Ommegang Adoration Ale | Brewery Ommegang
Brewed by:
Brewery Ommegang
New York, United States | website
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 10.00%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Ommegang Adoration, brewed in the authentic style of Belgian winter, or noel beer, is dark, malty and assertively spiced.
Adoration is best sipped before a roaring fire. It would also be a tasty accompaniment to dark roasts and wild game. Even at 10% abv, the beer is well balanced and not at all hot or fiery. The dark malts give it lush, malty flavors, including coriander, orange peel, mace, cardamom and grains of paradise. Hopping is modest, as befits such a beer.
Added by akorsak on 08-04-2009
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 365 | Ratings: 1,124
Reviews by Soonami:
4/5 rDev -2%
Soonami, Nov 19, 2011
More User Reviews:
4.15/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From BeerAdvocate Magazine #83 (Dec 2013):
Adoration screams winter, a huge beer to take on but is welcoming from start to finish. Spicing and alcohol are very well balanced against the massive malt backbone. Sip after sip brings us right back to Belgium, a must have by all.
STYLE: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV: 10.0%
AVAILABILITY: Winter Seasonal
LOOK: Opaque dark brown, nice show of head & lacing
SMELL: Christmas pudding; boozy, malt sweetness, orange pith, ginger, allspice, candied fruit, cake batter
TASTE: Thick body, creamy, semi-slick, smooth carbonation, massive maltiness, warming, broth, caramel, cardamom, orange peel, mace, yeast cake, brown bread, carob powder, drying finish
★ 697 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From BeerAdvocate Magazine #83 (Dec 2013):
Adoration screams winter, a huge beer to take on but is welcoming from start to finish. Spicing and alcohol are very well balanced against the massive malt backbone. Sip after sip brings us right back to Belgium, a must have by all.
STYLE: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV: 10.0%
AVAILABILITY: Winter Seasonal
LOOK: Opaque dark brown, nice show of head & lacing
SMELL: Christmas pudding; boozy, malt sweetness, orange pith, ginger, allspice, candied fruit, cake batter
TASTE: Thick body, creamy, semi-slick, smooth carbonation, massive maltiness, warming, broth, caramel, cardamom, orange peel, mace, yeast cake, brown bread, carob powder, drying finish
★ 697 characters
4.96/5 rDev +21.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
12 ounce bottle, poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Pours a gorgeous, deep, dark, mahogany color, with three fingers of off-white head that was specked with orange highlights. The head quickly dissolved away into a thin lacing of foam that completely covered the top of the beer.
Aroma: Tons of spice! Coriander, ginger, orange-peel, cardamom, Belgian yeast, malt. A little musty, but in that funky Belgian yeast/barnyard way.
Taste: Awesome!! Strong notes of Belgian yeast and spice, such as coriander, orange-peel, ginger, all-spice, followed by malt and more malt. Delicious!
Mouthfeel: Chewy, but with some great carbonation! With an ABV of 10%, there is definitely a presence of alcohol on the palate, imparting a nice, pleasant alcohol warmth in the mouth.
Overall: Goddamn, this is an excellent beer! I love the spices and the yeast! It’s absolutely delicious! I’m getting this beer every year it’s released!
★ 941 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
12 ounce bottle, poured into a pint glass
Appearance: Pours a gorgeous, deep, dark, mahogany color, with three fingers of off-white head that was specked with orange highlights. The head quickly dissolved away into a thin lacing of foam that completely covered the top of the beer.
Aroma: Tons of spice! Coriander, ginger, orange-peel, cardamom, Belgian yeast, malt. A little musty, but in that funky Belgian yeast/barnyard way.
Taste: Awesome!! Strong notes of Belgian yeast and spice, such as coriander, orange-peel, ginger, all-spice, followed by malt and more malt. Delicious!
Mouthfeel: Chewy, but with some great carbonation! With an ABV of 10%, there is definitely a presence of alcohol on the palate, imparting a nice, pleasant alcohol warmth in the mouth.
Overall: Goddamn, this is an excellent beer! I love the spices and the yeast! It’s absolutely delicious! I’m getting this beer every year it’s released!
★ 941 characters
2.74/5 rDev -32.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
75 cL bottle poured in to an Ommegang flute
It pours a murky burn orange color with a 2 finger head that quickly dies down
I'm picking up a lot of burnt sugar/brown sugar, Belgian yeast and a little bit of orange peel. It isn't very exciting but not too offensive.
The first thing I taste are the classic dark ripe fruits of a BSDA. Then this citrus flavor comes in and starts to clash with it. The spices used in the brewing process are once again clashing with the spice flavors from the yeast. To top it off the 10% alcohol is present on the backside and a bit too much. This is kind of a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. It is a bit of a hot mess.
This carbonation actually does a decent job of scrubbing the taste out after the sip which in this case is a good thing. The alcohol presence is hurting drinkability though. I've had many other 10% BDSA that drink much better.
I like the concept of a Belgian winter warmer but the execution came off with just to many things going on. There are clashing flavors all over the place and it leaves me dissatisfied and that is a first by a beer from this usually amazing brewery.
★ 1,138 characters
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
75 cL bottle poured in to an Ommegang flute
It pours a murky burn orange color with a 2 finger head that quickly dies down
I'm picking up a lot of burnt sugar/brown sugar, Belgian yeast and a little bit of orange peel. It isn't very exciting but not too offensive.
The first thing I taste are the classic dark ripe fruits of a BSDA. Then this citrus flavor comes in and starts to clash with it. The spices used in the brewing process are once again clashing with the spice flavors from the yeast. To top it off the 10% alcohol is present on the backside and a bit too much. This is kind of a case of too many cooks in the kitchen. It is a bit of a hot mess.
This carbonation actually does a decent job of scrubbing the taste out after the sip which in this case is a good thing. The alcohol presence is hurting drinkability though. I've had many other 10% BDSA that drink much better.
I like the concept of a Belgian winter warmer but the execution came off with just to many things going on. There are clashing flavors all over the place and it leaves me dissatisfied and that is a first by a beer from this usually amazing brewery.
★ 1,138 characters
3.84/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served on tap as a 10 oz pour at Tyler's Taproom in Apex, NC.
Arrived at the table in goblet style glass. Light brown or dark amber in color with lots of active carbonation creating a lively head of at least 2 fingers or so. Lacing was also good, pretty much going down the glass. Looks fantastic.
Aromas were a little bit of a surprise in that there really wasn't anything particularly interesting to report. There were some of the typical Belgian notes that you might expect from Ommegang - the dark fruit smell and the slight hint of banana. Nothing overpowering and nothing more than, well, average.
The brew redeems itself well upon tasting it. There is a beautiful complexity that doesn't break up as you roll it over your tongue. There are the malts with dark fruit, some caramel malts, and a nice warming sense as it goes down. Some hints of vanilla linger on the finish. Nice.
Mouthfeel is relatively carbonated and bubbly but the bubbles are rather fine and seem to go well with the brew. Overall I very much enjoyed this brew and really need to find it somewhere to take home.
★ 1,091 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Served on tap as a 10 oz pour at Tyler's Taproom in Apex, NC.
Arrived at the table in goblet style glass. Light brown or dark amber in color with lots of active carbonation creating a lively head of at least 2 fingers or so. Lacing was also good, pretty much going down the glass. Looks fantastic.
Aromas were a little bit of a surprise in that there really wasn't anything particularly interesting to report. There were some of the typical Belgian notes that you might expect from Ommegang - the dark fruit smell and the slight hint of banana. Nothing overpowering and nothing more than, well, average.
The brew redeems itself well upon tasting it. There is a beautiful complexity that doesn't break up as you roll it over your tongue. There are the malts with dark fruit, some caramel malts, and a nice warming sense as it goes down. Some hints of vanilla linger on the finish. Nice.
Mouthfeel is relatively carbonated and bubbly but the bubbles are rather fine and seem to go well with the brew. Overall I very much enjoyed this brew and really need to find it somewhere to take home.
★ 1,091 characters
4.62/5 rDev +13.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Pours medium translucent (almost transparent) carmel. Not much head, though lacing is solid.
Bready, malty, yummy. Light candi sugar, booze. Swirl kicks up a good amount of carb which is nice to see. Definitely Belgian.
Wow. What the heck is that. Bready, something, carmel malty, spice, and then something else at the end. There are 2 flavors in there I cant place. Something in the begining and the finish is beyond me. My only guess for the finish is Brandy. Maybe some special barreling or cubes.
ABV is powering, not over powering huge difference. Lets face it, this is a 10% brew, alcohol is expected. I love the balance for a winter brew and this is exactly what I want when it gets cold.
Outstanding. When winter comes, this is exactly what I want. Im going to go and raid the store and sock some away for a few more winters.
★ 837 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Pours medium translucent (almost transparent) carmel. Not much head, though lacing is solid.
Bready, malty, yummy. Light candi sugar, booze. Swirl kicks up a good amount of carb which is nice to see. Definitely Belgian.
Wow. What the heck is that. Bready, something, carmel malty, spice, and then something else at the end. There are 2 flavors in there I cant place. Something in the begining and the finish is beyond me. My only guess for the finish is Brandy. Maybe some special barreling or cubes.
ABV is powering, not over powering huge difference. Lets face it, this is a 10% brew, alcohol is expected. I love the balance for a winter brew and this is exactly what I want when it gets cold.
Outstanding. When winter comes, this is exactly what I want. Im going to go and raid the store and sock some away for a few more winters.
★ 837 characters
4.5/5 rDev +10.3%
Great rich dark color
Very flavorful spiced complexity
Boozy but not overpowering
Just the right amount of everything
Reminded me of an old fashioned Christmas
★ 159 characters
Great rich dark color
Very flavorful spiced complexity
Boozy but not overpowering
Just the right amount of everything
Reminded me of an old fashioned Christmas
★ 159 characters
4.42/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
In a goblet the beer was a ruby red color with a medium-sized tan head.
Great aroma: spicy and sugary, with some citrus.
Very spicy taste, mostly cinnamon. Some orange, a touch of sweet chocolate, and a tiny bit of herbal hops.
A nice, sweet, sipping beer. The flavors went well together.
Very drinkable; you don't even notice the 10% ABV.
★ 339 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
In a goblet the beer was a ruby red color with a medium-sized tan head.
Great aroma: spicy and sugary, with some citrus.
Very spicy taste, mostly cinnamon. Some orange, a touch of sweet chocolate, and a tiny bit of herbal hops.
A nice, sweet, sipping beer. The flavors went well together.
Very drinkable; you don't even notice the 10% ABV.
★ 339 characters
4.2/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours a clear mahogany with a lot of suspended material and two fingers of off-white head. Head has pretty good retention and leaves some good lacing.
S - Interesting aroma of raspberry/cherry, raisins, a bit of alcohol, coriander, and faint citrus. Also some chocolate and toffee. Very nice.
T - Taste starts with chocolate and toffee, quickly transitioning to dark fruits of raisin and plums covered with coriander and other spices. The raspberry/cherry notes return late in the taste. I don't think this is brewed with those fruits, so must be a similar aroma coming from one of the spices.
M - Mouthfeel is medium and somewhat creamy, with a bit of a dry finish from the spices.
O - I really enjoyed this. Not as heavy as some BSDAs can be, but still substantial. Definitely a cold weather brew. Some unexpected bright notes in the taste that complemented the spices nicely.
★ 886 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Pours a clear mahogany with a lot of suspended material and two fingers of off-white head. Head has pretty good retention and leaves some good lacing.
S - Interesting aroma of raspberry/cherry, raisins, a bit of alcohol, coriander, and faint citrus. Also some chocolate and toffee. Very nice.
T - Taste starts with chocolate and toffee, quickly transitioning to dark fruits of raisin and plums covered with coriander and other spices. The raspberry/cherry notes return late in the taste. I don't think this is brewed with those fruits, so must be a similar aroma coming from one of the spices.
M - Mouthfeel is medium and somewhat creamy, with a bit of a dry finish from the spices.
O - I really enjoyed this. Not as heavy as some BSDAs can be, but still substantial. Definitely a cold weather brew. Some unexpected bright notes in the taste that complemented the spices nicely.
★ 886 characters
3.51/5 rDev -14%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle. Pours a ruby light brown with a medium creamy off white head that retains well and laces the glass a little.
The aroma is sweet caramel and chocolate malts, molasses, some dark fruits and a little spicing.
The flavor is sweet bready malts with some fruits, a little roast and some spices (grains of paradise?) and a dry yeasty light bitter finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with lots of sharp carbonation.
Overall, a nice beer. It's a little on the sweet side, but I liked it and thought the spices worked well. First sips cold are some of the best.
★ 571 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle. Pours a ruby light brown with a medium creamy off white head that retains well and laces the glass a little.
The aroma is sweet caramel and chocolate malts, molasses, some dark fruits and a little spicing.
The flavor is sweet bready malts with some fruits, a little roast and some spices (grains of paradise?) and a dry yeasty light bitter finish. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with lots of sharp carbonation.
Overall, a nice beer. It's a little on the sweet side, but I liked it and thought the spices worked well. First sips cold are some of the best.
★ 571 characters
4.37/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 1pt 9.4oz bottle into an Ommegang goblet. The label reads that it has 10%abv. Printed on the neck of the bottle is the freshness date as well as a packaged on date. The dates read "PKG ON 08/28/09" and "BEST BY 08/2014. This bottle was sampled on 12-28-09.
Appearance: It has a dark reddish tan color body with a hazy complexion. Its head is light tan in color, fades quickly and leaves very little lacing on the glass.
Smell: The aroma is rich and full with a spicy character. It starts with bready maltiness then adds notes of coriander, clove, citrus peel, a touch of yeast and some mellow alcohol.
Taste/Palate: The flavor full of complex spices hops and malt all in a solid medium to full body with lively carbonation. The base has dark dried fruity notes with sweet bready maltiness, yeast and mellow warm alcohol. The spices add the next layer of complexity and dryness with peppery notes, ginger, clove, coriander and citrusy orange peel. Hop flavor is complementary and adds its own spicy notes and more dryness. Hop flavor is most noticeable in the finish which is quit dry and has lingering spice and yeast notes.
Notes: I normally don't like overly spicy Christmas beer but this one works. Overall this one is outstanding. It has many different layers of flavor and is never dominated by just one spice.
★ 1,360 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Presentation: It was poured from a brown 1pt 9.4oz bottle into an Ommegang goblet. The label reads that it has 10%abv. Printed on the neck of the bottle is the freshness date as well as a packaged on date. The dates read "PKG ON 08/28/09" and "BEST BY 08/2014. This bottle was sampled on 12-28-09.
Appearance: It has a dark reddish tan color body with a hazy complexion. Its head is light tan in color, fades quickly and leaves very little lacing on the glass.
Smell: The aroma is rich and full with a spicy character. It starts with bready maltiness then adds notes of coriander, clove, citrus peel, a touch of yeast and some mellow alcohol.
Taste/Palate: The flavor full of complex spices hops and malt all in a solid medium to full body with lively carbonation. The base has dark dried fruity notes with sweet bready maltiness, yeast and mellow warm alcohol. The spices add the next layer of complexity and dryness with peppery notes, ginger, clove, coriander and citrusy orange peel. Hop flavor is complementary and adds its own spicy notes and more dryness. Hop flavor is most noticeable in the finish which is quit dry and has lingering spice and yeast notes.
Notes: I normally don't like overly spicy Christmas beer but this one works. Overall this one is outstanding. It has many different layers of flavor and is never dominated by just one spice.
★ 1,360 characters
4.3/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had a taste or two of this at the recent BA Belgian fest in Boston, glad to see it today at DeCiccos's in Ardlsey, NY. $13.99 for the typical Omme. caged and corked Belgian style bomber. (w/o vintage dating BTW.) Dark brown, cloudy, darker khaki head, huge initially, slowly, slowly turning to a thicker film, collar and then respectable larger blots of lace. Sweet malty nose with hints of rum, raisins, figs, dark ripe fruit. BSDA in feel, tasty and personality. More sweet malt, rum notes, raisins, figs, light smoke, chocolate, thoroughly delicious, w/ 10% nowhere in sight. Complex, tasty and oh so wintery good. High quality sipper. Seek out and enjoy
★ 659 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
I had a taste or two of this at the recent BA Belgian fest in Boston, glad to see it today at DeCiccos's in Ardlsey, NY. $13.99 for the typical Omme. caged and corked Belgian style bomber. (w/o vintage dating BTW.) Dark brown, cloudy, darker khaki head, huge initially, slowly, slowly turning to a thicker film, collar and then respectable larger blots of lace. Sweet malty nose with hints of rum, raisins, figs, dark ripe fruit. BSDA in feel, tasty and personality. More sweet malt, rum notes, raisins, figs, light smoke, chocolate, thoroughly delicious, w/ 10% nowhere in sight. Complex, tasty and oh so wintery good. High quality sipper. Seek out and enjoy
★ 659 characters
4.47/5 rDev +9.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: 1/2 inch head, cloudy, reddish brown in color, moderate carbonation
Smell: spices--cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and some dark fruit
Taste: spices--cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and some dark fruit with toasted malt
Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, sweet, and smooth
Drinkability: This is an excellent winter beer. The mix of spices is delicious. I want this again, but for the price I may not rush out to get it.
★ 422 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: 1/2 inch head, cloudy, reddish brown in color, moderate carbonation
Smell: spices--cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and some dark fruit
Taste: spices--cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and some dark fruit with toasted malt
Mouthfeel: moderate carbonation, sweet, and smooth
Drinkability: This is an excellent winter beer. The mix of spices is delicious. I want this again, but for the price I may not rush out to get it.
★ 422 characters
4/5 rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a deep red color with a cream-colored head. The aroma is heavy on the toffee and caramel malt, along with some Belgian yeast, brown sugar and cinnamon. The flavor is heavier on the spicing than the aroma. I get cinnamon and cloves, as well as some brown sugar, caramel malt, yeast, dark cherries and a little bit of alcohol. Still, the alcohol is fairly well hidden for a 10 percent ABV beer. Medium mouthfeel and high carbonation.
★ 446 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
The beer pours a deep red color with a cream-colored head. The aroma is heavy on the toffee and caramel malt, along with some Belgian yeast, brown sugar and cinnamon. The flavor is heavier on the spicing than the aroma. I get cinnamon and cloves, as well as some brown sugar, caramel malt, yeast, dark cherries and a little bit of alcohol. Still, the alcohol is fairly well hidden for a 10 percent ABV beer. Medium mouthfeel and high carbonation.
★ 446 characters
4.11/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Looks great when poured small amber head
Smells rather potent with malts and heavy alcohol slightly caramel note
Taste is almost identical to the smell very noticeable alcohol after taste
Feel is smooth at the front but has a bit of a bite on the finish
★ 255 characters
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Looks great when poured small amber head
Smells rather potent with malts and heavy alcohol slightly caramel note
Taste is almost identical to the smell very noticeable alcohol after taste
Feel is smooth at the front but has a bit of a bite on the finish
★ 255 characters
Ommegang Adoration Ale from Brewery Ommegang
4.08
out of 5
based on 1,124 ratings.