Ommegang BPA (Belgian-style Pale Ale) - Brewery Ommegang

Utica_Brew_Review

New York

3.91/5  rDev -2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Murky dark golden appearance with decent head. Darker than a regular pale ale. Citrus hoppy aroma characteristic of regular pale ales. Great drinkability. Combines the best of a Belgian style ale with the best of a pale ale creating a refreshing beer that is lighter than a normal pale ale while retaining its classic characteristics. Amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

03-17-2013 19:31:00 | More by Utica_Brew_Review

smcolw

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Here's my updated review from having this on tap:

Modest head but it leaves a combination of blanket and ring lace. The color is dark gold and is lightly hazy.

The smell is a blend of pale malt, Belgian yeast and a touch of hops.

Fits the category well with a superior balance of the pale malts and a (stronger than the smell) hop pepper. Distinctive Belgian yeast is present but not overpowering. The finish features clove and white pepper.

———————
4.5 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

Huge starting head. As it settles, it leaves less lace than one might expect. Leaves a dome. Still, there is plenty of spots on the glass side. Hazy, golden color.

Fresh pale ale smell consisting of lighter malt and floral hop. Very mild Belgian yeast in the background.

More yeast in the flavor. Starts with a mild grainy malt flavor but ends with a sizable hop bitterness bite. The body is on the full side but the carbonation is also high. There's also some tartness to the flavor.

Serving type: on-tap

03-03-2013 21:14:51 | More by smcolw

Murrhey

Montana

4.18/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured on-tap at Slater's 50/50 in Huntington Beach, Calif. Reviewed from notes.

A- Finger width white head. Very little retention. Sticky white lacing. Dull gold color with wonderful clarity.

S- Floral and spicy hops with a fruity smell as well.

T- Never had one like this. Hoppy but very sour. Like a wild ale met an IPA and had a sudsy little baby. Wonderful flavor with a bitter and sour linger.

M- Medium bodied with aggressive carbonation. Finishes wet.

O- Very nice beer, wonderful surprise!

Serving type: on-tap

11-15-2012 00:40:53 | More by Murrhey

Nutwood

Kentucky

4.18/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

Had this nice refresher on tap today on a spring-like day in mid January.

A: 20 ounce pour into a mug; slightly hazy sunshine gold with a finger of dense, nearly white head, receding to a lasting cap and nice even, delicate lacing.

S: floral and earthy aroma with a hint of honey and distant barnyard.

T: nicely balanced, with soft clove, light malt, a touch of funk, and a grapefruit note bitterness on the finish. Hops come forward as the glass warms. Very clean and fresh, a nice prelude to spring.

M: body fits the taste perfectly, a bit to the full side of medium with just enough carbonation to accent the freshness of the flavor.

O: great take on the style with just enough hops to let you know it's American. This beer has all the integrity I have come to expect form Ommegang.

Serving type: on-tap

10-01-2012 01:28:58 | More by Nutwood

Bierman9

New Hampshire

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On my way to the Greenwood Lake Airshow on 17AUG12, I stopped into the Bridge View Tavern for lunch. Started off with a pint of OBPA, at $5.00.

Shaker glass was filled with a clear, medium golden offering. Had sparse carbo and a thin, super-fine head of white bubbles, leaving behind some nice lace. Nose was mild, with some biscuity action and rindy hoppiness. Had a solid, basic mouthfeel of medium body and light prickle on the tongue.

Had some crisp, light sweetness right off from the pale malts. A bit biscuity and crackery, even a touch bready. Was decently bitter with rindyness well displayed here. In addition to the citrus action, there was some funky, Belgian yeast characteristics in the dryish finish. Nothing that knocked my sox off, but it was tasty and satisfying from start to end. Prosit!

3.93/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

1488

Serving type: on-tap

08-22-2012 16:48:06 | More by Bierman9

TheRealBigC

Nevada

3.43/5  rDev -14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Kind of a so-so beer for me. Pours alright - a bright yellow color. Big time floral smell and it comes through in the taste as well. It's very dry, with notes of grass, grain & lemon. Complex, yet quite drinkable. Definitely on the lighter side, but it's not very refreshing. Other folks might take to it a little better than me I would understand.

Serving type: on-tap

08-11-2012 00:07:50 | More by TheRealBigC

thagr81us

South Carolina

3.55/5  rDev -11.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served from tap into a Trappe Door tulip. Poured golden yellow-orange with a two finger white head that subsided to a half finger slowly. Maintained phenomenal lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, banana, fruit, fruit hop, and spice. The flavor was of sweet malt, banana, fruit, fruit hop, spice, earth, and earth hop. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a fairly decent brew. This was a fair example of the style, but nothing really stood out at all on it to me. I went back a second day and accidently ordered the same brew as I forgot I hadn’t ticked it the day before and immediately got upset with myself. While this one isn’t bad, it just wasn’t my cup of tea as I really wanted something that would wow me. Unfortunately this was not it… Worth trying for yourself to give it a shot, especially if you are a fan of the style.

Serving type: on-tap

07-28-2012 15:06:45 | More by thagr81us

ThePortlander

New York

3.88/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had on tap at Franklin Park in Crown Heights.

It appears a hazy golden yellow with a foamy head. The aroma was familiarly hoppy (cascade?), and fairly yeast assertive (my friend suggested a bit of mosquito repellent). The taste is somewhat more promising, as the chalky belgian yeast character feels better in the mouth than it smells. The interplay between yeast and hops is quite nice, but I still felt the malt presence could be a little better. Was not a favorite of the afternoon, but still nice in its own right.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 16:23:06 | More by ThePortlander

UCLABrewN84

California

3.8/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the ColLAboration beer fest at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, CA.

Pours a murky light orange with a foamy orange-white head that settles to a small cap. Foamy rings of lace line the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt/grain, herbal hops, and a slightly funk gym sock aroma. Taste is of malt/grain, grassy hops, and a slight funk on the finish. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good Belgian pale ale that is very easy to drink. Not too crazy about the smell though.

Serving type: on-tap

02-27-2012 04:26:20 | More by UCLABrewN84

rodney45

New York

3.73/5  rDev -7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Note: Had on tap at the Peculier Pub. NYC

A: Dark gold with a creamy off white head with thick lacing.

S: Malt, clove, pear, cherry and pine tree.

T: First flavor notes are of crystal and pilsner malt blend. Noble hop, corriander, black pepper are the secondary flavor profile. Slight hints of orange zest. Dry aftertaste.

M: Light to medium body with high carbonation.

O. A decent, but not great offering from a brewery ive come to know and love. I guess its an acceptable example of a belgian pale, but it doesnt really do the brewery justice. Being a homebrewer, I would have tried to smooth the pepper hop profile and balance the noble hops a little better. Not bad, just not one of Ommegang's better beers. Mouthfeel is a little too carbonated for a standard BPA and it isnt adequately spiced to consider it a good belgian fit. Not as good as the Ommegang Rare vos.

Serving type: on-tap

01-23-2012 03:07:16 | More by rodney45

UDbeernut

New York

3.78/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at the Dutch. Golden hue capped by a nice head with good retention, slightly cloudy. Smell is full of flower and light cracker. Well balanced by light malt, slightly cutting bitterness from flower, light grass and hay. Light to medium bodied..

Serving type: on-tap

01-20-2012 01:42:47 | More by UDbeernut

AgentMunky

Alabama

3.53/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a 20 ounce weizen glass at Wild Wings Cafe in Charlottesville. From notes. Reviewed 5 July 2011.

A: Clear at the narrow part of the glass and cloudy at the wide parts. A nice head fades, leaving good lacing behind. Golden amber and prettyish.

S: Sweet spice, vague yeast. Not very powerful. Cinnamon and clove?

T/M: Very sour...I wonder if it's the beer or the tap. It's very tingly...not so much carbonated as titillating and dryingly effervescent on the tongue. The beer is less flavourful than expected/remembered, with only a tart, drying yeastiness that fades through the endtaste. Still, it's nice enough.

O: Meh, alright beer. Neither a great Ommegang nor a great Belgian Pale. Still, perhaps a cut above many other 'pale ales' in general. I would drink it again, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-03-2012 21:30:17 | More by AgentMunky

brentk56

North Carolina

4.4/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Arrives the color of light amber and is capped with a very nice head that leaves splotches of lace

Smell: Bready, with peppery yeast complexity and an earthy hop character

Taste: Bready, up front, with apple and pear elements; the peppery yeast makes an early entrance, as well, but by mid-palate, the earthy hops take over; the finish combines all the flavors in a well-balanced blend

Mouthfeel: Medium body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: I really like Ommegang's take on the style; the fruity elements, the hop character and the well-balanced finish are very appealing

Serving type: on-tap

12-30-2011 12:22:30 | More by brentk56

suspect

New York

4.45/5  rDev +11%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from on tap into a standard pint glass.

A: crystal clear honey color. Received with a thin half finger head that disappears to thick, consistent lacing.

S: bready yeast smell that is very typical Ommegang brews shines through beautifully. Some hop bitterness picked up followed by delicious malt blends.

T: taste follows nose but the bready yeast takes a back seat to the lovely malt concoction. Hops round out the end of the sip.

M: creamy mouth coating makes for a wonderful feel. Aftertaste sticks around and lingers for a while. Smooth finish leaves me wanting more.

O: a delicious BPA with wonderful complexities yet a very easy drinker. Easily one of the best beers I've had.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 23:36:02 | More by suspect

mikesgroove

South Carolina

3.93/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

golden in color and nearly white as it shined through. Really amazing color here or lack there of I should say. Big white fizzy head of foam then rises up two fingers high and settles down quickly leaving only a light bit of lacing on the sides but tons of carbonation bubbling toward the surface. Aroma is light, fresh grass, lemon zest, hints of grain and light pear all come out but you have to search for them to find them. As I take a sip though a clean, crisp and refreshing ale reveals itself, Very nicely done here on the taste. Light, airy, with a light bitter back to it. It had a touch of bite. Nice clean, easy carbonation and light dry finish,

Serving type: on-tap

12-10-2011 06:21:33 | More by mikesgroove

jtierney89

New Jersey

3.5/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On tap in bryant park, its cold outside but im sitting next to a nice heat lamp. Pours a bright orange hue with a thin white lace of a head and lots of visible carbonation.

Grassy lemon flavor with a smooth body and crisp bite. Some clove scents and flavors but they're subtle and lie beneath the other flavors.

Not too much of a Belgian presence, more of a crisp light drinker.

More hop character than expected, not that its a bad thing. Not a fantastic beer but in this perfect winter city moment, its quite nice.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2011 19:14:15 | More by jtierney89

notchucknorris

California

3.7/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Bar Pink in North Park

A: Hazy dark golden color with a big fluffy white head.

S: Fairly light aroma with some chalky yeast, a bit of candi sugar and some lemon zest.

T: Fairly dry with some notes of clove and a slight bit of banana. Some grassy hop resin creeps in on the finish.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 18:38:34 | More by notchucknorris

bsp77

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving glass: Poured from tap into Tulip.

Appearance: Clear copper-amber with nice off white head.

Smell: Quite hoppy with grapefruit, tropical fruit and some spiciness. Biscuit, clove and banana as well.

Taste: Similar to the aroma with a biscuit malt backing and nice clove and banana yeast undercurrent. Nice layer of tropical hops on top with mild bitterness and spiciness.

Feel: Moderately high carbonation with a relatively light body. Nice dry finish.

Overall: Very nice borderline Belgian IPA. Refreshing and complex.

Serving type: on-tap

11-17-2011 00:50:28 | More by bsp77

zbellino

Louisiana

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

Solid tier of gold with a light tobacco hue. It really builds a sticky head that grips the side of the glass like cobwebs, even if it takes a while for the head to die down.

The aroma is really light, but sweet in the back of the nose like bananas and cream with a gardener's touch of floral and fir.

Tastes sweet like mango and ruby red grape fruit. A subtle herbaceousness infects this brew. Really, this beer is smooth, and all about the taste.

Overall an accomplishment. Well hopped enough to keep you off the heavier stuff, downright refreshing enough to session on a hot day.

Kudos Ommegang.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2011 01:46:01 | More by zbellino

EnJeiBee

Wisconsin

3.53/5  rDev -12%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Hazy golden hue with a thin white head and great lacing

S - It had the sweet, citrusy funky Belgian nose I expected, but none of the hop profile I hoped for (although I realize the style isn't supposed to be overly hoppy)

T - Thin flavor profile similar to the nose. A slightly bready, yeasty Belgian funk with a hit of bitterness upon finish

M - Light to medium bodied and moderately carbonated

O - This was very enjoyable but something about it seemed like it was lacking to me. I felt that the flavor profile seemed watered down.

Serving type: on-tap

10-14-2011 04:41:55 | More by EnJeiBee

Vengeance526

Louisiana

4.18/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours a slightly hazy golden orange color with a large white head that has great retention and leaves a lot of lacing.

Fruity aroma of apple, pear, and lemon upfront with some wheat and light hops in the back.

Taste is also very fruity with apple and pear being most dominant, along with some banana, lemon, and a touch of pineapple. Wheat, grassy hops and Belgian yeast are also present.

Medium body with a lot of lively carbonation. A good BPA overall, very refreshing and another solid offering from Ommegang.

Serving type: on-tap

09-29-2011 18:11:37 | More by Vengeance526

Tschnab

New York

4.25/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- a copper orange with a big creamy two inch head, tons of lace rings notch my journey as I take each sip.

S- bananas, bubblegum, bread, fruity tropical notes, hops.

T- this is a pleasant tasting beer! Enough tropical hops to add both zing and sweetness, and then the yeast brings the classic belgian golden ale flavor, but with a new american hoppy twist.

O- tastes to me a little more like a belgian ipa, and I love those. This is yet another great offering from a great brewery.

Serving type: on-tap

09-20-2011 14:18:45 | More by Tschnab

kylehay2004

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: single finger head with even solid lace around the glass. Murky, golden with light brown hues.

S: spicey and fruity mostly fig, apple and apricot.

T: spicy but less apple than in the aroma. typical belgian yeast notes with some hops.

M: smooth, lighter side of medium body

Overall: excellent taste and very drinkable. One of the better BPAs.

Serving type: on-tap

09-17-2011 01:03:22 | More by kylehay2004

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On tap at Blue Monk in Buffalo. Served in BPA branded glass.

A - Light to medium orange with a small amount of white head. Very good lacing.

S - Light citrus, bready notes, Belgian yeast, good apparent hop bitterness.

T - Grassy hops flavours, cloves, some light citrus notes, Belgian yeast.

M - Medium body with a nice chew. Very smooth. Light carbonation.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2011 18:44:52 | More by TheSevenDuffs

DrinkingDrake

Massachusetts

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

Bold and fiery amber/orange. Frothy off-white head the lingers and leaves a curtain down the sides of the glass. Aroma is a strong combination of orange and caramel malt along side some mellow, but balanced, earthy yeast. Tart flavor from the yeast upfront which gives way to the caramel toasty malts. That soon gets washed over by some fruity orange and lemon similar to the nose. Finishes with a earthy yeast bite along with some other character, most likely from hops, I can't recognize. Smooth malty body all the way through with a lot of yeast and hops working together nicely.

Serving type: on-tap

08-28-2011 22:06:54 | More by DrinkingDrake