Ommegang (Abbey Ale) - Brewery Ommegang

Mavigo

Michigan

4.55/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Adding a little bit to my earlier review, tasting from a tulip

A: A nice cloudy, reddish-brown with a nice glow, with 1/4 in head, good amount of caramel lacing

S: Could pick up the fruit, spices, sugars, very aromatic

T: Dark and spicy - Very good, very easy to drink, could taste the alcohol but not over bearing, could tastes the spices, hops, sugars, malts, very good

M: Carbonated, rich boldness, could pick up on the alcohol but not overbearing, a great sipping beer, has an aftertaste, a complex aftertaste, its not over bearing, its interesting, its excellent

O: This is a great beer, great great flavor, its smooth, its relaxing, its complex, its a very enjoyable beer, its awesome,

Serving type: bottle

09-23-2012 04:12:08 | More by Mavigo

JustininKansasCity

4.78/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This beer was fantastic! It was a substitution as I was really looking for a Trippel that evening and the liquor store didn't have any in-stock.

Picked up the big bottle for a reasonable $7? $8? something like that and was just blown away by the depth and richness of this brew. Creamy, carmely (I know that's not a word but it should be) with a hint of some kind of chocolate or coffee or something... just incredible.

I HIGHLY recommend this beer to anyone who enjoys a malty flavored brew.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 14:47:38 | More by JustininKansasCity

angrybabboon

Rhode Island

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

Consumed 9/19/12

Appearance: Hazy brown with some dark amber - pours with a big, rocky beige head, fades to a little cap, leaves some nice streaks of lacing

Smell: Dark and spicy - Ommegang's generally pleasant Belgian yeast strain, lightly spicy, some faint banana esters, and some clove - cooked, caramelized malts - some dark fruits like figs and raisins - some apple, some candi sugar, and some alcohol

Taste: A solid blend of dark fruits and malts - dark fruits like figs, raisins, prunes are quite prominent - spicy yeast, with some clove and light phenols - cooked, caramelized malts, with some caramel sweetness and an overall spice cake-like flavor - alcohol is pretty obvious

Mouthfeel: Nearly full bodied, creamy, nicely carbonated, with some alcohol heat

Overall: Exceeds expectations

I drank this a few years ago and was memorably not impressed. I guess I have gained an appreciation for Ommegang in general, for I now think this is pretty good. It's not as "Belgian" as some examples of this style, but sometimes this is a good thing. This is pretty clean and drinkable, although it is a bit boozy.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 05:26:11 | More by angrybabboon

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.73/5  rDev +13.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Great pour , nice head , lacing is there. The smell is wonderful. Taste is outstanding the malt and spices really come through and blend together perfect and the feel is great , a dry finish just tops this beer off. This is one of my new favorites , served from a bottle

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 21:39:50 | More by ubenumber2

MadScientist

New York

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

A: A slightly hazy dark copper with a reddish hue. The off-white head of creamy bubble quickly settles to a a ring and a thin cap of bubbles. The head should be fuller and longer lasting for the style and clarity is optional.

S: Light caramel and cocoa malt notes blend with a soft alcohol. Dark fruit aromas grow in strength as the beer warms, mostly raisins and prunes. There is a slight spicy spicy aroma and mild apple esters from the yeast also show as it warms.

T: Caramel, cocoa, raisins and prunes provided the dominate aromas with moderate clove-like spice. There is a moderate hops bitterness and no hops flavors. The balance is spicy and malty but drying out to an off-dry finish with lingering bitterness and spice.

M: Medium full bodied with high carbonation. There is substantial belly warming alcohol with out being hot.

O: A rich complex Dubbel with dark fruit, malt and spice running the show. Year ago this Ommegang beer introduced me to the world of flavorful beers with layers of flavor ultimately saving me from a life of wine snobbery.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 01:51:20 | More by MadScientist

BrownAleMale

Wisconsin

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

Bomber bottle poured into a Gulden Draak tulip glass

Appearance- A orangish yellow in color with some haziness. 1 finger white head that dissipates somewhat and leaves a very small amount of lacing.

Smell- Lots of fruit with some floral hops.

Taste- Apple and banana with a very small tar hop finish.

Mouthfeel- Light body but not watery, good carbonation and very drinkable.

Overall- Very well done for the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-14-2012 18:16:49 | More by BrownAleMale

match1112

Illinois

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

a: think liquid caramel with a generous two finger head that's made up of thousands of quick moving bubbles.

s: caramel, spice and dark fruits like figs, raisins and plums soaked in booze.

t: sweet and spicy. tons of caramel malts and spices like corriander and pepper maybe a little star of anise.

m: medium body, very well carbonated, you can feel the bubbles liven up the taste buds. some burn from the pepper on the back of my tongue. a dry finish that leaves you wanting another sip.

o: nice dubbel, glad i finally took the time to enjoy a bottle out of the glass instead of drinkin out of 12oz bottles.

Serving type: bottle

09-05-2012 01:22:40 | More by match1112

BigTuna

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

A great beer! Smell is malty, with hints of caramel, banana and nuts; a bit spicy too, typical of many Belgians. Tastes boozy yet smooth. I get dark fruits, but also orange, caramel, and spices. Carbonation mellows as the beer warms. Overall, a superb dubbel brewed in the Belgian tradition by an American brewer.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 19:34:04 | More by BigTuna

claspada

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Pours a mahogany color with dark red highlights and a frothy tan head that leaves lots of foamy spotty lacing on the chalice as it recedes,

Aromas begin with dark fruity cherries and raisins, some yeasty spice and doughy malt. As it warms I get some sweeter brown sugar and rum-soaked brown bread.

The tastes begin with the same dark fruity cherries, up front, with developing sweeter fig and golden raisin. As it warms you get an increasingly sweeter candy sugar sweeteness and some spice cake.

The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with moderate carbonation. Finish is semi-dry with lingering dark fruits and a hint of warmth in the gullet.

Overall this is a good Belgian dubbel but by no means my favorite. Fairly dark fruit forward with emerging alcohol and a strong yeasty spice. I bet all these flavors would mellow out with age but there are also higher quality examples worthy of cellar space. Good, not great, worth a try to emerging fans of the style for availability and fair price point.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 19:00:39 | More by claspada

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Looks nice. It's a bit heartier and spicier than I would have guessed. Carbonation seems a bit too much really. Fairly smooth overall, though I would have anticipated it being a bit more considering who made this and who they collaborated with. Interesting to see my perceptions of this beer now as compared to so many years ago.

Serving type: on-tap

08-27-2012 02:00:58 | More by RblWthACoz

PeterM

California

4.43/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours beautifully into a goblet with a 1.5 finger tan colored head without vigorous pouring. Head remains as a substantial coating until the end of the glass. Rich ruby amber body, clouded by fine bubbles that last and last.
Smells a bit pine-y, sharp, and clean. First taste is fruity sweet and champagne-like, then hits your throat and stomach like a fine whiskey, leaving a wonderful glow. Malt, woody oak flavors linger, with a honey sweet aftertaste. This is one fine beer - most highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-26-2012 01:02:27 | More by PeterM

lancecenter

Texas

4.65/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

A - beautiful dark brown with creamy head and a ton of lacing.

S - I could smell this all day long. Raisins, honey, and sweet malt. A small bit of esters.

T - Sweet fruits and cloves with an earthy undertone.

M - Surprisingly dry for the style

O - One of my all time favs. And for $8 at the local HEB? Sign me up!

Serving type: bottle

08-25-2012 06:45:07 | More by lancecenter

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

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

Pours a murky brown with ruby high lights. Doesn't really have much of a head it faded away rather quickly.
Aroma is big and sweet and slick. Lots of candied sugar and ripe fruits.
Taste is quite malty. It's rich and sweet with yeast and candied sugar and dark fruits like figs or something.
Taste good but I don't think I really like it. It's to thick and syrupy too sweet. It doesn't work for me.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 21:00:37 | More by micromaniac129

mjtiernan

New York

3.95/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml bottle poured into a Chimay goblet. Packaged on 1/12/12.

A: Reddish brown body sits below almost two fingers of off-white head that settles to a perfect thin cap. Looking at what was coming out of the bottle, it seems somewhat lighter in color than other dubbels I’ve had recently. Spotty lacing.

S: Intense winter fruit. Mostly raisin with some plum and cherry. A generous amount of caramel. Vanilla and pepper.

T: Follows the aroma closely. The primary flavor is raisin with the caramel vanilla and pepper playing prominent supporting roles. There’s also some pleasant woodiness towards the back end. I sorta feel like the yeast isn't contributing as many flavors as I'm accustomed to.

M: Light to medium body. Feels less creamy than others I’ve had of this style and I miss it. Finish is strongly alcoholic and astringent. Carbonation is fine.

O: The mouthfeel knocks this down for me a bit, plus it didn’t seem as cohesive as the Westmalle or Rochefort. However, the fact that I’m even comparing it to those is impressive enough.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 03:18:48 | More by mjtiernan

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Review from 2/2010 notes. Poured into a Gulden Draak tulip. Pours a nice dark orange color with a creamy tan head and nice lacing. Delicious aroma of caramel malts, dark fruit and Belgian spicing. Typical Belgian flavors, dark fruit, orange, spicy. High carbonation leaves a dry, slightly astringent flavor. Somewhat sour, dry fruit finish. A bit on the dry side for my taste in dubbles, but well made and pleasant to drink. Medium bodied.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 19:29:55 | More by LiquidAmber

billab914

Virginia

4.18/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle poured into my Allagash glass. It's got a really nice looking caramel color to it with a thick, frothy head filling the top two inches of the glass.

The aroma has a lot of crisp, slightly sweet fruits to it with some notes of apple along with a touch of grape. The earthy yeast spice is very noticeable, but complimenting. It comes together well.

The taste follows through with more of the crisp, fruit flavors. I get a little more of a caramel sweetness mixing in though. The yeast spice is pretty bold, especially in the finish. I get a hint of chocolate in the finish as well.

The mouthfeel is a little on the heavier side of the style with carbonation being high but delicate. Overall, it's a great version of the style. It comes together very well and is very flavorful. Great beer overall, a classic.

Serving type: bottle

08-03-2012 20:35:50 | More by billab914

acevenom

Louisiana

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

Poured into a chalice. Pours deep caramel brown with a biege head. The head dissipates slowly, leaving no lace. A cap of head retains forever and leaves some on the side of the glass during consumption. The beer has the typical Belgian dubbel smell. It has the smell of dark candi sugar, Belgian yeast, malt, and dark fruits. The beer tastes like an authentic Belgian dubbel. There are the bready malts, dark candi sugar, dark fruits (prune and raisin), and Belgian yeast flavors that really come through without tasting too heavy. This is superb. The alcohol is well hidden in the taste as well. The body is full with adequate carbonation. The beer is smooth and dry in the finish. This is an excellent beer and the best American made dubbel I've ever tried.

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2012 01:14:16 | More by acevenom

onix1agr

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

From a bottle at Monk's Cafe

A- Abbey Ale is a dark ass brown ale, mahagony even, dirty tap water, but an elegant look that's calming. A healthy burnt sugar white/slightly tan cap stays on top forever, leaving no lace.

S- For a dubbel, The sugar is pumped up to the max and there are more candi like scents. Dark fruits with plums and grapes. A nice malt backing and a bit of yeast. Nuts and some roast.

T- The sugars dont come up as much in smell, but there is some sweetness though. The roast and nuts are more up front competing with the dark dried fruit basket. A little bit of raisins and a whole lot of taste. A Belgian dubbel that does not tackle you with bready yeast.

M- Smooth and kinda thick, although this is above medium. Carb is light. The alcohol is not here but there is a warming effect near room temp.

D- I tried it and enjoyed it. Basically a brown ale from Belgian with more sweetness rather than hops, with a kick of alcohol.

Serving type: bottle

07-20-2012 03:28:13 | More by onix1agr

RonaldTheriot

Louisiana

4.98/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Ommegang Abbey Ale has an extremely thick, creamy, fluffy, beige head and a semi-opaque, bubbly, amber appearance, with lots of lacing left behind. There is a huge amount of sediment floating about the beer. Aroma is of fruit, citrus, spice, sugar, malt, and caramel. Taste is of spicy yeast, fruit, citrus, lemon, spice, bitterness, sugar, barley malt, bread, and alcohol. Mouthfeel is medium, and Ommegang Abbey Ale finishes sweet, boozy, and surprisingly easy drinking. Overall, this is a wonderful, outstanding beer. One of the best out there.

RJT

Serving type: bottle

07-15-2012 02:50:25 | More by RonaldTheriot

tewaris

Minnesota

3.15/5  rDev -24.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Dark amber with a light rusty colored creamy head. Medium retention. Somewhat fruity, somewhat yeasty and somewhat rotting fruit notes in the aroma. Taste is certainly darker than the color suggested. Tastes more like a hoppy brown ale to me than a Belgian dubbel although the texture is spot on (light, effervescent body etc.). Only similarity is the slightly yeasty-estery finish. Not a bad beer but different* from what I expected.

* That's just a nice way of saying that don't purchase it if you want a Belgian dubbel.

4, 3, 3, 4, 3

Serving type: bottle

07-09-2012 08:23:49 | More by tewaris

joemcgrath27

Alberta (Canada)

4.4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - impenetrable hazy purple brown, some suspended sediment, a tall tan head retained endlessly
S - candied dark fruits, molasses, pears, and light clove spice
T - syrupy cherry, plumb, and pear fruitiness, caramel, pepper and spice, and a light earthy metallic hop note, a great mix of rich and dry flavours
M - big carbonation and creamy smooth, mellows and dry with the alcohol tingle at the tail end
O - rich, balances, deceptively easy drinking, an outstanding example of the style and a must for any beer advocate

Serving type: bottle

07-05-2012 23:58:30 | More by joemcgrath27

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

tdm168

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - dark, caramel amber with a huge mountain of dense, thick, brown head that has great retention

S - caramel, toffee, baked apples

T - caramel, baked apples, faint spices, toffee, a hint of chocolate, faint alcohol

M - medium bodied, a bit crisp, slightly overcarbonated, faint alcohol warmth

This is a complex, delicious beer. It's rich and full of character with a fantastic, malty flavor profile. This is definitely worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-29-2012 21:04:35 | More by tdm168

Jparker37

Wisconsin

4.63/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber poured into a goblet. No bottled on date.

A - Good/tight/persistent tan head. Not the deepest red for a dubbel but still ruby. Leaves a great amount of lacing.

S - Nice yeast spice. Has a bright citrus smell. Alcohol is hidden very well. Even got a little banana esters after it warmed up

T - Starts with some darker malts, maybe a little bit of some dark candi sugar. The mild hop flavors are earthy. You can find some of those ripe red fruits in the middle before it dries up with a pleasant alcohol kiss.

M - Has a bit of carbonation that keeps the head persistent. Medium body.

O - Awesome appearence to this beer. Good wine characteristics. Nice/pleasent yeast spice. Great complexity to its flavor.

Serving type: bottle

06-28-2012 01:33:44 | More by Jparker37

mschind

California

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

750 ML bottle dated 2-12-13

A- this stuff throws off an amazing head. Had to let the bottle sit for a while before getting a good pour. Dense creamy mocha head. Dark clear amber with huge blooms of carbonation.

S- dried cherries and pipe tobacco come to mind with some clove.

T- sweet dried fruit, cherries and raisins plus candi sugar. Some alcohol in back with a slightly dry finish. There is a faint metallic twang in the after taste. Not sure what that is about.

M- body is on the light side for such a sweet brew. Fairly explosive carbonation that is offset by the syrupy character of the malt and sugar.

O- complex, rich and sweet. At one point I was thinking of Dr. Pepper... Not a bad thing.

Serving type: bottle

06-24-2012 05:48:49 | More by mschind