Ommegang Adoration Ale - Brewery Ommegang

Durge

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev +2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Happily able to grab some of this from DeCicco's in Brewster, New York although I got stuck with the last pint or two into a partial growler fill (free though!). This stuff has a radiant rusty, near cherry colored copper appearance with a pretty flimsy topping that offers some modest signs of lacing. The aroma is a beautifully pungent cherry brandy with apple nutmeg sweetness, deep and near candy-like and even a touch of Dr. Pepper and fruit nougat. Really captivating. The taste buds receive bright liquid oak and brandy with ideas of nutmeg-clove, vanilla malt and light cherry-rhubarb. Alcohol is notable but not overpowering. It has peppery edges with very delicate but effective carbonation. The feel is also near brandy-like, medium-heavy bodied, fairly thick but just a bit more watery so as to invite more than just sipping despite the hefty ABV. Alcohol releases at the finish and more of the oak barrel kind of qualities seem evident. Though drinkable enough, this seems like it's enjoyed best as a single serving. Something to savor on a winters night while contemplating the fireplace and snowy landscapes outside your window. Very nice.

Serving type: growler

10-16-2011 04:16:55 | More by Durge

One2Remeber

Florida

3.88/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Filled my growler a couple hours ago, pouring into a snifter.

A: Pours an inviting creamy, thick, light tan head. Body is a dark ruby red color with a hue of light brown. Carbonation looks spot on.

S: Candy sweet, like red licorice. Typical Ommegang yeast in the undertones. No real alcohol presence in the nose. I think I'm starting to pick up on the grains of paradise, they start off with a sharp tartness (like raspberries) then turn to a peppery finish, or perhaps I'm getting a combination of ingredients.

T: Taste like a sweet, tarty juice with very low acidity. Middle of swallow presents a potent spicy characteristic that quickly fades before the lingering taste is comparable to a lambic. I do not taste any alcohol at all making it highly drinkable, I see why it is considered a winter seasonal ale. Adoration would warm you right up before a brisk walk through the snow.

M: Some bubbly carbonation hits near the back end of the throat but is not over bearing in the slightest touch. The ruby red fruit juice taste coats the mouth which dominants from other flavors from really pulling out. Feels a numb bitterness on the tongue then after the swallow a lot of the flavors really shine which makes one want to wait till taking another sip.

O: Not a go to beverage, but an exceptional gift on a special occasion. I would grab a couple bombers to take to a family thanksgiving dinner, perfect beer you could sip 12oz over an hour or two. Does not blow me away, but keeps up to par with my expectations from Ommegang. I have not had an average beer from them yet.

Serving type: growler

10-01-2011 05:56:57 | More by One2Remeber

thagr81us

South Carolina

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

2011 Vintage! Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured massively dark red brown with a two finger light tan head that subsided to a half finger slowly. Maintained nice lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, dark fruit, bread, sweet alcohol, raisin, and subtle toasted bread. The flavor was of sweet malt, bread, wood, dark fruit, and sweet alcohol. It had a medium feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a good brew. The notes of dark fruit going on in this one really tied everything together and made it quite enjoyable throughout each sip. There was a nice touch of sweet alcohol as well which reminded you what you were drinking. This was fairly nice for the style. Really glad I got the chance to tick it on tap and I suggest you at least do the same once.

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2013 17:47:28 | More by thagr81us

MDDMD

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-brown with hints of red and a smallish tan head and a little lacing

S-dark fruit, spices, brown sugar, malt

T-raisins, figs, dates, brown sugar, malt, cloves, cinnamon, pepper

F-medium body with light to moderate carbonation, smooth, alcohol well-integrated

O-a nice Belgian ale, enjoyable to sip, solid flavor

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 02:16:08 | More by MDDMD

Jimmys

Pennsylvania

4.21/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

750mL into tulip. PKG on 09/13/10. Best by 09/2015. kept at cellar conditions since 03/11.

A: a hazed deep red, almost brown in hue. head is slightly off-white. retention is average. minimal lacing.

S: wisps of cinnamon, even more cardamom. sweet, a little bit of a heather-like aroma.

T: this is a big Belgian. sweet, all kinds of fruit. plums for sure. figs as well. there is a slight oaky flavor in there, even though this brew was not aged in anything resembling oak. as far as I know. a very slight smoke in the finish.

M: carb is mellow/average. full bodied.

D: this thing is pretty smooth and tasty. big but not hot. seems like cellar time has helped mellow the abv. a nice Belgian dark imo.

Serving type: bottle

04-18-2013 06:22:03 | More by Jimmys

srhoadsy

Florida

4.01/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Served chilled into a tulip.

Pours a cloudy chestnut brown with half an inch of airy, tan head that quickly recedes with light surface layer and moderate lacing.

Aromas of caramelized sugars, dried fruits and alcohol.

Flavors follow through the aromas with hints of spice and citrus. Really reminded of a spiced rum.

Medium to heavy bodied with moderate carbonation and a sweet finish. Sweet aftertaste but not as much alcohol burn as the aroma would suggest.

Overall a nice example of the style. I enjoyed it, and this is not one of my favorite styles of beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 22:41:41 | More by srhoadsy

Nitro-Boy

Illinois

4.89/5  rDev +20.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 5

Overall I would say this is one of the top 5 beers I have ever had. This stuff is a MUST try. There is a lot going on here... The spices and orange flavor are perfectly balanced. This is no Blue Moon. This is truly Heaven in a glass. I love there Three Philosophers. Like all of these beers in this catagory, let it warm up a bit as the true flavors come out. AWESOME.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 03:48:44 | More by Nitro-Boy

CHickman

New York

3.09/5  rDev -24.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Beer notes from 12/7/09; had it on tap at Tyler's Taproom in NC: pours copper amber brown with a small tan head; smells sweet with spices, malt, orange peel, coriander, cinnamon and more spices. Tastes spicy up front with yeast, malt, orange peel, coriander, cinnamon and spices like a heavy Belgian that seemed unbalanced. Almost tastes skunky from all the winter spices (pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, etc.), with mild carbonation that had an overall heavy feel to it. This brew was OK, but I would hesitate to get this again.

Serving type: on-tap

03-08-2013 20:49:21 | More by CHickman

StaveHooks

Oklahoma

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

750ml served in a St Bernardus goblet

A - Pours a murky brown color with mahogany hues. Thin head of beige bubbles separate to form a solid collar.

S - Lots going on here, lots of spice and fruit esters, bananas, cherries, figs, raisins, vinous grapes, sugary dates are the most prominent. Smells like a moist fruit cake. Deep and rich toffee/caramel malts.

T - Fruit galore, figs, dates, apples, bananas, cherries, the orange peel really comes out in the flavor. A malty burnt toffee backbone creates a solid base and is infused with lots of spices, cinnamon nutmeg, cardamon, anise, pepper, coriander, and the weird one that I have no idea what it tastes like is mace. There's so many that I wouldn't have been able to pick all of them out if it wasn't on the bottle. The finish is yeasty and spicy.

M - Moderate carbonation, medium body with a bulky feel.

They did not mess around when it comes to the amount of spices in this beer. Loads of fruit as well as a dense maltyness. Almost too much going on at once. This is to be sipped for sure.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 23:34:42 | More by StaveHooks

brewsclues

Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

750ml bottle served at cellar temp.

Winter warmers are not my favorite style, and so it is with slight trepidation that I tackle Ommegang's Adoration, a self-prescribed "Special Winter Ale", although there have been few Ommegang brews that I have not been impressed with.

A nice amber/brown color with a tan head. Not too much lacing to speak of - by the end of the brew, there was a thin circle of head at the perimeter of the glass.

Beautiful nose: fig, plums, and dark, ripe raisins (typical for the style). Plenty of spice (orange and tangerine) and big ol' Belgian yeast esters comin' at me, too. Saucy.

Great taste: a lot like a Rochefort 10, but with more coriander, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Apples and pear dominate the taste, and the "evergreen", "Christmas-tree-water" taste is subtle (sometimes it can over-dominate a winter warmer). Plenty of dark bread (pumpernickel), with a spicy aftertaste that is medium-dry. Delicious. The alcohol is hidden nicely on this, and the aftertaste is akin to the warming of a red wine.

Really enjoyed this beer - I would reach for it again in a heartbeat if looking for a "Winter Ale" style that is true to form and relatively sessionable for a 10%-er. Ommegang does not disappoint with this one.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 00:36:08 | More by brewsclues

fx20736

New York

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a wired and corked 750ml bottle, served at cellar temp.

Rich Umber like a tawny port with a creamy cappuchino head that recedes quickly and leaves little lacing. I subtracted points for the poor head retention and lack of good lacing.

aroma is fruity with apples, white grapes, apricots. Serious butterscotch aroma with a faint echo of herbal hops.

mouthfeel is soft and slippery.

taste: an Explosion of flavors; cocoa, plums, dates, butterscotch, molasses, grapes. A slight booziness but overall the 10% abv is well hidden.

Notes: OMG! one of the best smelling and best tasting beers I have ever tasted. I love this beer

Serving type: bottle

12-23-2012 18:34:19 | More by fx20736

CA_Infidel2o9

2.98/5  rDev -26.8%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Poured from a bomber to a Tulip

A- merky copper, 1/2" quickly fading off white head

S- sour, grapes, apple cider, bubblegum, typical winter spices, pumpkin ale

T- sweet soured grapes, apple cider, wine, medicine, spices, ginger bread, alcohol, pumpkin ale

M- medium body, crisp carbonation, alcohol heat

O- my first ommegang and i must say its barely tolerable. It's like someone took a bunch of grapes and apples, put them in a jar until they rotted, and poured it into my tulip. Intensely sweet & sour grapes/apples dominate everything, with holiday spices and bubblegum yeast playing the supporting role. I sit here with half a bomber left and continue to tell myself "it'll get better, let it warm a bit." I'll try my hardest not to drain pour this, but i can't guarantee anything...

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 00:15:59 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

Strix

Wisconsin

4.33/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Slightly hazy reddish-amber, huge head that stays around awhile.

Malt, caramel, full of spices - cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg - it's like a spice rack fell into this. But in a nice way.

Similarly complex flavors - lacking the typical "dark fruits" feel of the style, with the spices in the forefront. Coriander, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, brown sugar, booze. Nicely done.

Very smooth mouthfeel.

This was unique and quite enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-08-2012 02:57:28 | More by Strix

draheim

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

750mL (best by 9/2015) into a chalice. Pours a clear mahogany w/ a 1-finger khaki head, lively carb.

Aroma is fruity and sweet. Brown sugar, molasses, dark fruit. Has a floral, almost perfumy quality.

Taste follows nose. Lots of sweet candi sugar, dark malt, figs, dates, and a warm kiss of booze. Brown sugar, toffee.

Mouthfeel is crisp, clean with a dry finish. Evaporates off the palate. Very nice, true to style.

Overall a world-class BSDA, among the best I've had from anywhere.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 04:10:04 | More by draheim

wordemupg

Alberta (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

750ml corked and caged bottle poured into tulip 28/10/12, thanks liamt07 for the bottle

A some sediment in a brownish amber body, not much for visible carbonation but a three finger light tan foam sinks rather quickly with just a random patch of lace

S licorice root, nutmeg, cola and root beer come out fairly strong with some booze and more spices but strangely enough I don't really get any of whats listed on the bottle, some rum raisin, caramel, and Christmas cake with a little coco, smells pretty darn good

T more of the same really, boozy Christmas cake with some real licorice root and rummy raisin, decent Winter Warmer, a little strong perhaps it just needs too be colder outside, not as brilliant as the nose but pretty tasty

M a little thin and it quickly foams up then flattens out, some faint heat but well managed for 10%, a little dark fruits on the finish

O the great nose didn't quite follow through in other areas but not lacking by any means, perhaps some age would bump this up into another class but I'd buy another if I could in my part of the world

I get lots of Ommegang in Alberta but not this one, thanks again Liam for shipping the bottle. I'd recommend throwing this one under the stairs for a while but I had no way to know that with the single bottle

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 05:27:09 | More by wordemupg

claspada

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

2010 bottle.

Pours a hazy, mahogany-hued color with a medium-sized quickly dissipating foamy beige head.

Aromas begin quite fruity, with strong generic spiciness and fairly sweet-scented maltiness with layers of melted caramel candy and more than its fair share of notable alcoholic "hotness". I imagine this had more spice characteristic fresh and I am surprised by the spicy alcohol.

The tastes begin with sweet caramel maltiness further boosted by an additional sugary candy sweetness is complemented by a clove/cardamon/cinnamon spice blend which adds a peppery bite. As it warms you get plenty of dark and stone fruit tastes and some more of that unpleasant growing alcoholic hotness.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with medium carbonation. The finish is both spicy and sweet with a pinch of boozy heat.

Overall, I deserve what I get from Ommegang. They just continue to displease me over and over again. Even with age the the bold spiciness serves only to accentuate the hot, fusel alcohol character of the beer. I've am officially done with Ommegang until further notice, especially because of the excessive price point of most of their beers. For good American examples of Belgian styles seek anything from Allagash.

Serving type: bottle

10-19-2012 23:26:10 | More by claspada

Vixie

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours kind of a brown with a hint of red, reminds me a bit of the look of root beer. Forms a large tan colored head.

Strong smell to this one, a lot of spices. I am not good at picking out individual spices, but comes across to me as a it of licorice, pepper, and a bit of candy like sweetness, similar to toffee.

Very spicy beer here. Not sure all I am tasting, but am assuming it is the coriander and mace that are giving it a spicy kick. It is a touch peppery, but can also taste some Belgian candy sugar, giving it a hint of a brown sugar flavor. Finishes with a bit of alcohol warming.

Thick yet smooth, nice feel.

Unusual twist on one of my favorite styles. Although a good beer, I do think turning down the spice level a bit would have helped, the spices tend to overwhelm what I like best about this style. Would be a nice beer on a cold winter night, but treat it with respect, it is a potent one.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 01:41:19 | More by Vixie

JayQue

Virginia

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

Very enjoyable spiced Belgian Ale. Poured from a 750 ml corked and caged bottle into a pint glass. Murky mahogany color. Good sized light tan head, very bubbly and holds up well despite the 10% abv. Very little lacing.

Smell is bready malts and the spices. Coriander, cardamom and ginger are prominent. I don't know what mace smells like in a beer. Very pleasant.

Taste is similar. A malty backbone, not all that sweet. Plenty of spices but not the Christmas nutmeg/cinnamon potpouree variety. I tasted the cardamon and ginger..

Mouthfeel is very good as well. Very rich, spicy, a little bitterness and nicely carbonated. No hint of the 10% abv. A slow sipper based on taste only. Not aware of the high abv while drinking it.

This is a nice slow sipper. Light enough for year round but still very rich. Another winner from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

06-03-2012 19:44:59 | More by JayQue

Pegasus

Texas

4.03/5  rDev -1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Nearly opaque dark amber body with an abundance of haze, a moerate off-white head, which retains well, with hieroglyph-like lacing. The carbonation is slight with some flakes of sediment.

Aroma: Lots of spices, cloves, coriander, cinnamon, prominent bready yeast, and dark bread not\es, as well as a whiff of vinous alcohol.

Taste: Opens with sweet, dark malt, vinous alcohol, soon followed by dark bread notes, spies: coriander cloves, ginger, as well as caramel. Finishes with a lingering note of old hops, alchol, and brown sugar.

Mouth feel: Smooth, soft, very pleasant.

Drinkability/notes: A file ale, well suited to a celebration.

Presentation: Packaged in a twenty-two ounce brown glass Belgian bomber sealed with a cork and cage, served in a Great Divide chalice

Serving type: bottle

05-27-2012 16:58:29 | More by Pegasus

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter glass. Bottled 08/04/2011.

Appearance: A deep red-amber tiny sediments floating throughout, off-head somewhat thin maybe a 1/4" .

Smell: Very light yeast and feel of dark fruit. Light smell not overpowering.

Taste: Yeast with a touch of cinnamon and feel of banana, this is a little weird on my end but very likeable.

Mouth: Sticking after taste that is built for the best of every drinker.

Overall: You're kidding me if you don't try it, if you have the chance grab it. Little sweet in a awkward type of way but hard on raw yeast flavor. Keeping drinking, salud!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2012 03:30:09 | More by BlurryVisi0n

JTSbeerislife

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12 oz serving poured into a DFH Signature snifter at my request, thanks Maria. While not the best glass this was certainly preferable to the miserable tall narrow tulip that was offered. Again my thanks to Maria.

Pours a light 1/8” head, off white, and rapidly diminishing. Fair lace.
Deep amber/red color.

The aroma is very distinctive. It hits you first with distinct Belgium yeast, spicy and aromatic, followed by distinct apple, orange and dried fruit. Huge yeasty nose, wow! Complex.

Crisp entry on the palate of distinct Belgium yeast, very refined malt and yeast, golden malt, distinct cherry, Belgium candied flavors. Medium crisp, full bodied, Champagne like carbonation with a medium sweetness. All very well balanced. Exceptionally flavorful and complex.

Very, very long finish of candied Belgium yeast.

This is an excellent Ale of the style. Best at 45-50 degrees. Incredible yeast in nose and flavor.
I did not detect a lot of the spice components mentioned by Ommegang, at least not distinctly, but taken as a whole there is a lot going on here, orange and yeast and Belgium candy and golden malt.
Rather complex. The 10% ABV in not noticeable at all. Delicious! Elegant and extremely drinkable.
Highly recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2012 00:45:15 | More by JTSbeerislife

kylehay2004

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

1.5 finger head with good retention and nice lacing on a cloudy deep amber brown body. Aroma is very sweet and smells like candy and pineapple. Flavor Is mostly dark fruit including plum and raisin mostly. Belgian yeast and cinnamon round this one out. Medium body and moderate to high carbonation. Overall very complex flavorful and drinkable. An excellent beer and must try.

Serving type: on-tap

03-25-2012 03:23:38 | More by kylehay2004

rlee1390

Indiana

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A-Clear deep red, two finger head

S-Dark fruits, plums, peppery as well, very spice heavy.

T-Similar to the nose, dark fruits, some caramel, cardamom comes through, belgian yeast notes as well.

M-Medium bodied, nice carbonation, smooth.

O-A tasty brew, the higher alcohol content does get to you after a while though. Will gladly have again.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2012 20:36:09 | More by rlee1390

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Brown with ruby red showing up near the bottom, one finger of tan coloured head, little to no lace. Smell is overwhelmingly spicy at first, corriander and mace, dark fruit shows up under a layer of alcohol, earthy, orange peel, mollasses and some yeast round out the nose. Taste is also quite spicy, cardamom, citrusy orange flavours, cinnamon and pepper, fruit rolls in with yeast, chocolatey with some hot alcohol in the finish with more spice and dark fruits. Medium high carbonation, full body and weight. Pretty good and better as it warmed up but at points seemed to be over spiced and boozy, decent drinkability that may have improved with a few more months in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 16:25:24 | More by peensteen

david131

Michigan

4.58/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Pours a deep, hazy blood red liquid with some orange highlights. The light brown head is creamy and settles to a thin covering.

S- This smells amazing. Abundant dark fruit, brown sugar, a bit of spiciness, some alcohol, and candy store. Very complex and inviting.

T- Sweet and malty, with caramel and toffee coming through at first. The spices and alcohol come through next. The finish is sweet and the Belgian aspect really comes through. Delicious.

M- Very creamy carbonation with a smooth body and a slightly boozy finish.

O- A delicious and really well made beer. The more of this I drink, the better it gets. For the alcohol content, this is dangerously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2012 04:24:54 | More by david131