Biere D'Hougoumont - Brewery Ommegang

rlee1390

Indiana

3.73/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A-Cloudy amber, one finger head with some carbonation.

S-Maple, oak, vanilla, grass wheat, but the maple is overpowering.

T-Very sweet maple and oak dominate with slight vanilla. Tad bit of spice and grass. Some mollasses as well.

M-Light to medium bodied, not much carbonation.

O-At the end of the day too much maple. If it was toned down a little bit, the balance would be great and the beer would improve a lot.

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2012 16:22:48 | More by rlee1390

TMoney2591

Illinois

4/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served in a tulip glass at SmallBar - Division.

Not every day you come across a beer named in honor of a farmstead near Waterloo that happened to have a potentially overly-decisive effect on the battle itself. This stuff pours a clear tawny-auburn topped by a finger of light khaki foam. The nose comprises stark barley, very mild rum, light maple syrup, very light earthy greens, and biscuit. A vague sense of spice hangs in there, but meekly compared to everything surrounding it. The taste brings in more of the same, along with a soft touch of oak and a slightly heightened sense of spiciness (though this is still far from pronounced). The body is a lithe medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fairly smooth feel. Overall, a very nice BdG, actually kind of surprisingly easy to drink and enjoy. Despite the usually hefty price tag, get some!

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2012 15:07:19 | More by TMoney2591

MatthewWilde

Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Sample: 1 bottle 2012

A: Pours a medium off-white head that slowly dissolves, dark orange in color, moderate internal carbonation, slightly cloudy

S: Complex nose, sugar cane, slight caramel mixed with a definite yeast notes, sweet and fruity, moderately fragrant overall

T: Starts fruity and yeasty, elements of apple crisp and caramel, finishes rather empty, however, with mild sweetness and some alcohol

M: Very smooth, light in the mouth, not lingering or overpowering, mild fruity/yeasty aftertaste, moderate alcohol

O: True to the style, but leaves something to be desired, nice bouquet and look, but just alright

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 01:24:26 | More by MatthewWilde

XicanoBeerRun

Texas

4.43/5  rDev +15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reddish orange with heavy carbonation.

Smells like candied orange, vanilla, rum punch.

Tastes, caramel, maple coated nuts, oaky, dried dark fruits, malty tootsie roll, hoppy bitterness. Great balance of flavors.

Clean finish.

I wonder what it does with age?

I'll have another.

Serving type: bottle

10-15-2012 15:57:51 | More by XicanoBeerRun

TexIndy

Texas

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 750ml corked and caged bottle into a pint glass. Really like the new Ommegang labels - cool graphics along with brewery and beer stories plus serving temp on the label. Also on the neck was the packaged on date (5/29/12) and best by date (5/2015). Kudos!! It was rich amber color with good carb streams and a good sized white head. Mild, slow sliding lace with none sticking.

The aroma was malt heavy with caramel and biscuit leading the way. Also, good doses of oak, light yeast and banana. Not as spicy as some recent Biere de Gardes I've had but still good. The taste follows the aroma but there is an increased sweetness to go along with the other elements. The oak and maple taste really good but the overall sweetness is a little high for my tastes. The mouthfeel was light and a little watery. Also needed some more carbonation as it was a little flat tasting.

Overall, a good Biere de Garde that nicely highlights the wood elements but is a bit too sweet for me. Do recommend though. Available here in TX. Rotation - liked it but one bottle was enough.

Serving type: bottle

09-28-2012 01:40:45 | More by TexIndy

keepersj12

New Jersey

4.23/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours copper with a red tint. The aroma malty sweet with a hint of sourness, caramel and some wood, a bit of cherries. The flavor has a fruity taste up front with a bit of sour and pepper at the end. The finish is quite dry and refreshing. Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 20:58:43 | More by keepersj12

allouez86

Minnesota

4.03/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into my Duvel Tulip.
It's safe to say that this isn't a style that I frequent all that often but I may after trying this beer.
Pours a nice amber color with about a two inch off-white head. Has great head retention.
Smell is slightly sweet and yeasty, what I would expect from a bier de garde.

Taste follows up the smell. Sweet malts and yeast with some very nice earthy undertones. A little bit of caramel creeps into the aftertaste.

Has a slightly thicker mouthfeel to it, coats the entire mouth well and has rather large carbonation to it.

Overall I thought this was a good representation of the style and would think twice to picking up another bottle or two to throw in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 23:30:31 | More by allouez86

Hopdaemon39

Massachusetts

4.15/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Had on tap at whole foods in a pint glass unfortunately, pours a slightly hazy golden amber color with barely any head, decent retention and no lacing. I get the feeling that if this has been served in a tulip it might have developed a nicer head.

Smel is yeasty and malty- there's some caramel in there and a little funk in addition to the earthy yeast quality.

Taste is consistent but more fleshed out- some hops are thrown into the mix, a fuller malt body, nice yeasty notes, finishes sweet.

Mouthfeel is good- medium body, light to moderate carbonation, a little sticky sweet. Pretty good but not necessarily worth the price (get it at happy hour for 5).

Serving type: on-tap

09-16-2012 21:25:20 | More by Hopdaemon39

Mora2000

Texas

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The beer pours an amber-brown color with a white head. The aroma is full of biscuit and bready malt, with some grapes and yeast notes thrown in. I also get a hint of oak. The flavor is full of caramel and toffee, as well as some grape and light fruit notes. There is a bit of oak but it is fairly subtle. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

09-16-2012 04:19:25 | More by Mora2000

ngeunit1

California

4.33/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Pours a fairly clear golden-orange with a finger of frothy white head. The head fades down at a normal pace leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is a mix of sweet caramel and bready malts with some tart pear and other green fruits, Belgian yeast, banana, some spice, maple, and oak.

T - Starts off with a mix of sweet caramel and grainy malts with some tart pear and green apple, and some light spices. Through the middle, some maple and oak comes through with some sweet bready malts, Belgian yeast and some more spices. The finish is a mix of sweet grainy and caramel malts with some tart fruits, banana, Belgian yeast, some farmhouse flavors, maple, and oak.

M - Medium-plus bodied with moderate-plus carbonation. Feels smooth with a sweet, tart, and estery finish.

D - Very drinkable. Great Biere de Garde with good complexity from the oak and maple and great overall balance.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 06:30:25 | More by ngeunit1

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.38/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had to drink a beer from New York on 11 September. OK, so this is from Cooperstown, but it's from the state. Strong, fruity aroma is mainly apple with hints of pear and banana, as well as some malty and honey tones. Pours a clear coppery with a fluffy pale wheat head. Lip-smacking fruity flavor is slightly sweet but not cloying, with hints of caramel, malt and - horehound? Smooth, full texture has plenty of fizz.

I toast the memory of all who perished on September 11, 2001. If any of you loved beer, may your spirits now be where there is lots and lots of good beer - and you get to drink all you like!

Serving type: bottle

09-12-2012 02:08:43 | More by Cyberkedi

JRed

New Jersey

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thick murky reddish copper in body with dissipating white head. Aroma is sweet, apple skins, apple spice. Flavors of apple skins, malt sweetness, alcohol prominent, some horse blanket. Medium bodied with light carbonation. Beautifully sweet, refreshing.

Serving type: bottle

09-09-2012 05:02:40 | More by JRed

champ103

Texas

4.23/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Flying Saucer in Houston, TX

A: Pours a brilliant and vibrant burnt orange/red color. A one finger white head forms with good retention. There is a small cap that sticks throughout and light lace. I love the color here.
S: Up front is some stone fruits. Fleshy cherries, plums, and peaches. Next comes some Earthy, slightly musky yeast. Slightly sweet vanilla and wood aromas. Excellent.
T: Follows the nose with stone fruits and musky and Earthy yeast. Caramel and vanilla sweetness, maybe just a bit to much sweetness. Though still very enjoyable.
M/D: A medium body and carbonation. Very crisp and smooth at the same time. Though I would have liked this to be a bit dryer. So easy to drink. All day with this one.

A very small quibble of mine is that this finishes just a bit to sweet. I wish there was a bit more dry bite here, but otherwise a great example of the style. I hope I can find a few bottles of this soon.

Serving type: on-tap

09-07-2012 01:39:31 | More by champ103

pkalix

California

4.08/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Burnt orange, as someone else described it, seems fitting. I was really looking for nice way of describing it. It really is a beautiful color. I didn’t get the head everybody else is describing (well, maybe a little on the 2nd pour), and no lacing whatsoever. nothing really discernible on the smell but there is certainly some taste in it. A tiny bit tart with some malted fruity flavors and a little bit of alcohol taste. The alcohol wasn’t tasted so much in the first pour of this 750ml, but it is definitely more pronounced in the 2nd pour. I really like this taste although I will admit it could (possibly) use a tiny bit more of the hops.
This brew feels ‘creamy’ and has medium body. It lacks some carbonation but doesn’t suffer from it. Overall, I really enjoyed this and very much like the malt-to-hop ratio of taste in this. It’s labeled as a 7.3% (my butt), or maybe I’ve just not got anything in my stomach because I’m feeling this brew very nicely already…… I could easily do a couple (or more) of these brews before calling it a night.

Serving type: bottle

09-07-2012 00:20:51 | More by pkalix

yamar68

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Terrible lighting in here so I can't comment on the color of the beer but it does have a healthy head that seems to lace quite well.

On the nose - toasted grains, maple wood, juicy cherry, wheat and yeast, touch of red grape, nice smelling stuff I think.

Some smooth slightly sweet caramel comes through on the tongue, mellow wood qualities, bright fruit, a bit muddled though. What is there is tasty, but it struggles to maintain a sense of balance.

I'd certainly recommend this to anyone. Another delicious beer from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

09-06-2012 02:28:47 | More by yamar68

axeman9182

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -13%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

750 mL bottle, received in Amanti Vino's Beer of the Month program for August. It was poured into my Duvel tulip.

Biere D'Hougoumont pours a burnt orange, with a few lighter orange highlights and a little bit of clarity through the glass. Four fingers or so of bone colored foam rise up and crown the beer. Head retention is decent, but there's not much lacing left behind at all. The nose has some maple and straight oak notes, as well as the aroma of toasted bread. There's also a very subtle background peppery phenol character. It's all a bit muted though. The flavor has most of those same elements, but it's all somewhat muddled. The toasted, almost biscuity maltiness leads things off nicely and it's followed by a little bit of oak. The finish though suggests at spiciness and maple, but neither end up standing out at all or making an impression in any way. The body has a nice subtle sturdiness to it, while still being on the lighter side. I find the carbonation to be just slightly wanting though, wishing it was a little more lively. Biere D'Hougoumont is an alright Biere de Garde, but "alright" seems to be how I'd some up most of the more recent releases from Brewery Ommegang, and I know they're capable of so much more.

Serving type: bottle

09-04-2012 03:26:48 | More by axeman9182

impending

California

3.98/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

B+

750ml into a tulip. Pours a slightly hazed deep amber, white head retains nicely, ok lacing.

Aroma is yeasty honey apple pear, mild solvent. Twigs

Taste starts a slick diluted caramel. Little bitter nor dry of any measure. Stops just shy of tart, you feel it wants to. Wood requires deep inspection, not particularly obvious but nice once in perspective. Tiny herbal note in the finish. Thin to medium bodied mouthfeel. Warms well. Pairs well with delicate food.
cheers
jd

Serving type: bottle

09-03-2012 23:13:53 | More by impending

VelvetExtract

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -26.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

A-Dark orange. Not a glower. Head is a solid finger of tan creamy fluff. Leaves lacing and looks good napping atop the body.

S-Plenty going on. Yeasty but very sweet. Oaky, but not aggressive. Smells like they lubed the beer in honey before they oaked it. Very malty. Maple syrup.

T-The nose was a cool lithe artsy collage, but the flavor is far too sweet. The aging on the wooden staves is this beers only high-point. Aside from that its a cloying mixture of maple syrup, yeast and honey. Just too sweet. The flavor does morph on the palate, but I don't like the flavors.

M-Syrupy. Not enough bubbles. Sticky. Makes you chew the air to relieve the stickiness.

O/D-Not my thang. Sorry Ommegang. Sounded pretty cool, but when I am paying $11 for a 12 oz. glass (admittedly not Ommegang's fault for the tap pricing) the beer better be a banger. Shoulda known, shoulda known.

Serving type: on-tap

09-02-2012 03:13:16 | More by VelvetExtract

merc7186

New York

3.9/5  rDev +1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I had this beer poured from a bomber into a pint glass.

A: Amber Hue, Passes Some Light, Off White Head Ring, Decent Lacing

S: Yeast, Grainy, Malty, Earthy

T: Oakey, Grainy Malts, Mild Maple, Mild Sweet Malts

M: Decent Carbonation, Medium Bodied, Mildly Malty, Mildly Mildly Grainy

Overall, a nice yeast beer but missed on the barrel flavoring, good enough and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 23:35:01 | More by merc7186

JayQue

Virginia

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

Poured into a wine glass from a corked and caged 750 ml bottle. Medium sized delicately bubbly white head that fades quickly, nice hazy dull gold/orangy color. Minimal lacing.

Smell is mild bready malts. Pleasant but nothing spectacular. Taste is mild as well, bready malts, some slight sweetness (the maple?) and, as the beer warms, the oak barrel flavor kicks in.

Mouthfeel is crisp and light. No hint of the alcohol, goes down smoothe,

THis beer is ok, hardly worth the price thought. I guss this style is a bit subtle for my tastes. I like more robust flavor.

Serving type: bottle

09-01-2012 13:24:05 | More by JayQue

StonedTrippin

Colorado

3.95/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

it pours a radiant brassy golden color with an excited but rapidly fading white lace head. smells intoxicatingly of fresh maple and an unfamiliar but intriguing yeast. definitely smells sweeter on the malts, and woody. flavor is more mellow than the nose, with an intersting maple flavor coming through first. thats a nice touch i think, and its followed by a sweet breakfast bun malt profile and a bourbon finish, including the booze burn. it opens a little more as it warms, but these are the flavors. mouthfeel is nice, very bubbly at first but that settles a lot in a few minutes. its medium bodied and a little sugary on the teeth. i found this to be a most unique brew, very enjoyable with a firm goats cheese before dinner.

Serving type: bottle

08-28-2012 01:27:30 | More by StonedTrippin

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a hazy orange-ish to yellow color with a light tan head. In the aroma, a biscuit like maltiness. In the taste, sweet biscuit like malt, with notes of fruit, kind of like oaky strawberries. A small bite and a medium to lighter bodied mouthfeel, and a dry biscuity malt in the aftertaste. Nice malt, and nice tastes of fruit are pleasant.

Serving type: bottle

08-23-2012 16:30:58 | More by OWSLEY069

mactrail

California

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Here it is, my big Ommegang chalice. Pours a lovely rusty amber color with lots of foam. Pleasantly creamy in the mouth. Rich and full bodied.

I keep thinking of peach brandy. It has a distinct fruity, aromatic flavor, like apricots. A little tart and bitter, like the aftertaste of blackberries and chewing on the seeds. Malty with some sweet graininess. There is that distinctive yeasty rasp that seems to permeate every beer they make. Not unpleasant, but it's an eye-opening splash of flavor, and it dominates the aftertaste. I"m wanting a chaser of Aprihop or Ruthless Rye to cut the fruity funk.

From the 750 ml Belgian-style bottle bought at Krisp in San Diego.

Serving type: bottle

08-21-2012 05:58:50 | More by mactrail

rhoadsrage

Illinois

3.48/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Served in a tulip glass

A- This beer pours a slightly hazy caramel colored body with a thick beige sticky head and some strands of microbubbles gliding to the surface.

S- The fresh rain and yeasty aroma blend with a slightly nutty plastic note that is not offensive. There is a wet wood and nougat note that comes through in the finish. As it opens there is a maple and fusel hint in the finish.

T- The dry malt and fresh grain flavor has a slight pungent papery hop note in the finish. There is a soft maple wood hint that seems a bit odd but remains soft.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a creamy fizz and no alcohol heat

O- This beer is underwhelming and a bit bland. The soft hints of wood character are a bit odd and I don't taste any of the classic Biere de gaurde flavors. Maybe age will help a bit.

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2012 14:04:06 | More by rhoadsrage

BlurryVisi0n

New York

3.68/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in an over-sized tulip glass.

Appearance: Amber with slight haze all over the body. Bubbles are light with an off-white head that rose to maybe a finger's length.

Smell: Yeast meets hops, appetizing .

Taste This beer with out a doubt malty, good but not outstanding.

Mouth: Medium to heavy, easily one of the smoothest. Texture isn't so bubbly and the after tastes does dissipate a little.

Overall: Ommegang makes incredible beers and this will not disappoint, I really liked it a lot but there is better out there especially when you factor how much your spending a bottle. Salud!

Serving type: bottle

08-19-2012 05:37:04 | More by BlurryVisi0n