81

Texas

4.78/5  rDev +14.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance- Very pale color mostly transparent color. Not much head retention. I'm inclined to think that a beer needs head retention to have the strong aroma that I like but this one defies that rule of thumb. Great aroma and taste from this one that almost looks like your typical garbage BMC.

Smell- At first it I got your typical banana, grass, and funk. As I got a bit further into it I noticed the it wasn'treally banana but some other fruits.

Taste- For the most part follows the nose. Opens up into a nice range of fruits. Lemon, apple, and pear. Nice hop crispness, hay, coriander spice, and funk. Really complex beer for a lighter style.

Mouthfeel- medium light bodied. Enough body to enjoy the range of flavor and just enough hop sharpness to keep it crisp.

Overall- Well done ommegang! This is a must try beer. This will be one of the beers where you have to ask yourself why you hadn't had it before. I wish I could give it a perfect score but I just can't bring myself to do it. The knock on appearance is due to previous standards on what usually makes a good beer. The sharp mouthfeel is most likely necessary to open up the depth in this beer but keeps it from being the beer you can drink all day.

Edit: I've had this beer again many times with a good amount of head. I think there was soapy residue in the glass when I did the review

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 04:46:47 | More by dumptruck81

95stategrad

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

As far as I'm concerned, this is the Gold Standard for Saison/Farmhouse in the USA as far as mass producers are concerned. Some micro out West might have a better one, but as far as a Big Time producers, this is it. Everything is right on. Smell, appearance, and of course taste. It has the classic Belgian esters you get with the Farmhouse yeast strains. Everyone is out to make an "Americanized" Farmhouse/Saison by going big with the gravity or the hops or more unfortunately, both. True Saisons are not overly hoppy and are modest alcohol % with just enough hops to keep them from going bad too quickly. This one is a bit on the high side alcohol-wise to really be a real traditional Saison, but it is otherwise on the money. Saisons were brewed to refresh the seasonal field workers in Wallonia, and the brews were generally 3-5% so the workers could have one and still finish the job. 7.7% is a bit too high to be a true traditional Saison. Still, if you don't like this beer, you don't like Saisons.

Serving type: bottle

10-22-2012 02:54:55 | More by 95stategrad

beerattorney

New Jersey

4.35/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a golden straw color with a healthy pure white head.
In typical saison style this beer smells very grassy and farmish. It is exceptionally well balanced and hides its substantial alcohol very well. The aroma is a grassy banana and the taste complements with rolling mellow flavors. In my opinion, the mouthfeel of the Hennepin makes the entire experience. The beer is perfectly carbonated and delivers the perfect balance of earthy flavors, yeast, and CO2 to make this a delightful treat that is at home in any season.

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2004 03:56:20 | More by beerattorney

heavyblanket

Oklahoma

5/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My new favorite style and my new favorite Brewery.
This is a beautiful beer. Golden with great bubbles like a great Champagne. Smelled of fruit and earth. Perfect feel in the mouth with a lingering finish. Paired well with an aged white cheese. Wonderful.

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2008 23:17:37 | More by heavyblanket