Ommegang Duvel Rustica

Duvel Rustica. Belgian-style Golden Ale. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 8.5% ABV.

Highly hazed orange-ish, tangerine-y appearance, beneath a magnificent flowering of pure white foam up above.

Aroma: ah! Angelic. (despite the devilish name). Citrus, spice, and straw, all played with delicacy, and a side order of funkitude. right here at first sniff, we get it, a golden ale, the classic Duvel, blended with a rough and ready farmhouse saison. Great idea, and so far, so good.

Taste: It's light, medium-ish bodied, but fully flavored. Plenty of fresh, lively fruit sensations, orange, lemon, lime, a twist of grapefruit, with a dash of pepper, cardamom, coriander, then mingled with characteristic Belgian yeast. There's always something alive in the mouth, a lovely mix of authentic Belgian flavors and a clean finish, a lively palate, and a zesty hop profile we expect from a Belgian strong golden ale.
 It's an interesting contrast especially when you imagine crossing an authentic saison, with it's earthy, yes, rustic nature, with the crisp, zesty and effervescent strong golden style which Duvel represents and exemplifies. They are two very different styles, with two distinctive appeals. Why muddy them up, why mix them and mash them and cross them like so. Well, why not? One side of the equation has to give a little in order for it to work, so you have to go in wishing for compromise as a success. And I think it works very well.

Excellent balance in this, what sweetness there is is undercut with hops, and yeast character plus malt flavor makes for a uniquely delicious taste. End slightly bitter and dry on the palate.

Let's see if the label will tell us anything. "Duvel Rustica is our American farmhouse interpretation of Duvel Golden Ale, renowned worldwide as the finest Belgian Golden Ale. Like Duvel, our ale begins with a perfect balance of fine malts and noble hops, then undergoes fermentation with Ommegang's proprietary yeast.
Duvel Rustica is a richly flavorful and aromatic brew, with the depth and complexity of the finest Belgian ales. Enjoy the alluring flavors and aroma, fine carbonation, full body, hazy rustic golden hue, fluffy white head, and dry, warming finish."

I like this quite a lot. It might be one of my favorite new beers of 2012. I'd love to have this around for every day drinking, but that's asking too much, I know. Maybe I can do a 50/50 mix of Duvel and hennepin, how about that?