Abbey Ale
Brewery Ommegang

I love the authenticity of Ommegang ales. They are as authentic/classic as it gets. I'm not sure how many yeast strains they use in their lineup, but they seem to really pull off yeast-centric beers that showcase all of the typical spice an fruitiness of an authentic Belgian strain, without an overly heavy handed usage of specialty malts like many American breweries tend to do. Their spicing is subtle and complimentary as well, which shows their knowledge and expertise in a major way. Had to review their flagship beer as it is a classic in my mind too.

L: Pour is extremely carbonated! glad to see this, it works and is very appropriate for the style. I recommend a wide mouth glass and a slow pour. Color is deep brown/burgundy with reddish highlight and off white fluffy head. clarity is decent but not completely transparent. Little to no yeast sediment.

S: Nice estery-spice combo. aroma of sweet malts and estery yeast character is present. A bit of booze is there too.

T: Extremly flavorful and wonderfully balanced on the palate. There is plenty of dark fruit, estery sweetness, a bit of caramel malt character that is not overwhelming, and spice too. Very complex and and changes as it warms. you can easily quaff this but it is great to sip on and ponder.

F: light, medium body. the high carbonation helps with the smoothness and drinkability.

O: I really don't know of many better "dubbels" out there, American or Belgian. It is rare that I can say this outdoes many Belgian examples. This would be a good one to lay down for verticles, but it is great fresh. Well done Ommegang!

World class dubbel made right in the USA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours a muddy copper with just over a finger of head. The nose is mildly funky and malty with a touch of raisin essence. The flavor follows the nose with a long dry finish.

There is not quite enough malty sweetness to make this great, so I'll just say that it is pretty good.

 

Why did it take so long for me to try Ommegang's cherry double.
a) Cherry, mahogany pour to form.
s) Up there with Chimay, Duval and co.
t) More cherry, more sweet, heart wood, shellac, cedar, spice, woodshop.
f) Never cloying, sweet but cleans up nicely, lovely, lively tongue feel.
o) Outstanding and next to Belgians

Solid copper appearance with a large tan head and good lacing. Malty aroma serves as a backdrop for an array of dark, ripe fruit. Complex taste rolling out notes of ripe fruit, licorice, seasonal spices and caramel. Alcohol a bit more noticeable in the aftertaste. Medium-to-full bodied, moderately carbonated mouthfeel leading to a dry, spicy finish.

 

 

I love Belgian style beer and like golden monkey, Abbey Ale delivers

Color is ruby, with a great head upon the pour. I smelled figs and currant. The taste very much the same.

Had Neon Rainbows from the same producer and have learned if they do one great most are great. There a few exceptions

Historic, many occasions. SO good, malty, yeasty, maple sweetness, like pure maple. Dark stone fruits, cherry. Delish!

Sampled bottle, RBNAG 2007 in Grimstad. ABV was 8.5%. Beautiful copper to ruby colour, decent head. Intense oaky, malty and vinous aroma and flavour. Good beer.

 

 

A malty and complex dark beer.
Tons of spice and malty smell. Color is deep amber. Has a big head with creamy bubbles.
Might be too heavy for a dubble but it is really good. I feel like this one beats Three Philosophers in complexity, smell and taste.
My favorite from Ommegang so far.

 

Pours golden brown. Over a finger of head. Dark fruit to the nose. Some bitterness upfront that goes away for a very good finish.

 

I don't usually review this sort of thing because I drink out of the bottle but because it is an imitation of a Belgian Dubbel it foamed up and would have had a huge head... a lot like me but I'm not a Belgian knock off. I have to slurp up the foam to keep it from overflowing like champagne and like champagne the foam wash fruity and light.

Initially it smells like a white or blush whine but then a bit of malt comes through.

The taste is like other trappist beers I've had. It's extremely fruity with just a little malt and then some bitterness. Like some kind of sparkling wine/beer mix.

It's very foamy and smooth with a ton of soft carbonation. It's finish is lasting fruit and bitterness.

Overall it's much like a few other Belgian Trappist dubbels, trippels and quads I've had. It's the best of those though. I would give it a 4.7 out of 6 as a beer but for the style it would get a 5.7.

This is the one that got me on my Belgian Beer quest - so it always met with preconceived expectations - C'est la Vie....Classic Belgian style Dubbel with Ommegang's twist (yeast strain)...go to local brewery, to me...

 

 

 

12 oz bottle .
Tulip glass .

Pours 1.5 fingers off white/tan ,soapy head, dissipates quickly, leaving slight lace around glass ,
Color is ruby red .

Smell is- fruity-cherry-currents,with earthy hop and hint of clove .

Taste- strong notes of pepper-corriander hint of orange zest, malt and cherry .

Finish is -creamy, medium carbonation with a nice spicy finish on the tongue.

Overall very tasty for a high ABV beer- no alcohol bite to speak of-love the peppery bite and hints of stone fruit. I'll definitely look for this one again.

Two thumbs up to the brewers!

 

Pours deep garnet with an ample tan head with ample lacing and carbonation. Aroma and taste is that of dried fruits and brown sugar. Finish is dry and smooth. Not as sweet as some of the Belgians that I have tried recently, but this is very good and in the conversation with those great brews. An outstanding beer from Ommegang and reasonably priced!

Dry, malty, and really dry. Not a beer I will look for.

 

 

 

 

Exceptional quality of flavors and textures in this beer. This is Ommegang doing what it does best - really solid, perfectly crafted, mostly traditional style Belgian ales. This beer is warm and inviting while also being vibrant with ripe dark fruit flavors. The maltiness is smooth and the flavors linger. Delicious. yb

L: 12oz bottle into a tall, straight-sided glass. Three fingers of dense light-brown foam atop a clear ruby-brown body. Strong retention but only light lacing. Very nice.

S: Good balance of bready malt (pumpernickel?) and fruit. Complex fruitiness, with hints of cherry, red grape, and plum. Some distant peppery spice. Restrained and interesting.

T: Follows the nose, but with more intensity: sweet malt up front, with rich fruit and spice toward the back end. Grape, fig, and some nice nuttiness as well. Dry, yeasty finish with just a bit of warming alcohol. Delicious and nuanced.

F: Medium-bodied and hugely effervescent. Suits the style.

O: Delicious beer, and by far the most authentically Belgian-tasting American version of the style I've ever tried. I'd take this over Chimay Red 10 times out of 10. If it has a flaw, it's that it's a bit boozy for the style, but that's to be expected with its 8.2% ABV. Beer of Fame tick 177/250. Cheers!