Ommegang (Abbey Ale) - Brewery Ommegang

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.13/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I am the Contrarian, and seemed to be the only one to try this at Mondial Montreal 2005. The bottle did not stand out against the Fantomes, or maybe everyone thought they had the lineup. Their loss. Opaque reddish and smooth, medium mouthfeel. I like the yeast profile of this brewery, and this one was smelled significantly spicy.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2005 04:49:06 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

3.55/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Murky, dark coppery brown with dark cherry highlights. The beige head is small and is gone about one minute after the pour. I doubt that I'll be seeing any lace. The aroma is bewitching: strong, dark and spicy. I can appreciate dark brown sugar, butterscotch, dark dried fruits and alcohol.

I can see why some people like the flavor, though it doesn't do much for me. I must say though, this is one 'Belgian' that I could probably grow to like if I drank it often enough. The flavor profile follows the nose pretty directly with sweet brown sugar, molasses, clove and raisin notes. It's also vinous in that it tastes a little like a poor quality Cabernet.

There's plenty of caramel malt on board without any real bittering or hop flavor to speak of. In other words, in line for the style. It also has that vigorously carbonated mouthfeel that many Belgian beers have; and which I don't especially care for. The body is on the thin side, not full or creamy in the least. Alcohol is noticeable on the palate and the beer seems to drink higher than the stated 8.5% ABV.

Ommegang (Abbey Ale) is a pretty fair representation of a Belgian Strong Dark Ale and is a quality brew if that's your thing. It isn't mine, at least not at this point in time, but I respect this beer all the same.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2004 22:19:39 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Wow, had this with dinner the other night, and I had actually not had it before. Poured a rich deep brown, with a big tan head and very nice retention and lace. Smell was full of dark fruits, prune, raisin, and figs, with lots of spices, nutmeg, and a hint of apple. Taste was very lively, full bodied, smooth, and very crisp. Alcohol is there, but hardly noticeable as there is soo much complex flavor overunning it. Overall this was fantastic, a great belgian ale and something I was very happy to try. I would defiantly wanna have this one again,

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2007 21:47:35 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.33/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: Seems to be burgundy in color, although maybe a bit more "brownish". A lot of foam initially, but it subsides quickly.

S: Smells sweet, a nice aroma of fruits with lots of figs and some dark cherries, a noticeable alcohol scent as well.

T: The fruit (especially the figs) come through, with notes of plums and cherries as well. A caramel type sweetness is present as well.

M: A nice amount of carbonation on the tongue, and good body.

D: A delicious Dubbel, and another fine beer from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

07-21-2009 23:03:12 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.58/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Reviewed from notes.

Pours a moderately dark brown with some reddish hues. Off white head and some good lacing. Nose brings forward raisins, molasses, caramel, brown sugar, and dark fruits. The taste doesn't quite meld everything together, with some sugars and dark fruits coming through in the end. Moderate, creamy mouthfeel with lowish carbonation. Drinks pretty well, but not my favorite from them.

Serving type: on-tap

10-19-2010 11:05:47 | More by Thorpe429

UCLABrewN84

California

4.1/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours a murky dark brown with a foamy 2 inch khaki head that settles to a small cap on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, dark fruit, and some spice aromas. Taste is slightly tart with toasted malt, caramel, toffee, and spice flavors with the dark fruits coming through more on the finish. There is a pretty high amount of spice bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good beer but I was not expecting the sour flavor and the high spice bitterness on the finish. However, this is still a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 04:36:45 | More by UCLABrewN84

brentk56

North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: A very attractive Belgian, with a mahogany color (garnet highlights) and a frothy tan head that splashes a lot of lacing around the chalice

Smell: Raisin spice cake, brown sugar, and rum-soaked dried dark fruit

Taste: Dark fruit, up front, with developing fig and golden raisin elements, followed by an increasingly sweet candi sugar aspect that adds a spice cake flavor by mid-palate; after the swallow, the flavor is more sweet than complex, with a hint of coconut on the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with moderate carbonation; a hint of warmth in the gullet

Drinkability: I think I was spoiled by the cave aged version, or perhaps this one should have spent more time in my cellar (I purchased and drank it on the same day), but it seems to lack a depth of complexity; still, quite a nice dubbel

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2009 01:54:04 | More by brentk56

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

4/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a burgundy lightly hazy color ale with a huge light brown head with perfect retention. Aroma is malty with traces of spices (pepper with a touch of cinnamon?). Taste is very enjoyable with a mix between some nice floral malt and some sweet dry fruit (raisin). Body is full and alcohol is well hidden. Very enjoyable and probably the best I had from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2005 13:59:13 | More by Phyl21ca

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.45/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This flagship Belgian Dubbel for Brewery Ommegang nails the style like very few can. Quite refreshing to see this kind of quality in Belgium brewing in the U.S. because it's disheartening what American brewers try to pass off as 'authentic' Belgian Ales.

The pour delivers a rich and creamy looking ale with a deep bronze coloring, maybe resembling rust with the second and more noticably hazy pour from the 750mil bottle. Capped with a dense ivory froath, the head proves withstanding throughout the session while multiple rings of lace adorn the glass, reminding me of how many drinks it took me to get there.

Again, 'rich' becomming the operative word, this time when describing aromas. Light toffee, chestnuts, a berry mix, light vinous wine notes, woody tanins, black pepper, bread crust, and toasted black currants all play in the spicy, fruity, and succulent scent. Though the depth and roundness doesn't rival Westmalle Dubbel, there's absolutely no flaw in this pristinely aromatic ale.

All those nutty, richer toffee, molasses, berry and peppery notes are well portrayed in taste as well; but along with complementary flavors of apples, plumbs, grapes, dates, figs, and a yeasty, earthy brine. Very well melded and integrated flavors result in a balance that favors the malt sweetness and fruity esters, but relying on peppery spice and understated hop bitterness to offset sweetness and develop the drinkability that these richer ales require. A touch of cinnamon and brown sugar rise as the beer warms, as well as that Merlot-like Belgian twang.

Delightfully creamy and succulently rich, this boldly textured ale retains it's tooth from its initial sip, past mid palate, and deeply into a warming and toasty-dry finish. Peppery spice, alcohol warmth, and dying carbonation allows for a pleasantly balance for a beer that carries such malty sweetness.

Although the yeast character from this beer could contribute a greater depth of character with the estery/spicy balance and with the rate of dryness, this beer seems slightly less characterful than, say- Chimay Premiere or Westmalle Dubbel. But this classy Dubbel Ales isn't only an American gem, it's in the class with regal Belgian Dubbels like those of Grimbergen.

Serving type: bottle

08-06-2005 03:12:50 | More by BEERchitect

oberon

North Carolina

4.22/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Real nice burgundy in color with a great head,with nice Belgian lace left there.Somewhat medicinal in aroma with a little bit of fruit showing up there.Taste was sweet the some chesnut in there as well incredible smooth,the alcohol showed up fast as well.Became stronger as it warmed,about as authentic as you can get,the know what they are doing up there in Cooperstown.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2003 17:29:21 | More by oberon

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hazy, reddish amber in color with a big fluffy head. The aroma is quite distinct: lightly candyish, dryish dark fruit, slightly burnt toffee, light spice with a bit of honey, and maybe, licorice. The carbonation level is high, but very fine, and gives a creamy mouthfeel. The flavor is bold, offering flavors similar to the aroma. It starts with sweetish flavors, honey and caramel, then moves into a darker licorice and spice as it crosses the tongue, finally drying out nicely in the finish. I find this beer (and all of their beers) age nicely, offering a tighter presentation of its flavors at around a year.

Serving type: bottle

08-10-2002 12:40:04 | More by NeroFiddled

TMoney2591

Illinois

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Served in a Chimay goblet.

Another second chance at another Ommegang favorite. It pours a hazy auburn topped by a half-finger of slightly off-white foam. The nose comprises rye bread, figs, raisins, red grapes, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and prunes. The taste follows very closely, with the addition of sourdough, pepper, banana, and a scraping of tangerine. The body is a hefty medium, with a moderate carbonation and a fizzily thick feel. Overall, a very nice dubbel, one that I'll be sure to keep revisiting in the future. It's a bit on the fizzy side, but it doesn't overdo this flaw and makes up fer it with a great taste and a hefty body.

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2010 05:11:28 | More by TMoney2591

metter98

New York

3.9/5  rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear brownish amber in color and poured with a thin yet dense off white head that faded away, leaving only a ring of bubbles around the edge of the glass.
S: There are sweet aromas of candi sugars in the nose.
T: Similar to the smell, the taste is very sweet with flavors of candi sugars.
M: It feels medium-bodied and relatively smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation. The sweetness is slightly cloying.
O: The beer isn’t that difficult to drink because the alcohol is well masked from the taste (provided you can get through the sweetness).

Serving type: on-tap

08-15-2011 23:19:44 | More by metter98

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

5/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

#222/1,716
I'm a great big fan of Ommegang, and now I have the Cave-Aged at hand ready for inspection..

.Appearance: same dark, muddy, burgundy brown, more reddish in direct light, and with a small, dunnish head.

Aroma: a touch more mellow than the fresher version, (which I've just consumed, by the way, for the purposes of this study, of course!) but a magnificent melange, even if it does need time to unfold. Rich, dark, fruity flavors present themselves, raisins, plum, fig, grapes, spices, chocolate. It's a deep, dank morass of fruity goodness. And now to taste...

Mouthfeel is unwordly...thick doesn't start to describe it! This beer takes over the mouth, the tongue, the apex of all senses is overcome. It commands, and must be paid tribute to! ...I'm still reeeling! I initiate another sip with trepidation...am I ready? Yes, I am...Hops are a large, fruity charge,then malt takes over, occupies, dominates, fully engorges everything in ways only pleasant! Again, I must pause, reflect, wait...now, to sip anew...thick, lush, full,...an intoxicatingly flavorful sensation! I'm in too much pleasure, to be sure! I've got 1/2 the bottle to go? Wished I'd saved it for another, more communal, convivial occasion, to make more people happy. Maybe some other time, if it's possible?

It's an incredible mix of all things dark and beery and fruity and alcoholy and...really, my question is thuswise: if I gave regular Ommegang 5 stars, can I give this one 6?

No? Why not? Oh, it's amazing! Not merely the strength and potency gives it it's formidable quality, but the everflowing flavor! Ranks among the finest brews ever brewed, alongside every trappists monk's secret concoction. Hail to thee, Ommegang!
Once again, you knocked my every sock off!

(So much thanks to purplehops for the oppurtunity to drink this ambrosia!)
The Cave did it's work well. This is one kick@$! beer!

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2003 02:31:38 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.22/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours "a dark burgandy" just as the label states. The head, thick and full, is a dark white/tan color. It's quite hazy, but no bother. The aroma is good. It smells of liquorice, corriander, and ginger. The flavor is rich and powerful. The 8.5% abv. is evident as it slips down your throat. It's a great beer. Again, it is good with gourmet dishes. "Great beer derserves great food" as they proclaim on the bottle. The star anise shines through on the taste buds. It's spicy, but calm with it's darkness. The mouthfeel is heavy, but what do you expect?; Dark beer, bottle conditioned, spices. It is plenty drinkable, but I would advise not to drink too much; You might just end up passed out early.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2003 09:47:58 | More by WesWes

drabmuh

Maryland

3.63/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Ommegang's flagship beer? Now that's damned embarrassing. Goddamn.

Beer is brown and mostly clear with a thick tan head of small bubbles, big head....lots of carbonation.

Aroma is sweet and yeasty.

Beer is light in body, heavily carbonated in the mouth. Beer is pretty dry, heavy in yeast character. There is a mild metallic flavor to this beer. It is good, gets better as it warms. I'd have it again if there were few options.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 02:47:40 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

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

The beer pours a slightly hazy brown color with a large off-white head. The aroma is heavy on the toffee and caramel with a little bit of dark fruit mixed in. The beer smells about like a I expect a dubbel to smell. The flavor is more of the same. I get some dark fruit (mainly cherries and plums) as well some Belgian yeast and some brown, candy sugar notes. There is a little bit of alcohol noticeable but the beer is still easy to drink. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. A very nice American-made dubbel.

Serving type: bottle

08-13-2011 03:22:33 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

4.3/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours out a cloudy, copper color with a large head. Great lacing, too. You can smell the hops and spices instantly. The hop and spice taste is apparent at first sip. It also has a slight bitter kick to it, as well. It has a smooth mouthfeel. It is very drinkable, but due to the high abv I would only have one. Great "American" Belgium brew.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2006 18:50:50 | More by zeff80

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.25/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 750ml bottle into an imperial pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep ruby red color with a medium off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma is of banana, apricot, berries and other dark fruits, caramel, Belgian yeast and spices.

T: The taste is very well-balanced, with flavors of dark fruits, apricot, banana, caramel, Belgian yeast and rich malts. It has just the right amount of sweetness and a mild but quite complimentary hop presence. There's very little hint of the 8.50% ABV. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Very smooth with a little crispness, medium body, medium carbonation, clean finish.

D: Pretty tasty, goes down quite easily, slightly filling, very good representation of style, nice kick, this is a beer worth drinking for a whole evening if you're in the Belgian mood, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to go past the one large bottle without getting too full. The bottle I drank was purchased in spring of 2007, so it's been at least 6 months not counting the time it was at the liquor store, but it's definitely a lot better than the time I had it fresh at tasting a while back.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2007 04:09:30 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

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

This brew poured out as a slightly muddy brown color with a tan colored head. The head sticks around but does really give us a whole lot of lacing. The aroma of the beer was yeasty and had some dark fruits in the mix. The taste of the beer seemed pretty close to a real Belgian Dubbel. This was one of my first Ommegangs I had ever tried and was surprised that they were based out of NY. The flavors are earthy and rich, some yeasty fruits in the aftertaste. The mouthfeel is medium and not overly carbonated.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2011 05:56:08 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.38/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Sampled in a Vondel flared goblet. Pours mahgony with a 4 fingers+ fluffy tan head. Pretty good lacing &head retention with crazy medula obblingonta (sp) & brain lace impressions on the bottom of the glass.

S: Hints of leather & choclate& alcohol

Taste: Choclate, oakyness & fruittyness up front. Dryness & raisins & a hint of molasess surface as it warms. Cherry follows with a little cinamon. Finishes dry, oaky & with a slight bready flavor, winey notes, bakers choclate& licorice. Very complex finish

MF: Medium bodied, carbonation lends its self to a slight pricklyness on the tip of the tounge & oilyness on the back of throat. Weird or complex? not sure

Drinks very easy, not a bad take on the style & a best buy at $5.50 for 750ml@

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2006 04:07:20 | More by russpowell

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.98/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2 year old bottle:
Pours with a light brown head atop a hazy amber colored beer. The head is quite thick. The aroma; at first I detect raisin and a bit of rum, then I get some subdued notes of sherry. The taste is a bit spicy with some light sherry notes to it. This beer has a fairly good amount of body to it as well. The finish is slightly on the hot side, spicy. This aged example tastes meaty, this would go well with a red meat dish.

Serving type: bottle

12-14-2003 19:59:13 | More by Gueuzedude

Halcyondays

California

3.78/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, from brewery Ommegang, in Cooperstown, NY,

A: Pours a dark mahogany red, almost maroon to brown in colour, the inital white head is good, and retentive, but later on the second pour the head is a little fizzy, so I had to drop it down a notch, but overall I liked it.

S: Very complex and aromatic, dark fruits, like figs and raisins, some dark sugar is there as well, with a bit of port wine and grapes.

T: Taste is of a medicinal, dark fruity brew. Very complex, though the flavour didn't really come through until the beer was at about 60 degrees, so serve this one a little warmer than usual. Definitely one of the most phenolic brews I have ever had.

M: The high carbonation from the bottle conditioning gets in the way in the beginning, but after a while, in the middle, it reveals a medium-bodied, thick brew.

D: Good for an ale of its strength, the only downside was that the carbonation, sort of knocked out the flavour in the beginning, so my recommendation would be let this one sit a while to let it open up.

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2007 19:05:51 | More by Halcyondays

biboergosum

Alberta (Canada)

4.1/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml caged and corked bottle, another offering from "Ommegang" to we here in Canada, but actually made by Duvel Moortgat in Belgium.

This beer pours a clear dark ruby amber hue, with a ton of thin foamy, puffy whipped cream tan head, which settles in for a long spell (retention can be overwrought - exhibit A), eventually receding to leave some spiffy tight webbed lace around a columnar island in the middle of the glass. It smells of dark sugar, bubble gum, earthy, zingy yeast, anise, some pale malt, and muddled sweet spices. The taste is sweet pastry-like bready malt, brown sugar, some faint black fruit, slightly sugary black licorice, mild floral yeast, a subtle booze warming, and soft earthy hops. The carbonation is fairly low, the body a solid medium weight, and unobstructed in its smoothness. It finishes sweet and spicy, the Belgian candy sugar and holiday European zesty flavours tip toeing through a mild, but tricky alcohol undercurrent.

I guess that's why the label proclaims "True Belgian Dubbel". An agreeable enough cross-Atlantic effort - the Belgian character, terroir, whatever, gives this some decent complexity, though not overly so. Drinkable, until the too-subtle spicing gives way to the burgeoning heat, but that takes a while, and this is a big-ass bottle...

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2011 23:55:28 | More by biboergosum

Gavage

New Jersey

4.47/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: slightly cloudy brown color with a two finger head. The head slowly fell to a thick surface foam that lasted through most of the drink.

Smell: malts, fruits, yeast, and a slight nuttiness.

Taste: caramels, brown sugar, hint of toasted nuts, ripe plums, yeast, and prunes all rounded with a nice spicy bitterness. Alcohol is well hidden.

Mouthfeel: brightly crisp at the start and finish, and the flavor lingers very briefly on the tongue after swallowing. Medium-heavy in body.

Drinkability: extremely enjoyable and flavorful beer that should be on everyone's regular rotation of Belgian-style ales. Easy to drink more than one bottle in an evening.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2006 12:55:56 | More by Gavage