Hennepin (Farmhouse Saison) - Brewery Ommegang

Gavage

New Jersey

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

Poured a clear light gold color with a thick head that last through the drink. The nose sensed some floral, yeast, and citrus aromas.There was nice carbonation. A nice balance of malt and bitterness, with a crisp yeasty flavor lasting on the tongue. Very smooth and a soft aftertaste. Great beer and should be sought out by all.

Serving type: bottle

10-12-2003 21:41:15 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

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

Pours yellow with a thick foamy white head that is well-retained and leaves foamy lacing along the sides of the glass.

The smell is of citrusy lemon, bready yeast and a slight medicinal aroma in the background.

The taste of lemon mixed with honey. Sourbread and grainy malt come into play a little later. The taste is not overly assertive, but always present enough.

The feel is smooth and refreshing. It's easy to drink, the flavors linger and the body holds up well.

A solid choice for a saison. It's not my favorite of the style (it's just behind DuPont and Smuttynose Farmhouse), but it's certainly a goody I do recommend.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2006 22:27:12 | More by jwc215

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.05/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml caged and corked behemoth of a bomber. Strangely, the label indicates that this is a 'Product of Belgium' - brewed and bottled at Ommegang's parent company, Duvel Moortgat.

This beer pours a somewhat hazy pale golden yellow hue, with three fingers of thin puffy white head, which leaves some nice snowflake lace around the glass as it sinks away. It smells of musky flowers, citrus rind, yeast, and mild, soft ground pepper. The taste is moderately sweet pale malt, buoyed by some restrained candi sugar, weakened citrus, but an up-tick in general fleshy fruitiness, some new-found coriander, consistent yeast, and subtle, sneaky earthy spiciness - pepper meets ginger. There is no overt alcohol presence, however, a nice wave of underlying warmth pulls the covers up all nice and snug. The carbonation is present, but light and, well brut-esque, the body on the prim side of medium weight, and smooth, but with a swelling of edgy heat at the gates. It finishes off-dry, with a head-spinning complexity - nothing that has thus far presented itself seems to have buggered off. Oh well.

A well made, um, American saison? Heritage and corporate buyouts aside, this is just plain enjoyable, the delicate nature of the farmhouse ale nice and ramped up, balanced, and quite agreeable, as the masked strength plays to the waning summer ethos up here in the Great White North.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2011 23:57:00 | More by biboergosum

akorsak

Pennsylvania

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

A growler filled at Al's of Hampden on 23-Apr-10. Hennepin is on record as being my favorite. It was also in the running for my newborn daughter's middle name (although it wasn't the winner).

A: The saison is crystal clear, a pale golden straw color that radiates. If I didn't know any better, I'd call it a pale lager due to the hue. A full head, over 2 fingers, is lacing in thick clumps.

S: The nose is refreshingly sharp, hoppy with a fresh dose of Belgian yeast. Mild fruitiness and black pepper jump out, both subtle but unmistakable. Grapes (white, of course) and a teaspoon of funk round out the nose, alongside a brief earthy hop aroma.

T: Each sip is deliciously sweet, lightened up by fleshy fruits (think pears, peaches, apples). A dose of anise follows the fruit, a dry sharp contrast to the sugary fruit. Coriander adds a black pepper flavor, a bite against the sweetness. Throughout, the saison is light and refreshing. Clove and pear appear near the finish. Near the end of the growler, the carbonation tapers off, allowing the fruits to linger much longer than normally.

M: The mouthfeel is sweet, with a heavy dose of yeasty fruits. Hops linger around but never get in the way of the pale fruits.

D: The ale nails every aspect, sweet and dry, sharp but lush. It's been my favorite for years and this growler is no exception.

Serving type: growler

04-26-2010 00:03:24 | More by akorsak

tempest

Pennsylvania

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

At first glance, Hennepin looks innocent enough with its hazy, yellow color and fluffy white head. But it smells like no other beer you've had, featuring tangy orange and earthy hops. Upon tasting, there's an odd complexity of citrus and herbs. Peppered lemon flavor with a hint of vanilla gives way to a tart bite of green apples, grapes and finally a grapefruit-like bitterness. It's truly an adventure in beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2006 01:42:11 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.65/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Served from a corked 750 ml bottle it appears a golden hue with a vibrant white head leaving trickled lace a picture perfect Belgium style ale. Aroma has some of those farm house ale characteristics of spices and yeast notes very nice along with huge tones of malt sweetness, underlying honey notes and the phenols are also producing the fruit tones characteristic of any fine Belgium ale. So, far simply amazing I love it. Taste light trickled malt, this is the perfect combination of sweetness, light hops, and exotic spices and full rich tones with a nice finish of alcohol on the palate. The mouthfeel has the consistency of a light syrup highly carbonated just full enough to coat the palate and tickle the senses. Drinkability is just wow, I could treat this like a session beer until I tried to stand up. Really too drinkable and desireable to approach too often save it as a treat. Best thing about it is the reasonable price for such a great beer, classic!

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2003 11:00:26 | More by WVbeergeek

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

smcolw

Massachusetts

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

Pours light straw with a slight haze. Large big-bubbled head. While receding, leaves some spotty lace.

Typical farm house stinky; I mean that in a good way. Sour smell similar to old dough.

Spritzy and sour; lots of yeast bite. Quite light in the body. Tastes as if there is a lot of wheat in this beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2008 20:07:53 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

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

750ml
Caged/Corked

Pours a very nice golden yellow color, awesome carbonation, nice two-finger white creamy head, lots and lots of great sticky lacing follows. The nose is malty/yeasty, nice touch of spices, and some slight caramel. The taste is slightly sweet at first, some slight bitterness/tangy, yeasty/spicy. Medium body. Drinkable, a very tasty Saison, one of the best I've had.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2008 23:39:08 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

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

Pours a two finger white head that fades slowly leaving some lace. Pale, cloudy amber color. Strong carbonation and medium bodied. Spicey/citrus nose. Starts almost sweet reminds me of a wheat, tart finish. $5.35 for a 750ml bottle from Butter's Fine Food & Wine Concord, NH.

Serving type: bottle

08-04-2006 22:30:55 | More by jdhilt

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

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

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

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