Art Of Darkness - Brewery Ommegang

jwc215

New Jersey

4.75/5  rDev +19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours pitch black with a thick tan head. Lacing covers the glass.

The smell is spicy with anise, candy, chocolate. Robust and inviting!

The taste is spicy and sweet, Earthy/hoppy notes blend with chocolate, anise and espresso. Wonderfully balanced and delicious! It has a taste similar to Duval but dark. Some alcohol is noticeable, but enough to add to the complexity rather than detract. It has a long finish.

It is velvety smooth. Rich and full-bodied with soft carbonation.

This is a great dessert brew. Aptly named, this is truly a work of art!

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 15:44:15 | More by jwc215

frankiepop

Pennsylvania

4.73/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750 ml bottle that had an attractive black wiring holding the tight cork. Upon popping the cork, smoke hovered in the bottle, but did not dispense out. Poured a cool beer into Ommegang's own classy tulip glass and what a creamy big foam head with good lacing and sustenance. Color was dark dark brown near black, maybe hints of red ruby. As the beer disappears spin that beer around and the head reconstitutes itself a bit. I like that.

The aroma has a nice malty sweetness and some nice fruit scents arise.

Taste buds were hit with a true to Ommegang form of balancing a nice malty sweet flavoring balanced against subtle fruit & a bit of spice. Art of Darkness ups the ante a bit with an upfront blast of like licorice or espresso flavorings that remind you of an American style stout without the thickness. The beer finishes a tasty rich sweet bitterness.

A surprisingly smoooth heavy flavored malted beverage. Ladies who don't like stouts because of the grittiness then you might try Darkness if you are looking for more flavor.

A great beer that I may up my ratings on. So what complements this new monster addition to the Ommegang lineup? Well a perfect addition on a northern winter night in a craftsman home with a fireplace blazing while listening to Cecil Taylor percussive style piano with Jimmy Lyons saxophone player blazing next to him. I recommend the angry recording made in Germany "One More Salty Swift and Not Goodbye."

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2012 05:16:40 | More by frankiepop

ATfrisco

Maryland

4.73/5  rDev +19.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- Heavy black color with subtle mahogany undertones.

S-Very satisfying, great bouquet of vanilla, dark fruit, yeasty notes reminiscent to that of a Unibroue.

T- Outstanding. One of the best if not the best Belgian Strong Darks I've had in quite a while.

M- Liquid velvet.

O- Get it while you can, simply a brew not to be missed.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2012 19:40:29 | More by ATfrisco

FlemingVSKing

Florida

4.68/5  rDev +18.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

This is the wine of Beers.

It begins with the smooth feel and rich taste of a good mild stout and then quickly transitions through a light floral hop character before finishing with a brilliant and very drinkable oak flavor from the barrel aging process.

Essentially it morphs from a well crafted smooth stout or porter into a wine right in your mouth, all through an array of complementary yet wildly varried flavors. It's magic!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-25-2012 15:48:43 | More by FlemingVSKing

Edwaka01

New York

4.65/5  rDev +17.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Imperial pint poured draft.

A - Pours dark, dark brown, bordering on black. 1/2 finger head with decent retention time.

S - Toasted malts, wheat, coffee, and distinct Belgian-style yeastiness.

T - SMOOTH. Wheaty, malty, fairly straight-forward. Very drinkable per 8.9% and it's color. Hints of light cocoa on the finish, and no presence of alcohol whatsoever.

M - Lighter than expected, from the wheat, but not thin in the mouth. Very drinkable.

O - My favorite Ommegang in a while, which says a lot because I dig all the beers they do. Highly recommended, should be releasing to retail very soon.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2012 13:15:21 | More by Edwaka01

pkalix

California

4.5/5  rDev +13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A- beautiful thick, black with a tan head and hexagonal lacing down the sides.
S- definite belgium-type aroma; i've not been able to pin that down in a vocabularistic manner.
T- dark fruit flavors, some bitterness, some alcohol; but when it leaves it seems as if it might have been a lighter brew.
M- as someone else pointed out,some carbonation, but "silky".
O- easy to drink at a 8.9 clip. tasty, the bitterness is not too bad at all. someone mentioned he allowed some of the yeasty sediment to pour into the glass and it seemed "smoother". the little bit of yeast i tried with it came out a bit tangy but i dont think it was meant to be poured in as a hefe weizen is. i'm flashing back to the days of the Thomas Hardy Ales . . . . back then, THAT was the WORST of all the beers on the DER BARON's list to finish in Las Vegas... does anybody remember DER BARON's???

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 23:37:53 | More by pkalix

puboflyons

New Hampshire

4.48/5  rDev +13.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From the corked, caged 750 ml. bottle stamped: Pkg on 02/20/12-Best By 02/2015. Sampled on February 25, 2013.

It is a handsome looking deep dark brown to jet black with a silky, beige head that erupts and settles down to a lasting ring.

The aroma has a lot going on with black licorice sticks leading the way along with dark malts, dark plum/prune fruitiness, yeast, spice, and a hint of hops to balance it off.

The body is medium to full and smooth.

The taste, like the aroma, is complex with dark fruits that are more like cherries, black licorice, and even a little coffee. The alcohol can be spotted but it is generally well-integrated into the beer. The hop bite is muted at the end but it builds and lingers with each passing sip. I guess I liked it better than the previous raters.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 19:11:30 | More by puboflyons

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750 ml corked bottle into a Duvel tulip glass. Bottled on 02/20/12.

Appearance: Pours a very dark blackish brown with a slight hint of ruby at the bottom. Moderate bubbles and a big four finger light tan head which slowly recedes into a thin patchy layer. Leaves a good amount of lacing on the glass.

Smell: Aroma leaps out from the glass with dark fruits and yeast. Belgian yeast with hints of clove and black pepper. Dark roasted malts with hints of burnt toast, biscuit, bitter dark chocolate, caramel, toffee, and coffee.A very lively and big mix of dark fruits including raisin, dark grapes, berries, fig, and prune. Light hints of anise and smoke. Subtle earthy hop presence. The dark grapes really stand out. Pretty nice smell.

Taste: As fruity, spicy, and complex as it smells. Belgian yeast along with a taste of cloves, black pepper, and other spices. Very roasty dark malts with a taste of dark chocolate, toast, biscuit, coffee, burnt caramel, and toffee. Big taste of dark fruits with notes of dark grapes, raisin, fig, prunes, and berries. A little burnt candied sugar and subtle notes of anise and smoke. Some earthy hops add a little drying bitterness towards the finish. A really nice taste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with a medium to high level of carbonation. Creamy, spicy, and drying. Alcohol heat is subdued.

Overall: A really good take on a dark Belgian ale. It has the fruit esters and spices of a Dubbel and the roasted characteristics of a Stout. Really nicely done.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 08:02:42 | More by MattyG85

jmerloni

Massachusetts

4.39/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

A - Dark brown body with medium tan head. Velvety looking.

S - Dark fruits: plum, grapes, cherries, dates. Mild oakiness.

T - Dark fruits predominate, followed by a dry, oaky and earthy finish. Very well crafted flavor.

M - Moderately carbonated, medium-bodied.

D - A very solid beer. As usual from Ommegang. I don't think they're capable of putting out anything sub-birdie.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 03:23:09 | More by jmerloni

RickS95

Indiana

4.39/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 750 mL bottle

The color is really dark. Mostly black with some lighter brown shades mixed in. The head is a finger thick of offwhite bubbles that eventually forms a light brown film around the perimeter of the beer. A gentle swirl shows spotty lacing.

The bottle mentions flaked oats and it comes across as an oatmeal stout in the nose. Caramel malts are the only thing that comes to mind. If you really stick your nose in there, notes of alcohol come wafting up.

The taste is impressive, borderline spectacular. They've nailed the Belgian style, doing it better than a lot of brewers from across the pond. The caramel malts combine with the house yeast for a toffee taste with a backdrop of cola. It's really impressive.

The mouthfeel is pretty spot on as well. With the carbonation, it gives off a peppery feel. There is alcohol that provides a bit of bite as well. A subtle sweetness starts the sip and the alcohol and carbonation provide a bit of heat in the swallow. It's full bodied, but has a crisp, tangy finish that really coats the tongue.

If I didn't know better, I'd guess this to be a Trappist beer. It's really that good and the taste and feel are world class. Despite the high alcohol, it's an easy beer to drink. It's so good it begs you to take another swig. Really happy with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 01:45:26 | More by RickS95

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep, opaque, brownish sable with a very thick and somewhat persistent light tan head. The sample I got fizzed quite a bit, so I recommend having a towel handy when you crack open a bottle. Aroma has notes of caramel and molasses plus hints of licorice and pear. Superb flavor has a malty core and fruity, caramel and molasses tones, hints of horehound, licorice and honey. Smooth, firm-bodied texture does not have a lot of fizz, but it still pleases. Let this "dark side" seduce you while you have the opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2012 18:51:45 | More by Cyberkedi

vette2006c5r

Wisconsin

4.38/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Art of Darkness pours a black color, with a a large creamy head, that stubbornly wont go away. The smell is enticing, its sweet, with Belgian candies, but has a dark undertone, smokey, malty, bitter and boozy. The taste starts sweet, lots of belgian candy flavors, then a strong hit from the alcohol kicks in, and finishes with a malty finish. Nice strong taste, can sip on this one, and enjoy it. Overall a fantastic beer, complex and very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2012 02:25:43 | More by vette2006c5r

fx20736

New York

4.38/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

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

Onyx black which permits no light to pass through. Thick, souffle like sandy colored head that leaves spectral lacing.

aroma of dark fruit and molasses

slippery mouthfeel

Dark prunes and raisins with a treacle like bittersweetness riding atop a tidal wave of malt.

Notes: outstanding, tasty, yummy.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2012 00:53:21 | More by fx20736

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a dark brown-black color with a finger of frothy chocolate head atop. The head fades fairly slowly leaving behind some nice lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of roasted chocolate and dark fruits, with some wheat, and some Belgian yeasts.

T - Starts off some roasted dark chocolate and sweet dark fruits with a bit of wheat. Through the middle, some oats come through with the Belgian yeast flavor getting stronger as well. The finish is a mix of chocolate, a bit of dark fruit, some wheat, and and Belgian yeast funkiness.

M - Medium-full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet and warming finish.

D - Very drinkable. Nicely balanced with a good depth of balance. Really nice blend of chocolate and dark fruit with the yeast character.

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2012 06:47:56 | More by ngeunit1

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4.33/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Deep pitch black body this is the Art of Darkness, okay we get it, there's also a light tan head forming thick, with Belgian inspired lacing. Aromatics offer up with dark cocoa, spicy aromatics inspired by the yeasts fermentation process. Dark malts give off a solid roasted malt aspect that I can relate to anyday, also a dark toasted nut quality coming out with the bier I'm sippin' on. Floral spicy yeast base, with dark roasted malts slightly creamy acidity almost yogurt like. Especially tasty dark beer, hybrid Belgian American dark ale, with even flowing carbonation and a medium bodied ale that I really enjoy. Overall impressive offering, that is tasty and satisfying for the beer drinker's palate.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 06:23:27 | More by WVbeergeek

chinchill

South Carolina

4.3/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark, murky brown color with a tan head.

S: nicely balanced array of roasted grain, dark fruits, baked bread, vague spices and caramel.

T: Plenty of dark fruit mid-taste and in the aftertaste, with a kick of dark chocolate in the finish. A trace of light smoke.

M: superb -- full body and very creamy.

O: exceptionally enjoyable and better than expected, even from a premier American producer of Belgian style beers.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2012 23:35:55 | More by chinchill

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Very nice shades of brown in the glass the head was stout and firm.

The taste was nicely diverse with sweet malts, prune, date, dried grape/raisin, and a sugary candy mix.

The taste is in line with scent as raisin and sweet dried fruits dominate. There is a black licorice note at the end and a sugary sweetness. Very easy on the palate with pleasant sweetness. This Belgian Strong is a very good example of the sort.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 00:25:21 | More by KYGunner

Greywulfken

New York

4.23/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: looks like a stout but not quite pitch black, huge head which persisted throughout the drink; left lots of lace

S: mild aroma of light roasted malts and vague hops and yeast

T: initially slightly bitter, burnt roasted malt and brighter notes of hops and yeast; distant anise and espresso, sweetness on the back end... as it warmed, licorice flavors became much stronger, and it also sweetened

M: lighter on the tongue than it looks; carbonation adds crispness; tiny bit of astringency on the roof of my mouth

O: balanced and complex - somewhere between an imperial stout, a strong Belgian ale, and a black ale; I imagine this beer will acquire more mellowness and sweetness with age

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2012 00:31:29 | More by Greywulfken

ckk527

South Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.25

Last 32 ounces of a keg into growler of same volume. Served in a chalice.

Appearance: Deep brown, almost black. Thin head just forming a brief film. Spotty lacing.

Aroma: Initial hint of a well fermented Christmas pudding. Dark fruits soaked in alcohol, with a subtle sweetness softened by a malty quality. Subtle cinnamon or allspice notes add interest and warmth. Very appealing.

Taste: Supported by the aroma; no surprises here. Reminiscent of a raisiny bread pudding or figgie pudding - but without the Devonshire cream weighing everything down. Pleasant, balanced. Raisins, plums, hint of molasses cookie and alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Medium, really. Surprisingly silky, followed by alcohol warmth. Quite lovely.

Overall: An interesting and very good example of the style. Pleased to have picked this up. Another quality statement from BO.

Serving type: growler

01-13-2013 02:18:09 | More by ckk527

carlton012

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I love Ommegang almost anything, and will try every brew of theirs, this was a great brew. I love it because it had those same flavors of my Ommegang brew (abbey ale), but those flavors were very mild; the rest of the beer is big and bold. I love the appearance because it looks like a slightly watered down cup of black coffee with a lot of head on it. Plus, who doesn't like a liberal beer? Bravo!

Serving type: bottle

04-03-2012 03:13:43 | More by carlton012

ksimons

New York

4.16/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A-dark chestnut with a bit of ruby highlights and two fingers worth of rocky head that sticks to the glass

S-dark fruits, dark bread malt, cocoa, and light roasted notes which develops more as the beer warms

T-lots of sweet dark fruits, dark malt, cocoa, peppery, a bit of roastedness as the beer warms, and light yeast flavor

M-medium body, light to medium carbonation, and peppery finish

Overall this is a pretty decent BSDA, nothing too amazing but for the price I got it at I would definitely have it again

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 23:19:20 | More by ksimons

Brant

4.15/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

BLUF: A very well balanced dark ale, great for dessert or cold winter nights. A subtle and tasty mix of dark fruits and sweet malty alcohol.

A - Right out of the bottle it's a nice chocolaty brown with a hint of deep amber. In the glass it looks black. Nice head that fades a little too fast.

S - Sweet, hints of raisins and figs, mildly alcoholic scent.

T - Incredibly well-balanced. No one flavor stands out, but there's chocolate, raisins or figs, malt, and a slight alcohol tang (that by no means detracts from the experience!). Very nice.

M - Medium bodied, creamy but not overly so. Was not as heavy or syrupy as I expected it to be.

O - I bought two bottles of this because they both stated "Limited Addition" on the label. Glad I did! I'll drink one myself and save the other to share with my family over Christmas, and will certainly grab more if I see it. It has a very well balanced taste, nothing overwhelming, everything working in concert to yield a fantastic, warming ale.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 22:21:22 | More by Brant

kylehay2004

Florida

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: two finger thick tan head with nice lacing on a dark brown with little light getting through body.

S: lots of dark fruit, mostly cherry, plum and raisin. 

T: a lot more malty than others in the genre. The fruitiness is mild. Caramel and mild toffee notes to the finish.

M: medium body and moderate carbonation. Dry finish.

Overall: malt heavy beer for the genre. Glad I tried this one, nice and unique

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2012 23:36:03 | More by kylehay2004

Arborescence

Finland

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Pitch black, one finger dense head.

Aroma: Belgian style malt and yeast, quite fresh.

Taste: Herbs and malt with a Belgian style body. Alcohol reasonably masked but resent. Lingering aftertaste with medicinal characteristics. Rather pleasant and warming.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, medium bodied, a little bit of carbonation.

Overall: Not as balanced as it could be, but very tasty. I like the medicinal characteristics in particular. Somewhat different than other Ommegang beers, but not in a bad way!

Serving type: on-tap

05-12-2012 03:33:58 | More by Arborescence

SLeffler27

New York

4.13/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours dark chocolate brown with clear ruby highlights. A thick, beige head reaches a dense, creamy three inches with golden flashes. The head is long lasting while dispersing a complex web of lace on an Ommegang tulip glass.

Opens with aromas similar to cherry cordial and a molasses background. Some notes of light pine and yeast open with warmth.

The flavor profile generally follows the nose while adding light coffee and cognac. Warmth brings out a roasted character with earthy fruits such as fig. Tartness is slightly off style but is well balanced against bitterness and sweetness. The complex progression with warmth is consistently followed with a long, chocolate finish.

This is a full-bodied, satin-textured beer with fine effervescent carbonation and lightly warming alcohol.

Well-suited for sipping while reading on a cold, wet autumn day. This is an interesting rendition of the style.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 12:28:49 | More by SLeffler27