Scythe & Sickle - Brewery Ommegang

JGam115

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

On tap, served in a pint glass so the aromas weren't exactly jumping from the glass. Notes from my Untappd history.

A: Nice orange and amber hues

S: unmistakable Belgian nose. Not too different from other Ommegang brews.

T: Banana and citrus notes up-front with a crisp, clean finish. Very nice.

M: Not overpowering, but not fleeting.

O: This is an ideal brew for the fall season. Will definitely seek this out when it's re-released

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 13:25:42 | More by JGam115

bnes09

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev +4.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Orange, semi-hazy, some rising bubbles, ivory colored head with great retention and lacing.

Aroma of apple cider, nutmeg, rye and Belgian yeast.

Has a dry and sweet apple cider character in the flavor. Lots of spices, ginger, rye and nutmeg. Subtle pine hop adds a mild bitterness. Fruity esters

Moderate body with plenty of carbonation. Slick feel, chewy in the middle and with a tart, semi-dry finish.

This may be the first time I've sampled this style. Solid brew. A fresh addition to the harvest ale collection. Similar to some other styles but different enough to be its own. Will be sampling more of this style for sure.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 05:56:23 | More by bnes09

ZethOfTheNorth

Louisiana

3.81/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

12 oz bottle into a tulip. $2.70 for the single.

A: Opaque, ruby-colored body with an enormous frothy head. Quite stunning.

S: Bready and grainy with maybe a touch of sweet fruit. Grapes? Slightly floral, but more beery than French versions of the style.

T: Distinctive sweet yeast mingling with baked bread. Sweet and savory. Perfumey late taste that ends abruptly.

M: Relatively full for the style. Nicely carbonated.

O: I was really hot on this the first few times I had it, but that's evolved into more of a casual friendship. This isn't Ommegang's worst 12 oz single, but it's in my bottom few.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2013 12:49:00 | More by ZethOfTheNorth

aasher

Indiana

4.16/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This one pours a medium bodied and very smooth cloudy amber in color with a two finger, bright white and creamy two finger head. The nose is soft with nice spicing, moderate dark fruit, some malty sweetness, and Belgian yeast. It kind of smells like a smaller, spicier Dubbel. The flavors are spicy and fruit forward upfront, with a lot of fig and date influence. Ot almost has an old fashioned cola like flavor as well. There is a slight yeast character but it isn't as dominant as in some of the other Ommegang beers, which probably serves this one best. It drinks medium in body and off dry. It has nice flavor and is a standout for a Biere de Garde in my opinion. At 5.8% this is a Belgian ale capable of drinking a few of. Overall this is a fine Biere de Garde and a very nice interpretation of the style with unique spicing. If you're a fan of dubbels this would be right up your alley.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:35:29 | More by aasher

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in a globe glass)
A- The clear deep orange body has a thick creamy light tan head and a relaxed microcarbonation to it.

S- The fresh malt has some lightly toasted oat notes and some earthy malt hints followed by some dubbel or dark sherry notes in the finish.

T- The earthy grain has some lightly toasted malt notes followed by the classic Ommegang yeast profile. There is a nice cola note in the finish with a herbal green dry hop finish. The dubble yeast flavor and dark candy notes come thru as the beer opens up.

M- The medium mouthfeel has a gentle carbonation and no alcohol heat noticed.

O- This beer has a nice toasted malt and earthy grain flavor with great “cellar” character. Making is a bit mysterious, yet complex and sessionable at the same time.

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 15:20:15 | More by rhoadsrage

MadCat

New Jersey

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

Appearance: A nice opaque amber color, with a thick tan head that leaves good lacing

Smell: Floral hops, spicy rye notes.

Taste: Bready, earthy malts. Floral hops. Spicy rye notes on the finish. Has that distinct Ommegang yeast profile.

Mouthfeel: Medium body, full smooth carbonation. Very creamy.

Overall: A very good brew, very enjoyable. Gladly will buy again. Has that classic Ommegang essence.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 01:22:04 | More by MadCat

Profchaos20

Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle poured into a nonic pint glass.

A - Pours a slightly cloudy amber/copper color. Has a two finger off white head. Shrinks to a thin whit cap that hangs on until the end and leaves nice lacing.

S - Light flowery/herbal hops, sweet, caramel malts and bread. Fruity yeasty spicyness.

T - Sweet malty breadiness, light hoppyness similar to the aroma. A pretty pronounced fruity and spicy yeast character. Finishes sweet.

M - Light to medium body, light carbonation. Smooth easy drinker.

O - Pretty tasty enjoyable beer but nothing particularly stands out about it. That being said I would definitely have another.

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 02:59:45 | More by Profchaos20

BedetheVenerable

Missouri

4.01/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Presentation: 12oz brown pop top with nice (I, for one, enjoy the new artwork) label. Bottled July 2012, best by July 2014. Poured into a Waterford Marquis oversized wine glass.

Appearance: This is the rich color of hardened amber, with lots of ultra-fine sediment in suspension. A beautiful, glossy, and creamy eggshell head sticks around a long time and leaves some thick, patchy lace. Overall, quite a nice looking beer.

Smell: Earthy, sweetly malty, slightly spicy, with an ever-so-slight funky, fruity edge. Perhaps just a kiss of herbal, grassy hops on the finish? Overall, nice.

Taste: With sweet candy and toasted malt notes up front, this is sweet but at the same time, well-attenuated and it ends dry. There's a spicy, slightly sharp graininess, likely from the inclusion of rye flakes. Lightly earthy malts, with a firm, clean bitterness and just a hint of cellar. Toasty and grainy, malty, medium-bitter, and fairly light in terms of esters.

Mouthfeel: Light side of medium-bodied.

Overall: A nice, slightly different, take on the Biere de Garde style. I'd say this is worth the $9.99 a 4-pk it costs, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves over the next year or so.

88 = B+

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 03:39:39 | More by BedetheVenerable

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pleasant satisfying brew. A small retained head. Above average mouthfeel. Good drinkability, a meal in itself. Moderately yeasty. Very good for the style, reminds me of some Three Floyds creations. Satisfying. Slight edgy tartness. Suitably carbonated. Dry finish.

Serving type: bottle

02-12-2013 00:18:50 | More by northyorksammy

homebrew311

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into tulip glass. Appearance is a dark gold with nice clarity. 2 fingers of pillowy white head upon pour with dissipates to a thin layer that sticks around nicely. Heavy lacing left behind. The nose starts with bread and yeast quality with some Belgian farmhouse quality. Candied lemon and light acidic notes come through. Taste is bright and fruity with floral esters, lemon, orange, and sugar. Towards the end there is a slight tartness with a somewhat bready finish. Mouthfeel is medium with high carbonation. Decent offering of the style, plenty of clean flavors.

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2013 07:18:47 | More by homebrew311

falloutsnow

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

From: Binny's, Champaign, IL
Date: None on bottle (released in fall, 2012)
Glass: New Belgium globe

Scythe & Sickle is an excellent autumnal Belgian ale that features well-blended Belgian yeast characters with its diverse grains and European hops. I drank the beer effortlessly, and enjoyed each moment of doing so. A solid offering from Ommegang that works well in the fall, but is tasty enough to enjoy in any season.

Pours a generous 2.1cm tall head of slightly off-white, small bubbles which make up a fairly dense-looking foam. Head retention is above average, lasting about two minutes as it declines to a thin cap atop the body of the beer. The lacing it leaves is quite good, rune-like etchings and patterns coat the inner walls of the glass. The beer's body is a reddish-orange-brown color, perhaps copper with stronger red tint. Light brings out brighter orange tones. Carbonation is easily visible and quite vigorous through the slightly hazy body.

Aroma is of Belgian yeast (slight funk), mashed grains (primariy oats and corn), with modest bubblegum and phenolics (clove, "spice"). The scent definitely makes itself known and I can see how this fits in quite well with an autumnal atmosphere and feeling.

The flavors are well-mixed between the yeast, grains, phenolic byproducts and slight spiciness from hop usage. Front of palate picks up Belgian yeast with slight wet hay, wet mashed grains, phenolics and bubblegum. Mid-palate finds mashed grains; a bit of spicy pepperiness; Belgian yeast with wet, moldy hay; slightly medicine-cabinet like. Back of palate discovers slight tartness, continued wet grains, a bit of coconut (don't ask me how...), Belgian yeast with hay characters, and modest phenolics. Aftertaste is similar to very yeasty bread dough, with mild bitterness and phenolics.

Beer is medium to medium-light in body, with carbonation of medium-high intensity, creating a fizzy, crisp beer that foams up somewhat on the palate, remaining crisp, but developing a smoother mouthfeel as the duration of the sip increases. Closes semi-dry, with very little stickiness remaining on the palate.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 01:45:32 | More by falloutsnow

sommersb

Tennessee

3.94/5  rDev +1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Tasted On: 02-02-2013
Freshness: Not indicated
Packaging: 12 oz. brown bottle, pry-cap
Glassware: Ommegang cervoise glass
Purchased: Single from Whole Foods, Nashville

Clear amber/golden color in the pour, with a massive white head showing both excellent lacing and retention. Aromas have spiciness of rye malt, fruit sweetness, herbal hops and the spiced smells of Belgian yeast.

The taste starts with spices and is then followed by some caramel malts. The herbal hops add a moderate amount of bittering. Overall a fairly dry beer. Medium-bodied, with a high carbonation level. Finishes dry, with aftertastes of spice and light bitterness.

All in all, a solid lighter-ABV Belgian ale. Another quality brew from Ommegang.

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 05:03:22 | More by sommersb

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Picked up a single from EuroMarket for about $3. It's poured orange-amber with little floaties and a long-lasting white head. The beer is surprisingly dry and bitter, but I guess that's appropriate. There's a big spicy, peppery finish with orange peel and light caramel up front. The aroma is fruitier with a little pear and apricot over doughy grain and toast. It is an earthy, herbal Belgian, and it really needs to warm to cellar temp for the edgier notes to balance out. It's certainly interesting, but I might not want to go through an entire 6-pack. Still, glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 23:26:17 | More by tempest

clayrock81

Virginia

3.84/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Poured a clearish gold with reddish tints with a solid head and lace combo. Earthy, piney, wet resiny hops are prevalent and so is the rye malt. Bready as well, getting very little sweetness and wheaty, yeast tones but they're in there. Light to medium bodied, with a mix taste of the rye that gives it a fuller body and that bready edge as well, along with some fluffy yeast and floral hops as well as mild sweetness. Easy passing beer that hits all the notes and is a great beer to session as well.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 22:22:37 | More by clayrock81

Beaver13

Colorado

2.73/5  rDev -29.5%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

12 oz bottle. Pours hazy orange amber with a monstrous rocky white head that retains well and laces the glass.

The aroma is subdued - grainy malts and a little fruit with some floral perfumey hops.

The flavor is sweet grainy malts, a little fruit and a little rye with a medium bitter finish. The mouthfeel is medium to full bodied with smooth carbonation.

Overall, it's a decent amber but a bit uninteresting and pricey at $11 per 4 pack.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 00:31:10 | More by Beaver13

ummswimmin

New Jersey

3.53/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I poured this beer into my tulip glass. I immediately got a ton of foam (over four fingers). The coloring on this beer is a hazy, dark orange.

Off the top I smell pilsner and harvest presence. There is a lot of lager flavors in the nose.

The flavor is very malty. There is also a decent amount of spices. The balance is a little off, where the bitterness is more present than expected.

This is a decent beer. I wouldn't go out of my way for this beer, but if it is on tap or on a menu I would try it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 20:57:04 | More by ummswimmin

Gavage

New Jersey

3.95/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: pours a orange-amber color with a 2" head that really lasts a long time. Thick lace paints the glass.

Smell: caramel and some light fruit sweetness rise from the glass.

Taste: bread, caramel, a bit of spicy rye, golden apples, yeast, and a moderate bitterness are the main flavors.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer. Crisp at the start, less crisp and a touch of dryness arrives at the finish. Long lasting aftertaste here.

Overall: this a hearty ale that has just enough spiciness that makes it interesting. Easy to quaff. Definitely a different style for a harvest ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 18:45:39 | More by Gavage

teromous

Virginia

3.1/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Copper color with an enormous white head. Loads of carbonation, and crazy good lacing. Tons of carbonation bubbles visible through the slightly hazy body.

S: I don't smell much of anything. I get a hint of what smells like old flowers in a vase, but that's unfortunately all there is.

T: Very mellow malt characters and a slightly earthy hop character. The malt comes across a bit like rustic bread. I get some Belgian yeast character, which probably stands out the most in this beer. I could be wrong, but that's what it tastes like to me.

M: Mouthfeel is medium to light, with very light bitterness and some very light astringency (emphasize "very light" because it is noticeable but not strong). Feels very wet but not filling.

O: Overall I thought this was a pretty good beer. It would make a good session beer, but it's not something I would go out of my way to buy. I felt it could have used more flavor from the grain and less from the yeast. It seems like the rye is a bit unpronounced, the oats don't come through in the body, and the wheat doesn't seem to contribute much (maybe the head?).
.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 22:21:36 | More by teromous

RoninTK3

Rhode Island

3.83/5  rDev -1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - A nice golden/orange hazy color with a thin layer of head that leaves some lacing behind.

S - Very nice, probably the best quality of the beer. Sweet fruits like peaches, apples, and pears. A bit citrusy.

T - Wheat, grains, dark fruits. Sweet with a hint of bitterness. Not incredible, but this is a very drinkable beer.

M - Medium body with a lot of carbonation and a flavor that doesn't linger for long.

O - This is a very nice beer. I'm not always a fan of the style, but I like this quite a bit. For the price I'd easily pick this up again and recommend it to others.

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 18:13:08 | More by RoninTK3

kylehay2004

Florida

4.33/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: two finger foamy head with lacing on a cloudy copper with golden hues body.

S: both dark and citrus fruits, yeast mustiness, champagne, caramel malts.

T: spicy, red apple, caramel, champagne, breads, citrus and banana, yeast. The earthy flavors and hops round this one off in the finish.

M: medium body and high carbonation with a dry finish.

Overall: Nice fruity and spicy brew. I was surprised I was able to get the earthiness out of this one which is well pronounced in the finish. Complex and dynamic, a must try.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 01:31:02 | More by kylehay2004

SLeffler27

New York

4.15/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A white, long lasting froth fills the top of the oversized wine glass before leaving patchy lacing over a dark amber to coppery-hazed honey beer.

Opens with earthiness and pepper, followed by old leather, banana, celery and light citrus.

Flavor is a light combination of bitterness and tartness that overall makes for a nice, earthy profile.

The body is medium to full with soft prickly carbonation and a silky texture.

This is a cozy beer, suitable for cuddling on a cool night by the fire. The autumn season is captured in this bottle.

Serving type: bottle

12-28-2012 12:14:22 | More by SLeffler27

tastybeer

North Carolina

3.78/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very attractive pour... Glowey deep orange color with a bountiful foamy head. Good retention + nice clumpy lace. Aroma is crisp malt and fruit. Apples, honey-like, fresh grains, and floral notes. Very pleasant sniffing. Flavors are good as well. Refreshing, fruity, lightly phenolic, and plenty of fresh toasty cracker malts. Body is a solid medium. Good carbonation prickle combined with a dry and ever-so-slightly gritty texture make for a delightful mouthfeel. I enjoy this.

Serving type: bottle

12-25-2012 18:44:33 | More by tastybeer

wedge

North Carolina

3.8/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clear amber-gold with a lovely, thick, frothy head that drops to a lovely, lumpy topping. Soft, doughy malt and flowery hops, mild toasted caramel, and earthiness in the aroma. Dry, earthy, malty, almost nutty flavor...apple, spicy phenols, citrus peel, and light herbal characteristics. Medium-plus bodied, drying, and crisp. Pretty nice, as usual, from Ommegang...

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 23:21:46 | More by wedge

tone77

Pennsylvania

4.23/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a brown 12 oz. bottle. Has a cloudy dark golden color with a 1 inch head. Smell is sweet, malty, some fruits. Taste is delicious. Fruits, spice, mats, loaded with flavor, complex and refreshing. Feels full bodied in the mouth and overall is a high quality beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-21-2012 01:28:34 | More by tone77

MRsojourner

Massachusetts

3.5/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

aroma is of the pilsner type like corn bread and strong caramel. beautiful amber copper color appearance with great clarity and no yeast to be seen in the bottle.
The caramel flavor is what hits at first followed by rich bready notes that finishes with a touch of pepper and spice although its muted fairly quickly leaving just a touch of residual pepper behind. it closes dry and leaves you wanting some more.
I appreciate the use of rye in this but I wish the yeast and rye were a bit louder. it's almost to clean for my liking but obviously its and very well made beer just a bit lackluster imo

Serving type: bottle

12-20-2012 21:30:16 | More by MRsojourner