After one letdown after another, I’m finished sampling the beers of “Belgian-style” American brewer OMMEGANG. I’ve yet to drink a single beer of theirs I’d want to have again, and at this point I’ve had Ommegang, Hennepin, Three Philosophers and the newest bummer, OMMEGANG CHOCOLATE INDULGENCE. This came out around the holidays late last year to a good deal of hype, but honestly I can’t remember if I read any reviews from people raving about it, but somehow I must’ve, because I normally won’t pop $10+ for a bomber of beer unless it’s something pretty special. Hey, a beer with “real” Belgian chocolate – that might be kind of good, hunh? Yeah, except when it’s not. CHOCOLATE INDULGENCE is a heavy-malt beverage, and the Belgian chocolate that I’d hoped would be pretty intense ended up tasting like a sprinkling of cocoa powder, not even enough to satisfy the most chocolate-starved chocofile. The beer has a bitter, almost lager-like quality to it, and rather than the rich, creamy stout experience I was jonesing for, it was pretty much a “big whoop” all around. I saved my calories for another time and poured the final third of this bottle down the drain. Ouch. 4.5/10.
Friday, June 20, 2008
I’M FINISHED WITH OMMEGANG
After one letdown after another, I’m finished sampling the beers of “Belgian-style” American brewer OMMEGANG. I’ve yet to drink a single beer of theirs I’d want to have again, and at this point I’ve had Ommegang, Hennepin, Three Philosophers and the newest bummer, OMMEGANG CHOCOLATE INDULGENCE. This came out around the holidays late last year to a good deal of hype, but honestly I can’t remember if I read any reviews from people raving about it, but somehow I must’ve, because I normally won’t pop $10+ for a bomber of beer unless it’s something pretty special. Hey, a beer with “real” Belgian chocolate – that might be kind of good, hunh? Yeah, except when it’s not. CHOCOLATE INDULGENCE is a heavy-malt beverage, and the Belgian chocolate that I’d hoped would be pretty intense ended up tasting like a sprinkling of cocoa powder, not even enough to satisfy the most chocolate-starved chocofile. The beer has a bitter, almost lager-like quality to it, and rather than the rich, creamy stout experience I was jonesing for, it was pretty much a “big whoop” all around. I saved my calories for another time and poured the final third of this bottle down the drain. Ouch. 4.5/10.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
Jay, see if you can find some Rare Vos on draft. Ommegangs have been pretty hit or miss for me, I didn't like the Rare Vos much my first bottle, but on draft it was delicious. I think Hennipen is pretty solid, but i'm kinda meh on 3 Phils.
Also, I've got a bottle of Ommeggeddon that I'm aging for another year or so- we'll see how that turns out.
Being a New Yorker, it pains me to mostly agree with your comments on Ommegang. They have one or two beers I don't mind drinking but overall, I'm left disappointed. Ommeggeddon is probably the beer I was most disappointed by as it was the one I was most looking forward to. Oh well. Their fest in August should be killer, though.
I hear ya on giving up on a label. After drinking my second round of Lost Abbey Red Barn, I have given up on them. I have also tried Avant Garde, Devotion, Lost and Found, and Judgment Day. Not one has been worth the hype. Red Barn had been my favorite, but after a second bottle, it is time to give them up. Just not that good. I will instead throw my money to the the Port side.
This is why we drink them. To find out what we like and don't like. I for one love Ommegang brews while I'm not much of a fan of Gordon Biersch stuff.
Hennepin and Three Philosophers are both excellent to my taste buds. Hennepin rates up in the top 10 saisons I've had. I've had an overly oxidized bottle of Three Philosophers before, but generally dig it. I agree on the Chocolate Indulgence. Weak body, small flavor - a pretty boring beer for the hype.
Regarding Lost Abbey - I had the same feeling until I tried the barrel aged Angel's Share, and had the opportunity to try their sour beers. The Cuvee de Tomme is one of the best beers I've had, and the Red Poppy was another excellent bottle.
I could live on Ommegang Abbey, and each one seems to get better as I get toward the bottom of the bottle.
I didn't like my first bottle of Hennepin, either, but recently tried again and wondered why I didn't like it that first time.
But then, that's why we drink 'em; everyone's taste buds fire different.
Post a Comment