Name: Ommegang

Brewer: Ommegang

Style: Belgian Abbey Ale (Dubbel)

Cellared On: July 13th, 2007

Original Tasting: August 9th, 2007

I decided to keep up the local Upstate NY love and have another tasting from Ommegang brewery, this time with their flagship Abbey Ale. It’s a very highly carbonated beer, it sounded like I was pouring a coke out of the bottle instead of a beer! It’s a darkish brown in the glass, with a nice bubbly head. Aroma is of sweet fruit and a touch of clove. Sweet malts and fruit dominate this beer, with hints of caramel coming at me. Some cool funkiness from the Belgian yeast. Sweet aftertaste with traces of alcohol and spices. It’s a very nice brew, but too sweet for me to drink a lot of.

Online tasters also commented a lot on the fruitiness of this beer, mostly noting the cherry, raisin, and prune flavors. Other commenters noted the presence of brown sugar, spice, and toffee.

Six-Month Tasting: January 11th, 2008

The big carbonation I saw back in the summer had gotten even bigger, as this beer started fizzing right out of the bottle as soon as I popped the cap. Amazingly, I must be learning something, as I had my glass ready and didn’t waste a drop! As I poured, I noticed the aroma was a little more muted then I remember it.

The sweetness I experienced early also seemed muted, as the overall malty flavor seemed much more rich and balanced. Dark fruits were being suggested by the malty goodness, especially flavors of raisins and prunes. A nice chewy mouthfeel is also starting to develop. There was some bitterness on the finish, and not much sweetness at all.

One Year Tasting: July 22nd, 2008

I love where this brew is heading.

The flavor is full of rich malts that are just swarming with ripe dark fruits. The sweetness has pulled back considerably from a year ago. Raisins and figs are very prominent, with subtle hints of chocolate also there. Both a slight bitterness and malty sweetness linger on the finish.

The carbonation continues to build as time goes on, this beer was overflowing as soon as I popped the cap.

Scary drinkable - I love it.

Cellar Outlook: If the label says it’s good for cellaring, it must be right? Bottle conditioned, with a fairly high ABV, I think it’ll be very nice. Maybe even some of the sweetness will get eaten away over time.

Six-Month Cellar Outlook - A good call by me six months ago on the dropping sweetness level! I think we’ll see this beer get even dryer, which should allow the fruity flavors to come out even more. I expect the texture to keep getting even creamier, too.

One Year Cellar Outlook - No need to change my prediction this time. I expect the remaining sweetness to get eaten up over the next year, allowing even more of the dark fruit flavors coming through.

Next Tasting: July 2009

Jason

jason@brewbasement.com

www.brewbasement.com