Type: Beer – Dubbel Ale/Belgian Ale
Name: Ommegang Abbey Ale
Price: $6.99 – 1 pt.
Made: Cooperstown, NY
Alc/Vol: 8.5%

I seem to have found another corked beer, and again this one is a good one. Maybe those who cork their beer give a little more into it to produce a better quality beverage? So what does this beer have to say for itself?

“Is a Belgian-style abbey dubbel yielding a rich, fruity, and aromatic, Burgundian brew…

Ommegang abbey dubbel is inspired by the centuries-old brewing traditions of Belgian Trappist monks. Named after Belgium’s oldest medieval fest, every bottle of Ommegang is cause for celebration.”

A celebration indeed, for a beer is worth a cheer in most if not all occasions. At least, that is for me and this one certainly brought along a whole party. The flavors were rich and complex, mixed with cinnamon and spice. The beer poured a deep chestnut color, so much so that I held it up to the light just to see if I could see through it…and I couldn’t.

The nose wouldn’t give away the complexity of this drink, there is something there but not in a sense of cheap spice casually tossed on top. Once you take a sip of this beer the first reaction is wow. It is different and not something I can easily compare it to however I can say that their inspired Trappist beer did not falter in quality and complexity.

“Brewery Ommegang is 3,264 miles from Brussels, but its heart is right in Belgium. It was created out of our devotion to the unique ales brewed by the county where brewing is an art and partaking is a passion.”

As a beer with 8.5% alc/vol you would expect a bit of that to come through in the taste, but instead you taste the rich malts, deep fruits and I don’t know why but I was getting a coffee-ish like taste. It wasn’t coffee or toffee, a rich oatmeal – deep creamy texture of a taste that I just can’t name. Due to the complexity it is hard to pick out all the characteristics. However there is a hint of sweetness masked in the complexity of this beer before the rich aftertaste comes through. It has a thick mouth feel with a lingering aftertaste and semi-dry finish.

And remember “the most profound joy has more of gravity than gaity in it” -montaigne

Overall this was a wonderful beer, however 1 pint of this beer had me feeling the alcohol. It is a deep rich creamy beer with a sweetness to it that is not something I can see myself sipping on all night, let alone on a hot summer day. This is something I can see myself enjoying as I sit next to a fire, or out camping at night. I give this beer 4 1/2 bananas out of 5. It is an amazing beer, which coming from the Duval family of ales that shouldn’t be a surprise.

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