Art Of Darkness - Brewery Ommegang

wvsabbath

West Virginia

4.03/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Serving Type - 22oz caged and corked bottle.

Appearance - Dark brown/black, killer creamy 3+ inch head and tons of lacing.

Smell - Dark candy fruits, malts, yeast, lots of cherry, lemon, some chocolate and brown sugars, some wheat aroma and a little spice kick at the end.

Taste - Huge sour fruit bite at first sip. Plum, rasin, grapefruit, grapes and dark roasted chocolate malts hit you. Yeasty sweetness, belgian spicey notes, lots of spices and sugars. The finish has some coffee and nut flavor. Alcohol is there but not as present as a near 9% beer would expect.

Mouthfeel - Medium thickness and pretty strong presence of flavors. Tougne gets the fruits and yeast, were the palate gets more malts and spices. Finish is a bit sour and dry.

Overall - Pretty tasty and enjoyable. Kind of like a strong ale mixed with a porter. It takes a few drinks to get into this one for sure. Not something to drink weekly but for sure another quailty beer from ommegang. Price is steap but its worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 22:30:59 | More by wvsabbath

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

Darkmagus82

Montana

3.9/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 2 | overall: 4

Served on tap in a snifter

Appearance – The beer was dark brown nearly black with a one finger off white/tan head. The head had a moderate retention but eventually faded to give a good level of lacing.

Smell – The aromas were quite nice. A nose of dark chocolate and dark fruits of cherry, fig and raisin were the strongest. There was a good yeasty and roasted aroma which created a very nice balance to the sweeter fruit aromas.

Taste – The taste was very much of what was sensed in the nose. It began with a roasted malt, brown bread and more cocoa taste. Quickly however the fruit notes that were detected in the smell worked their way into the taste with them being largely of fig and raisin. A very light yeast taste was also present, but was largely overshadowed by the cocoa, roasty, and sweet fruit base. These flavors took the taste to the end where the fruit tastes lightened up a bit and where a lighter alcohol flavor came to the picture; the mix leaving a warming tingle and a roasty chocolate dark fruit bread flavor on the tongue.

Mouthfeel – While the more mild carbonation level was very fitting for the beer, the body of the beer was disappointingly thin. It was quite watery ad really never allowed all those darker flavors to penetrate the tongue.

Overall - Other than the weak body this was a rather tasty beer. Good flavor profiles and transitions created a very nice taste experience.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 19:19:04 | More by Darkmagus82

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

Phelps

Arizona

3.93/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed in a tasting snifter at Tops.

Deep black, yet thin-looking and watery, wit a small layer of fizzy light tan head.

Lots of fruit in the nose. Bubble gum, strawberry, raisin. Spicy yeast lends pepper and a pinch of banana-flavored runts. A little anise and toast in the background.

The flavor starts with same fruitiness of strawberries and dates. Alcohol is added to a nice blend of maple and toast, while the swallow brings another flash of tangy prunes. Maybe a little heavy on alcohol, but a good BSDA flavor overall.

Feels thicker than it looks, with a smooth medium body. Carbonation is a little too high, prickling the tongue. There’s more alcohol in the flavor than in the feel, though I do get some heartburn.

Gets better and better as it warms. Nice complexity, with many layers of flavor for perusal. 4

Serving type: on-tap

05-31-2012 05:37:52 | More by Phelps

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

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

3.85/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Darkness incarnate in color, with crimson highlights shining through the bottom, under a lush, creamy cocoa-toned head. Lookin' good.

Aroma: soft, with notes of cocoa and cream, balanced and understated.

Taste: on the tongue, rich, full, dark and smooth. Lightly spicy, just enough wicked deliciousness from the yeast. A little bit of peppery heat. Lots of lush dark malts, but nothing too big, too sweet, too anything. This is Goldilocks' favorite beer, just right.
Some dark fruits, some fig and date, but completely utterly even, balanced, and dry. The nearly 9% alcohol doesn't stand out in the least.

Tasty stuff, this, but I so wish the yeast would contribute a bit more to the character. I want to really taste it.
But this one really does come close to impersonating a great Belgian strong dark ale. Kudos, Ommegang!

Serving type: on-tap

05-22-2012 04:55:50 | More by feloniousmonk

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

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

Poured into a tulip.

A: Transparent black with red highlights. 3 fingers of fluffy tan head that dissipates slowly leaving behind big clouds of lacing.

N: Belgian funk, lightly roasted malts, concord grape, cherry and a dash of chocolate.

T: Concord grape, molasses and an earthy Belgian funk are upfront. This is followed by cherry, cocoa nib, chestnuts and hints of apricot mid-palate. The earthy funk comes in full swing in the finish along with dry hay, dark roast coffee beans and fig.

M: Light bodied, silky, smooth and slightly sticky.

O: A refined and delicate Belgian Dark Strong Ale filled with dark fruits and a generous heaping of funk. Very easy drinking at 8.9%.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 13:36:03 | More by justintcoons

wedge

North Carolina

3.63/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

@ Raleigh Times

Served in a small tulip, appears to be a very dark, opaque brown color with a fluffy tan head that leaves plenty of lovely lace. Dark fruit, roast, and Belgian yeast featured predominantly in the aroma...raisin, fig, dark bread, and spice. Stronger phenolics and dark fruity esters in the flavor. Cherry, bitter chocolate roast, and light licorice. Medium bodied, but the carbonation leaves it feeling lighter than it is. A little warming.

Pretty good. I've had a lot better from this brewery and this is nowhere near the finest examples of the style...but pretty good. I wish it was tamer with the phenolics and little more cohesive with all its tasty little elements.

Serving type: on-tap

05-15-2012 18:05:31 | More by wedge

martyl1000

Wisconsin

3.98/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I'm scoring this on the low side just to remind myself this wasn't my favorite from Ommegang and if I have the choice, I will take Three Philosophers or Abbey Ale or Rare Vos any day before this one.

But it wasn't bad in any way. On tap at Cooper's Tavern, tail end of Madison Craft Beer Week. Was great to get to try all these Ommegang beers on tap.

This one poured an opaque black, w/ a thin-ish white head that stuck around a long time. Roasty aroma and flavor of a really thick porter. The mouth feel of a chewy stout. Rather disappointingly low in sweetness and fairly one-dimensional. Easy to drink, that's for sure. But I was expecting more.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2012 07:18:57 | More by martyl1000

DavoleBomb

Ohio

2.88/5  rDev -27.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

Poured into a goblet.

4.0 A: Black color. Almost two fingers of frothy tan colored head. Retention is good and a short ring of lacing is left.

3.5 S: Lots of roastiness in this. Molasses, light ashiness, and dark caramel. Even the fruitiness comes off with a bit of extra darkness, like stir-fried or grilled plums, dates, black currants and figs. Clove-y phenols from the yeast.

2.5 T: Taste is a bit of the let down. The roasty flavors in the nose dominate the taste and it doesn't work. From first taste to finish, this is overly charred and has an almost tannic finish. It's not a horrible taste, but it's bad enough to put this below average. Much of the fruitiness gets lost to the roast, but the fig and dates are still pretty apparent. Less clove-y than it smells.

3.5 M: Lighter medium body. Good spritzy carbonation with a very faint creaminess. Normally I'd rank this higher, but the burnt aftertaste prevents that.

2.5 D: This is more of a Belgian stout than a BSDA, but whatever. It's overly roasty and unbalanced and that's no good. I expect more from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 02:12:28 | More by DavoleBomb

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

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

CopeTech

California

3.23/5  rDev -18.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

This is a pretty beer,it has nice fine head and delicate lacing. Surprisingly uninspired for an ommegang strong dark. The aroma is faint and slightly sour. Perhaps guinesslike with a belgium yeast.
The taste holds true to a belgium dark, but fades quickly leaving you to wonder where are the monk's subtiltiesand depth.
The color is more of starbucksthan of a quad.
I expect a mature strong beer to take advantage of the full yeast lifecycle not hide from it.

Serving type: on-tap

05-07-2012 01:31:23 | More by CopeTech

BeerLover99

New Jersey

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

A: deep, black/brown body, finger khaki head,

S: fig, raisin, nutty, caramel, mild chocolate, big malt

T: big malt, raisins, cocoa, mild roasted, mild fig/boozy finish

M: med body, mild chewy/smooth mouth

O: Ommegang continues to deliver fine brews.
I would get again + recommend to others.
Pairing: nice piece of beef, lamb, bbq or dessert.

VERY GOOD, WORTH GETTING!

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 17:19:05 | More by BeerLover99

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.45/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle, allowed to warm some before being poured into my petite Duvel tulip.

Art of Darkness pours a solid black, with three plus fingers of light tan colored foam. Head retention is pretty good, and lacing is on the spotty side. The nose is very nice, with lots of plum, raisin, and fig. There's a little bit of roasty grains and clove-like phenols present in the background. The roast and phenols come way to the foreground in the flavor profile. That combination, present in that intensity, ends up coming off as a bit harsh/astringent. Sweet-ish dark fruits are still present, but somewhat drowned out by the other aspects of the flavor profile. The body has just a touch too much heft, but it's paired with a very active, expressive carbonation. Art of Darkness seemed promising at first, but just missed the mark for being a great take on a Belgian Strong Dark Ale. It's the latest in what's been a string of very "meh" beers for me from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

05-06-2012 02:41:53 | More by axeman9182

Jaycase

Illinois

3.6/5  rDev -9.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

a: deep, dark brown - doesn't seem quite black. thick, creamy light mocha colored head.

s: caramel, molasses. yeast. plums, prunes, raisins. slight bit of booze

t: malts, sweetness at the beginning. yeast flavor settles in midway. dark fruit not as present as in the aroma.

m: light and creamy. med high carbonation.

o: decent offering from Ommegang. one of those which I'm glad I tried but not likely to seek out again. thought the aroma was better than the taste. worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 03:44:12 | More by Jaycase

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.65/5  rDev -7.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours mahogany with 2 fingers of tan head. Average head retention & lacing

S: Dark fruit, plums & raisins, some phenolic notes

T: Plums & figs with phenolic twang & some boozeyness up front, a bit of dark chocolate too. Green apple skin as this warms, a bit of figs & carob, along with black currants as this warms & more dark chocolate. Finishes dry & boozey with more apple skin, figs & carob

MF: Medium bodied, firm carbonation Booze warmth & dryness throughout this sampling

An alright Belgian Dark, perhaps too young to sample. To me this bottle looks to be a year or 2 from optimum. The last few beers from Ommegang haven't really wowed me. Pretty good, not great

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 03:01:48 | More by russpowell

david18

New York

3.68/5  rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had a few twelve ounce drafts of this at the Amsterdam Ale House on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Overall a good beer and a very good example of the style.

Appearance was very dark with a very dark head that left quite a bit of lacing.

Aroma was all about the dark fruit. A little bit of malt but mostly raisons and prunes.

Flavor as well. Raisins, prunes along with some alcohol heat that complemented the beer well.

Very good beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-03-2012 19:11:20 | More by david18

BlurryVisi0n

New York

4.05/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Served in a snifter.

Appearance: The name says it all darkness, pitch black with a darker tan head. Head rises without trying hard it rises to roughly two fingers length.

Smell: Rich yeast, slight hops and light barley. Very potent.

Taste: Like the scent the yeast comes off very strong. The alcohol is pretty evident, honestly taste is somewhere between 4 and a 4.5 but hard to pinpoint.

Mouth: Great texture, and even better after taste..body is medium carbonation coming off full.

Overall: Superb, and a blessing to have the "darkness". Rich beer and worth every penny. Definitely need to treat yourself, Salud!

Serving type: bottle

05-03-2012 01:15:22 | More by BlurryVisi0n

Infamous7100

Ohio

4.08/5  rDev +3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours a dark mahogany with some orange tints around the edges.
S: dark fruits, mainly plums, figs and raisin. Smells great.
T: very complex. The immense malt is balanced by the dark fruits present in the aroma. Sweet, but balanced by the warming booze toward the back.
M: some high carbonation and full bodied. A nice, boozy sweet hang for the aftertaste.
O: do yourself a favor and pick the up. Very complex, tasty and improves as it warms. All kinds of different nuances come through in time. Well done by Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 23:19:13 | More by Infamous7100

One2Remeber

Florida

3.8/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Poured into a pint glass.

A: Thick, ultra creamy khaki head. Deep, dark brown body. Looks like a India Black Ale. Head stays around for a short couple minutes but leaves coating the glass with a sticky film.

S: Dark mild fruits (prunes), dry spicy yeast, hints of toffee.

T: Candy (red licorice) with an intense soapy/shampoo finish. Spicy yeast combines with a grainy, heavy malt taste for a crazy taste bud experience.

M: Mild carbonation, fizzes for a bit before leaving a sticky, syrup feel.

O: Does not blow palate away in flavor, yet is quite enjoyable. Going out on a limb and comparing it to a Scottish Ale with Belgian yeast.

Serving type: on-tap

05-01-2012 02:01:28 | More by One2Remeber

ummswimmin

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I ran across this great find in a local wine store that doesn't do well in their beer purchases. You get about 25 options (outside of 20 different packages of BMC). I'm not going to complain. I'll just enjoy this very well made Belgian Strong Dark.

The foam on this beer is very fluffy and sticky on the pour. The resulting lacing is really nice on the glass.

I like the smell on this glass. You really breathe in the caramel and rich flavor.

Overall, this was a very well made beer. If you run across a bottle, then I recommend picking this up.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 22:44:52 | More by ummswimmin

kencarman

Tennessee

3.3/5  rDev -16.7%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

This is an unimpressive beer from a VERY impressive brewery. Dark as Hell, tons of head that doesn't want to stop: off white. Plenty of malt with some sweetness and a hint of sour, and Brett. No hops except bitter as warms. Malt indistinguishable, but no Brown, no Patent. All pils? But where did the dark come from? Nothing all that interesting, IMO. Mouthfeel heavy with malt. Aroma really tough to get much at all. Hops: after warms bitter asserts a tad, but nothing to get excited about.

Ommegang can, and get, done better. Buy Ommegang, the breweries namesake beer, if you want anything like this.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 00:38:15 | More by kencarman

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