Purchased: 12oz bottle from a 4-pack bought at Jewel-Osco in Chicago, IL; 2013
Style/ABV: Belgian Ale, 6.8%
Style/ABV: Belgian Ale, 6.8%
Reported IBUs: ?
Random Thought: So Dexter premiered last week, and I have to say....so far so good! At this rate, I'm just going to pretend that Seasons 3 through 6 didn't happen.
Tonight's beer came from a spontaneous purchase...and it turned out to be a pretty good spontaneous purchase at that. About Ommegang:
Ommegang was founded in October of 1997, in Cooperstown, New York. The Ommegang Brewery is set up on a traditional, Belgian-style farmhouse, and they are known for their unique takes on traditional Belgian-Style beers. Brewery Ommegang was sold to Duvel Moortgat in 2003. Ommegang Ales are made both in Belgium and in Cooperstown, New York.
The Fleur De Houblon appears to be a limited release. Contrary to what the name implies, the Fleur De Houblon (hop flowers) is apparently your typical Belgian Pale Ale, with one twist: the addition of whole-cone Bravo hops. Bravo is a newer, super high alpha hop, and provides excellent bittering as well as pleasant fruity/floral aromas. Let's see how the beer stacks up.
This one pours a hazy, dark, golden-yellow/honey/gold color, with 3-fingers of wispy, white, foamy head. The head is sustaining nicely, and leaving lacing as it drops off. If you've seen one unfiltered Belgian Ale, you've seen them all.
Ommegang's house yeast is great stuff, and it shows up here. You get big wheat, bubblegum, vanilla/clove, horse blanket/barnyard, custard, and some big apples and pears. The hops are fruity/floral and bright, and there's some peppery spice or cinnamon on the nose as well.
As far as Belgian Ales go, this one veers towards bright and hoppy, with big fruity/floral hops overwhelming the yeast and malt. You pick up pleasant bitterness, some herbal/peppery kick, and big apples, pears, floral brightness, and maybe some light greens (cilantro, mint). There's a strong Belgian base, with clove, white sugar, and bubblegum; and some hints of wheat and biscuit.
The body features good carbonation, and is effervescent, bubbly, and dry. It's a medium, medium-full bodied beer with good drinkability. The 6.8% is respectably high, but not burdensome in any noticeable way. Palate depth is good, but complexity is about on par with what you've come to expect from Ommegang (not a criticism; more like a subtle compliment). You get some clove/wheat up front, followed by a big hop kick; that rolls into wonderful hop bitterness and peppery spice, some bubblegum, wheat, clove; the back end features that cilantro/mint, lingering apple/pear/wheat/bubblegum...fade to dry.
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| Ommegang Fleur De Houblon |
This one pours a hazy, dark, golden-yellow/honey/gold color, with 3-fingers of wispy, white, foamy head. The head is sustaining nicely, and leaving lacing as it drops off. If you've seen one unfiltered Belgian Ale, you've seen them all.
Ommegang's house yeast is great stuff, and it shows up here. You get big wheat, bubblegum, vanilla/clove, horse blanket/barnyard, custard, and some big apples and pears. The hops are fruity/floral and bright, and there's some peppery spice or cinnamon on the nose as well.
As far as Belgian Ales go, this one veers towards bright and hoppy, with big fruity/floral hops overwhelming the yeast and malt. You pick up pleasant bitterness, some herbal/peppery kick, and big apples, pears, floral brightness, and maybe some light greens (cilantro, mint). There's a strong Belgian base, with clove, white sugar, and bubblegum; and some hints of wheat and biscuit.
The body features good carbonation, and is effervescent, bubbly, and dry. It's a medium, medium-full bodied beer with good drinkability. The 6.8% is respectably high, but not burdensome in any noticeable way. Palate depth is good, but complexity is about on par with what you've come to expect from Ommegang (not a criticism; more like a subtle compliment). You get some clove/wheat up front, followed by a big hop kick; that rolls into wonderful hop bitterness and peppery spice, some bubblegum, wheat, clove; the back end features that cilantro/mint, lingering apple/pear/wheat/bubblegum...fade to dry.
Rating: Above-Average (4.0/5.0 Untappd)
I'm feeling a Light Above-Average on this. This is super bright and floral, and is an outstanding Belgian counterpart to stronger American-style Pale Ales or IPAs. If you want a bright, floral, hoppy beer with a Belgian twist: this is that beer. For Ommegang/Duvel's wheelhouse, this is right in line with what I've come to expect from them. The bright hops and noteable spice in this beer suggest peppery food pairings...be it chicken or turkey, or mushrooms, or a burger with greens, or even a salad or ceviche...this is lovely stuff. The 4-pack format has pros and cons...but I paid 8 bucks for mine. I consider that a steal. Check it out.
I'm feeling a Light Above-Average on this. This is super bright and floral, and is an outstanding Belgian counterpart to stronger American-style Pale Ales or IPAs. If you want a bright, floral, hoppy beer with a Belgian twist: this is that beer. For Ommegang/Duvel's wheelhouse, this is right in line with what I've come to expect from them. The bright hops and noteable spice in this beer suggest peppery food pairings...be it chicken or turkey, or mushrooms, or a burger with greens, or even a salad or ceviche...this is lovely stuff. The 4-pack format has pros and cons...but I paid 8 bucks for mine. I consider that a steal. Check it out.
Random Thought: So Dexter premiered last week, and I have to say....so far so good! At this rate, I'm just going to pretend that Seasons 3 through 6 didn't happen.
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