Rare Vos (Amber Ale) - Brewery Ommegang

nhindian

Pennsylvania

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

12oz bottle into Ommegang glass.

A - As it pours from the bottle into my Ommegang flute, it builds a spectacular 3 finger, foamy as hell head that lasts forever. Constant streams of heavy carbonation rush through the burnt orange colored body and replenish the head throughout. As the beer draws on, the head folds over into a thick cap that is still speckled with bubbles. The lace on this is as if it's glued to the glass. It just completely coats the sides and spiderwebs the length. It always impresses me how well Ommegang's beers present themselves.

S - Although this is classified as a Belgian Dark, I'm getting a lot of the characteristics of a Belgian Pale in the nose, including coriander, orange peel, banana, and some spice. However, I do also smell some darker elements like figs, plums, and even some apple. Very floral and effervescent. Finally, getting the typical grape bubblegum aroma typical to other Belgian styles. Impressive and inviting.

T - Much like the smell, I'm definitely getting some Belgian Pale qualities in the flavor profile. Fruit and orange qualities up-front, reducing to more fuller, peppery finish. Not as dry as crisp as a Pale, and certainly more robust. Throughout the taste I get a malt thickness that adds a bread quality.

M - Mouthfeel is medium bodied with plenty of carbonation. The bubbles help deliver the flavor throughout the mouth, but don't completely cleanse the palate, but in a darker Belgian I'm not really expecting them to.

D - Drinkability is high. Moderately low ABV combined with a complex and flavorful taste profile keeps this one in my hand often. Just a slight hint of alcohol in the aftertaste. Drinks quickly and beautifully!

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2010 03:37:06 | More by nhindian

dennarb

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

It pours a lovely amber with a creamy half inch head.
The aroma is a marvelous combination of french bread just out of the oven, and spices like cloves and nutmeg.
The taste is full and complex like a fine Belgian ale, that combination of a tad of sweetness opening up to an earthy stew of spice and hops.
It is amazing1

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 00:54:23 | More by dennarb

WoodBrew

Illinois

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-23-2013 00:28:04 | More by WoodBrew

puuj

California

3.5/5  rDev -14%

05-22-2013 17:51:19 | More by puuj

fgilbert2

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-22-2013 06:01:50 | More by fgilbert2

johntfox

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 00:45:51 | More by johntfox

DIM

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

a: This was a bright, shiny golden copper color. It poured with a mediym sized, firm, fizzy cap that left thick sheets of lace in its wake. Lots of suspended particulate as well.

s: Mellow, musty pot-pourri spiced, stewed dark fruits. Mild banana and some clove.

t: Mineral-y biscuits, strongly spiced dried fruit. All very nice so far. The finish is kind of heavy though; lots of clove, nutmeg, and allspice.

m: All of the spice character makes the same kind of heavy.

o: Good, but among my couple of least favorites from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2013 20:41:14 | More by DIM

HinghamRick

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 16:38:08 | More by HinghamRick

Stalgondo

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 16:33:23 | More by Stalgondo

NJB145

Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-19-2013 01:54:25 | More by NJB145

timothef

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-18-2013 23:11:46 | More by timothef

Jessenimmo

California

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-18-2013 04:46:15 | More by Jessenimmo

falconxman

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -7.9%

05-18-2013 03:16:00 | More by falconxman

superspak

Michigan

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

12 ounce bottle into signature tulip glass, bottled on 11/13/2012. Pours moderately hazy and cloudy orange amber color with a nice 2-3 finger fluffy off white head with fantastic retention, that reduces to a nice cap that lasts. Spotty foamy lacing clings down the glass, with plenty of streaming carbonation retaining the head. Aromas of big banana, pear, apple, orange peel, light caramel, clove, pepper, coriander, floral, bread, and yeast earthiness. Fantastic aromas with great balance and complexity of fruity/spicy yeast notes with malt and spices. Taste of big banana, pear, apple, orange peel, clove, pepper, light caramel, bread, coriander, floral, and yeast earthiness. Lingering notes of light fruits, orange peel, clove, pepper, caramel, bread, coriander, floral, and earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Fantastic flavor balance and complexity of fruity/spicy esters with malt sweetness and spices; with zero cloying flavors after the finish. High carbonation and medium bodied; with a lightly slick, foamy, and crisp mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is very well hidden with hardly any warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is a fantastic Belgian pale ale! Great flavor balance and complexity; and extremely smooth to drink, even at high carbonation. A highly enjoyable offering.

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 04:13:22 | More by superspak

vmdominguez

Texas

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%

05-16-2013 03:20:13 | More by vmdominguez

MPPHISH

New York

2.75/5  rDev -32.4%

05-15-2013 14:51:52 | More by MPPHISH

Kopfschuss

Oregon

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-15-2013 07:47:38 | More by Kopfschuss

ElijahRivera

New York

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-15-2013 03:14:52 | More by ElijahRivera

spencek91

New York

4.5/5  rDev +10.6%

05-14-2013 23:09:04 | More by spencek91

HarmonMW

Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-14-2013 23:07:20 | More by HarmonMW

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.08/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Ommegang Rare Vos Amber Ale

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a shaker pint. Served chilled.

A) Nice looking copper color, with a big slightly off white head. At least 2 fingers. Nice retention, and some spotty lacing.

S) Nicely spiced... A bit of a fruity aroma, mainly orange peel. Belgian yeast definitely noted.

T) Follows the nose quite nicely. Again, a nice blend of spices, coriander, yeast. Finished with a little orange peel and a hint of alcohol. The flavors are well balanced.

M) Medium body, smooth, easy drinking, lighter carbonation, but enough to keep it lively. The spices stuck to my teeth and coated my mouth in a good way.

O) Enjoyed this beer... Sometimes spices in a brew can be a bit much for my tastes, but this was nice. Very well done... Could definitely unwind with a few of these. One of the better Belgian Pale Ales, I've had the pleasure of drinking. Glad to recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 02:43:12 | More by RoamingGnome

Kerrie

Michigan

4.25/5  rDev +4.4%

05-13-2013 00:57:12 | More by Kerrie

BeerForMuscle

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -1.7%

05-12-2013 20:24:25 | More by BeerForMuscle

bsp77

Minnesota

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

Serving glass: Poured from bottle into Tulip.

Appearance: Mostly clear copper with a billowing, off-white, sticky head. Persistent with lots of lacing.

Smell: Fruity, floral and spicy with definite banana and clove notes from the yeast.

Taste: Extremely spicy and biscuity, and the added orange peel, grains of paradise and coriander are quite noticeable. Not as yeast-like as the aroma, unless some of the spiciness is from the yeast.

Feel: Moderate carbonation, medium body, fairly dry finish.

Overall: Nice, everyday Belgian Ale, but the 6.5% abv keeps this from being as sessionable as it tastes. However, I guess 6.5% is a session beer for Belgians.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 22:06:33 | More by bsp77

philaduffia

New York

4.75/5  rDev +16.7%

05-11-2013 04:06:23 | More by philaduffia