Ommegang Witte - Brewery Ommegang

beerinator

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Yellowish Gold. Hazy banana colored. Very good retention on a super white head.

Aroma: Nice aroma. Clove and spice first, banana second with hints of citrus fruit. Nicely sweet. Not quite sickly sweet, but the sweetness is predominant.

Taste: A bit sour upfront. Finish is smooth, the sourness lingers slightly in the finish. Banana and spicing balances the sweetness. Citrus bitterness is present as well. Mouthfeel is not quite as full as other wits that I've had. The finish is slightly dryer than others in the category too. The dryness is actually very pleasant.

Notes: Nice wit from a solid brewery. Good example of how beers in this style can differ slightly.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2004 11:24:37 | More by beerinator

Jason

Massachusetts

3.43/5  rDev -9.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

$4.95 @ Charles Street Liquors, Boston, MA:

http://beeradvocate.com/beerfly/user_reviews/1008/

Presentation: 750 ml brown magnum with no freshness date.

Appearance: Sandy yellow and completely hazed over, head retention is lacking with on a wispy lace that barely clings to the glass.

Smell: Chalky, earthy yeast with a slim rouse of spiciness; dusty coriander and orange peel. Mildly phenolic and tart in the nose.

Taste & Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Crisp with a thick slickness that does not want to leave the palate. Light tartness throughout, strong wheat malt flavor. Earthy yeast is unshakable with faint orange peel and coriander in tow. Spiciness is one sided and goes no further … very little depth.

Drinkablity & Notes: My palate got lost in the tartness, it seemed the flavors did not meld well and everything was separate. A good brew though there are many witbiers that fit the shoe better than this one.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2004 23:59:13 | More by Jason

Foxman

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

It pours a bright, hazy straw yellow, like sugary lemonade. A quick two fingers of head drop soon to wispy drifts of froth. Spotty lacing dots the inside of the glass.

The aroma brings a wheaty grain sweetness along with a zing of citrus zest. A note of banana pairwith a coriander/clove combo before they all do a rapid fade.

Upon sipping, a crisp wheat sweetness opens the palate to a lemony tang and further muted citrus-oil bitterness. A layer of coriander and lesser clove flattens the middle until a banana/melon duet sweetens the pot slightly. A mild yeast sourness slides along at the finish. It's not overly involved, but it's tasty and way refreshing.

Light bodied, it zings the palate with tanginess and spice, popping about and enlivening the inside of the mouth.

The flavor is good, the the refreshing character is the real strength here. Basic and crisp, it goes in a straight line and does a fine job of wiping out any signs of thirst. It's smooth on the way down, and calling it drinkable would be an understatement. Okay, it may not be best in show, but it's good enough and crisply fun enough to warrant some do-overs.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2004 15:40:06 | More by Foxman

FranklinPCombs

Massachusetts

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is a very light murky yellow, rivaling the color of many macro-swill out there, but at least i know there will be flavor behind this to back up that color. Head is decent, white and soapy, leaving little to no lace. Smell has lots of wheat and banana, with some fig hints and no hops to be had. The taste is very very light, and rivaling on tart, but is a bit hard to pick out. There are some grassy wheats definatley and some malt, with some more of the starchy fruitiness. The mouthfeel is very thin yet very carbonated, with larger bubbles, much like soda water. This is my first witte beer, and I think it was a good one to start on.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2004 23:24:10 | More by FranklinPCombs

xgrigorix

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Twelve ounce brown bottle - no dates.

Dull hazy pale yellow hue. Topped by a bountiful white merrangue.

Wow - brilliant mix of lemon, orange, & coriander.

Raw grain, tart lemony flavours. Tons of spicy coriander, & subtle hints of orange. A bit heavy handed with the coriander. Light-medium bodied, smooth, moderate carbonation. Thirst quenching & refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2004 17:17:32 | More by xgrigorix

TheJudge

New York

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The big bottle at the Lazy Boy in White Plains. Not even on the menu yet, but the wonderful bar staff knows what I'm looking for. This poured a cloudy golden color, with a nice white head, thick in the middle, a harboring fluff that lasted the entire glass. It smelled, well, like a belgian witte. That's a good thing, when a beer smells the way it is supposed to. Now the real test.

A very nice flavor. Some spices, but they don't overpower you. The wheat really comes through, with a nice, refreshing taste. Good and dry in the mouth, with a nice finish of little bubbles on the tongue.

I'm not usually one to sit and drink witte all day. But the dry finish and light touch make this an extremely drinkable beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-01-2004 16:40:20 | More by TheJudge

wsouloa

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

I was pretty excited when I saw this brew in the liquor store I usually go to. It pours out a hazy yellow color. The smell and taste as you would expect are citrusy. Seems like more people were struck by the lemon taste but I found an orange taste more prevailing. What was really great about this beer was the mouthfeel. This wit is very well carbonated and feels good on the tongue. It was a bit dry, however, and I think could be more refreshing. All in all, a good product put forth by Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2004 17:14:21 | More by wsouloa

necoadam

Connecticut

4.35/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up at Liquor Depot to my surprise. 750mL bottle for 4.25. Not bad. Poured out a solid light orange color. I was expecting it to be a little more dull, but that's fine by me. Smell was refreshing as well. Citrus aromas blended in with some spice and yeast. Taste is a little on the light side, but yet flavorful which is great for the summer months. Orange and lemon hit the palate with some wheat and grain flavors which blend in so nicely. Carbonation is really good in this brew. A nice amount in there. I must say, one the of top 3 wits out there. A very nice brew.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2004 02:51:06 | More by necoadam

edchicma

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A good brew that is above average in all aspects. Pours a nice lemon color with smallish lacing head. Smell is definite lemon citrus and wheat undertones. Taste was light wheat with a lemon flavor. Mouthfeel was dry throughout, but not overly so, Very easy on the drinkability scale...light bodied with a refreshing dry crispness throughout.

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2004 00:12:57 | More by edchicma

konabrewer

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Cindy from Duvel/Ommegang gave me a bunch a samples of her beers. What a great girl...

Straw cloudy color and appearance. very good for stlye.

lemony zest with pronounced notes of coriander and bitter orange peel.

I really enjoy this style when the sun if shining and it was yesterday.

the mouthfeel was a bit fizzy with a moderate to medium body
nice aftertaste of cracked seed and citrus

so drinkable
defintely a go to wit-style beer

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2004 18:33:15 | More by konabrewer

cokes

Wisconsin

4.1/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Misty and pale goldenrod under pillars of white froth.
Nose features wheat hulls and lemon, and coriander and especially orange.
Begins dryish and wheaty. Uplifted by sugared orange rinds, and ample coriander. Returns to dryness after each sip. It more of a comfortable ebb and flow, rather that parching or disorienting. Lemon tartness takes up residence later. Not sheering tartness, but subtlely hued. Dry again at the close.
Light bodied, steadily carbonated, and consumable in big doses. Warm day? Humid too? Look no further.
Not an overly bold or different rendition. Simply a nice, well-stuctured and traditional one.

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2004 22:17:15 | More by cokes

francisweizen

Australia

4.33/5  rDev +14.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A cloudy, light yellow colour with a nice off-white head of foam that stays around for the long haul, leaving some nice lace patterns on the glass. The aromas are complex and lovely. I smell coriander, citrus peel, belgian yeast, wheat, some slightly bitter citrus-like hops, and some nice bready malts. The taste is light and flavorful at the same time, as the spicing of this brew is very good. The spices hit up front with the wheaty opening of this brew, the middle is a bit hoppy and citrus-like, and the finish is lightly bready, crisp, and clean. The mouthfeel is light and refreshing, and the drinkability is good as well. This is a damn good American witte, perhaps even better than Hoegaarden.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2004 21:07:13 | More by francisweizen

ppoitras

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on cask at The Moan & Dove, Amherst, MA. Presented in an Ommegang Witte glass.

Nice white 1/2" head on top of this straw hued brew. Nice grainy aroma to go with good lacing. Taste is as well a bit grainy, which is backed up by the mouthfeel. Seems to be somewhat thin in the craw, but overall certainly drinkable, a thirst-quencher for the yard, etc. Rivals Hoegaarden, for what it's worth...

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2004 02:35:13 | More by ppoitras

nomad

Kansas

4.08/5  rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This witbier is a warm glowing orange-shaded yellow, pouring a big, fluffy head with a rollicking surface that leaves clumps of stain all down my glasses. Altogether consistently smart lookin' from session to session.

Smells of soft, grainy wheat, vanilla, coriander bits, and bare notes of banana. Part way through I often catch flicks of grassy and floral scented hops.

Light lemon tones wash over a fluffy, dry wheat base with a tender drying of hops in the finish. Builds up a nice tangy citric bite over a sturdy full-bodied mouthfeel. Not terribly fruity or pressing with its flavors but instead a terribly good session beer aided by its gentle carbonation and rock solid soul of wheat and delicate details.

A very slight but elegant witbier that is pushing hard on Hennepin to be my favorite beer from Ommegang, as after a few it has been growing and growing on me. Drink at least a couple before you form an opinion - in the least your tongue will be happy, but with time your brain will come around to it. That's my experience...

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2004 21:42:36 | More by nomad

Charthepirate

New York

4.05/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

After picking up a bottle at the brewery I was excited to try this beer, despite not being a huge fan of whits. It poured an extremely cloudy white, with a big billowing head. I couln't see my hand on the other side! very nice.

Strong yeasty smells mixed with wheat and a hint of lemon on the nose.

Sweet initially, trailing into the hallmarks of wheat flavor. Some banana and clove, balanced out by the sharp cut of lemon and orange peel. Hops are more noticable than other wittes, and seem strangely spicy. Saaz I'd guess. Goes down slightly warm and spicy.

Mouth is a little weak and watery for my tastes.

An extremely drinkable, refreshing witte for these hot humid summer days. Great job Ommegang!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2004 05:19:50 | More by Charthepirate

WesWes

New York

3.8/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours a cloudy pale gold color with a thick frothy white head that fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a very pleasant wheat scent which is enhanced by the presence of fruity Belgian wit yeast. It comes across dry, yet refreshing. The taste is decent, but not great. It comes off as being dry and a bit weak and watery. There is the clove flavor, but the fruitiness is quickly lost as you swallow. The wheat flavor fine. It seems a bit bland and stale. The mouthfeel is good. It is a medium bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is an average wit beer. This is not at the same level as the other Ommegang offerings.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2004 20:32:28 | More by WesWes

jvajda

Ohio

4.83/5  rDev +27.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: Good beige color and a small smooth head.
Smell: Lots of citrus and coriander smells.
Taste: Wow. This white is perfectly balanced! A beautiful mix of coriander, orange peel, wheat, and spices hits the mouth. Very refreshing.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and easy.
Drinkability: This is the best American white I think I've ever had. I'd drink it everyday if I could find it in bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2004 02:40:27 | More by jvajda

maybrick

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this very nice summer brew at the release party at Monks in Philadelphia on 4-May-2004. Carbonation was a bit deceiving as there wasn't a great head however, it came out well in the mouth. Golden strwa in color. There wasn't to much nose at first but as it warmed in my hand it began to come out. The nose reminded me of sweet fruity type spcies. Ontasting it the first thing I noticed was a citrus (tangerine to lemon) note right up front. The brew had a crisp dry finish. I understan this brew uses some type of a belgian yeast strain and am told this is where the citrus like taste comes into play.

I like this brew alot and am intending to purchase sixtel for a summer party.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2004 13:41:02 | More by maybrick

GeoffFromSJ

New Jersey

4.43/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This beer was served in a Ommegang Witte glass (very interesting looking) at Monk's. Not much head to speak of but a good bit of carbonation. It had a beautiful orangish color. The nice citrus flavors are present throughout and in the smell as well. Very refreshing. Not too many spicy Belgian yeast esters compared to other Belgians, which I like better for a summer beer. This gets high marks for its drinkability. If you like the style, I would definitely grab one of these.

Serving type: on-tap

05-05-2004 10:02:48 | More by GeoffFromSJ

TagoMago

New York

3.85/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Presentation: 12 oz. capped bottle poured into Hoegaarden tumbler.

Appearance: Pale yellow, with the usual unfiltered wheat cloudiness. The beer pours with a moderately sized creamy head, which subsides to a light cream foam, which leaves a nice lacing on the glass.

Aroma: Yeasty nose with herbal/lemony/corriander overtones.

Taste: This is a very tart wit, with hints of yeasty lemon and orange rind. A faint taste of corriander spiciness is detected, but seems to be more prominent in the beer's aroma.

Overall: This is an only average wit for its price. I bought a six-pack of this at Beers of the World, which cost me nearly $14.00! At this amount, I was expecting something out of this world, or at least something better than average. In turn I got something very average. Next time I will stick to my Allagash White. It's better, and it costs nearly six dollars less. Excluding the issue of price, there are still much better beers of this style out there.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2004 03:03:26 | More by TagoMago

Billolick

New York

4.3/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

12 ounce bottle, poured into a Hoegaarden goblet. Soft yellow, cloudy, white tiny bubble head, disolving in a nice sheen, leaves generous lacing. Yeasty nose. Creamy mouthfeel, pleasant and refreshing. Soft flavors of coriander, yeast, lemon, maple syrup,flowers, yummy stuff. I'll be enjoying this stuff all summer with salads, BBQ and whatever. Welcome to a new and tasty creation. This bottle was a party favor from the American-Belgian beer dinner at Oscars restaurant.

Serving type: bottle

05-01-2004 15:45:53 | More by Billolick