Ommegang All Hallows Treat Imperial Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout

 Ommegang All Hallows Treat Imperial .Chocolate Peanut Butter Stout. 

7.6% ABV, 18 IBU, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Dark brown, opaque, slim brown head.

In the nose: sweet, malty, roasty. PB & cocoa are here. 

In the mouth: full body, rich, sweet, and balanced. Is 7.6 % really “Imperial”? Close enough, I guess. Increasingly delicious. It may be possible that for am drinking this a touch too cold, so I’ll sip slowly and let it warm up on me. As it does, I’ll take time to reflect on its continually growing delights. 

Sweet and spooky like the perfect Halloween night, All Hallows Treat rekindles your favorite childhood holiday memories. Aromas and flavors of dark chocolate, creamy peanut butter and a soft vanilla finish swirl with a smooth body and medium mouthfeel. It’s the perfect throwback that brings you to your first bite of a chocolate peanut butter cup

Ommegang Neon Lights Hazy IPA

 Ommegang Neon Lights Hazy IPA.

4.3 % ABV, 30 IBU, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Here I am, having another hazy, but only because it’s Ommegang. 

Lightly hazy. Bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus and spice. Lemon in charge.

In the mouth: lean and lemony. It’s all about the citrus here, with some tropical on the side. Light bodied, lower alcohol...is this a session hazy? Hop bitterness is low, everything is smooth and easy-going. Do I like it, despite that it is the two styles of IPA that I eschew the most? Can't say that I do. 

Phosphorescent fruit aromas fly in this juicy, sessionable New England style IPA. Bright, refreshing,  and vividly Dry Hopped, it’s unfiltered glow will illuminate your senses. India Pale Ale. Hops: Citra. Mosaic. Topaz. Simcoe.

Ommegang Double Chocolate Three Philosophers

Ommegang Double Chocolate Three Philosophers.

9.7 % ABV, 21 IBU. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Lightly clouded, dark burgundy hue, slim brown head that settles quickly. 

In the nose: Rich chocolate, delicate, bittersweet. Heavenly. 

In the mouth: Sweet cocoa takes command, but leaves room on the palate for the cherries and the deep, malty flavors of the quadruple at the heart of Three Philosophers. Chocolate rings back in with each new sip. Cherries and chocolate and Belgian malt make for a wonderful combination. Medium bodied, long, rich malty finish. Nicely balanced, never too much on either side. Plenty of delights in this bottle. 

P.S. You guys, I wouldn't have used "heavenly" in my review if I knew that it was the second word in their description. I never read them first, but I'll leave it unedited.

This heavenly confection pours a deep caramel in color with mahogany flecks, topped by a foamy tan head. Semi-sweet cocoa and subtle vanilla prevail in the aroma. The mouthfeel is textured and full-bodied, with caramel, toffee, and dark fruit wrapped in the embrace of rich, decadent Taza chocolate, culminating in a refreshingly smooth, lingering finish.

Two-row, amber, caramel, Munich-20, aromatic, extra specialcara-20 malts. Liefmans Cuvee Brut

HOPS: Styrian Goldings, Spalter Select

Ommegang Bourbon Barrel Three Philosophers

Ommegang Bourbon Barrel Three Philosophers. 

12 % ABV, 5 IBU, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Cracking the ring off the can...pssht! and in goes the beer into my tiny Three Philosophers glass....

Dark burgundy hue, clear-ish, slim but soon-gone head. (Maybe a wider, larger glass would have been better, but I had to go for my Three Philosophers chalice, minuscule as it may be). 

In the nose: Big time bourbon, huge cherry, oak, vanilla. Belgian malt character is big, as well. Sweetness abounds. 

In the mouth: Big booze from the start, whiskey is felt, cherry, oak, vanilla, sweet, then dry. And the Belgian malt and the toffee and caramel are also in play. Lush, and luscious. Just damned delicious. Yum meets a dum dum. 

Our world-renowned Belgian-Style Quadrupel aged gracefully in Bourbon barrels.

Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel

Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel. "Velvety. Smooth. Majestic." Belgian-style dubbel ale brewed with spices. Aged in brandy and bourbon barrels. 

9.9% ABV. 20 IBU. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Clouded, burgundy hued, slim, brief, magenta-toned head.

In the nose: Boom! Wow! Fruit at first, then the barrels, brandy takes hold, bourbon creeps in, cherries, vanilla, oak, caramel, and a dubbel lurks below. Mmm. Ah.

In the mouth: Grape, berries, cocoa, caramel, bittersweet. Alcohol starts in early and stays strong. Boom, boom, boom, boom! A few more sips in and the dubbel below (how I miss Ommegang Abbey Ale!) reveals itself, that special Special B malt character that I adore. Fruity, nutty, chocolatey, and all things Belgian, all at once. Bit of molasses. The very definition of Yum a Dum Dum. Rich, luxurious, delicious, complex, and ...just, damn. 

Unfortunately, this is my last bottle. I may have to leave the safety of the retail store where I currently work and look for some establishment that still has some. It's just the best. Wow meets wow. 

This luxurious brew begins with a big, beautiful Abbey Dubbel which then heads to our cellar, where it's gracefully aged for six months in a mix of bourbon and brandy casks. This blend of barrels adds an additional layer of flavor and complexity to what is already an incredibly layered drinking experience. The result is a beer worthy of slow-sipping, and deep contemplation. A beautiful fusion of dark fruit, caramel, molasses, and bourbon. Sip and enjoy, but be warned, Double Barrel Dubbel may result in a spiritual awakening. 

Ommegang/Alesmith Philosophy and Velocity: East Coast Edition

 Ommegang/Alesmith Philosophy and Velocity: East Coast Edition.

10.8 % ABV, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY.

Round Two.

Utter darkness. Lush brown head. Opaque. Looking fine.

In the nose: Fruit, fruit, then Belgian yeast. Dark malts. Touch of sweet.

In the mouth: A little sweet, a little tart, with a good dose of fruit. Coffee rises up, with attendant dark,  chocolate malts.  It’s definitely a unique and intriguing combination. Full body, smooth, and overflowing with flavors. High ABV starts to show. I’m basking in the overglow. Ever so nice. It’s an effortless marriage of the parts. Tasty stuff.

Philosophy and Velocity combine two iconic imperial beers from East and West: Brewery Ommegang’s Three Philosophers, and Alesmith Brewing’s Speedway Stout.  For this project, each brewery crafted a singular blend to release through their own channels.  From the East Coast, Ommegang brewed a Belgian-inspired version of Speedway Stout to blend with their Three Philosophers Quadruple Ale.  From the West, Alesmith brewed an American ale variant on Three Philosophers to blend with their robust, coffee-infused Speedway Stout.  Philosophy, meet Velocity

Alesmith / Ommegang Philosophy and Velocity: West Coast Edition

 Alesmith / Ommegang Philosophy and Velocity: West Coast Edition.

11.5 % ABV, Alesmith Brewing, San Diego, CA. (Collaboration with Brewery Ommegang)

And here we have the first part of a collaboration between Cooperstown, NY's Brewery Ommegang and San Diego, CA's Alesmith. They've mixed together two of their famous beers: Alesmith's coffee imperial stout Speedway (that's the velocity), and Ommegang's Three Philosopher's Quad/Kriek. Let's get to drinking.

Dark brown coloration, complete opacity, staple ring of cocoa-tan froth. 

In the nose: fruit first, then Belgian malt and yeast, followed swiftly by coffee. Malt is in command, and coffee soon dominates. 

In the mouth: Rich, smooth coffee flavors takes center stage right from the start, but there's no mistaking the Belgian quad just below. Coffee melds beautifully with the kreik and the quad. Big boned imperial malt flavors share the spotlight as well. Cocoa climbs it's way into the footlights, to take a bow. A successful marriage. All the actors are here, and playing their roles beautifully. Yum. A dum. Dum. 

Amazing stuff. Next up: the Ommegang version. 

West Coast Edition - Blend of Imperial Coffee Stout (Speedway Stout) and an American Ale variant of Ommegang's Belgian Style Quad (Three Philosophers).

Ommegang Wine Barrel Three Philosophers

Ommegang Wine Barrel Three Philosophers. A blend of Quadrupel Ale and Belgian Kriek Ale with cherries aged in red wine barrels. 

9.3 % ABV. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Dark crimson coloring, beautiful Burgundy hue, slim white head.

In the nose: Softly tannic, rosy, slightly sweet, barrel effects covering up the quad, malt forward.

In the mouth: rich, sweet, slightly tart, wine barrel working it's way on the palate. the kriek/quad lives just below, masked by the red. Vinous. Delicious. Medium bodied, long, malty, fruity finish. The other aspects of Three Philosopher slowly emerge from beneath the barrels. And with it the alcohol, smothering all in it's embrace. Sharp, sweet, tasty, luxurious. Lovely. Now, it's coming together, all the parts are showing off, the quad is showing it's Belgian side, the cherry is peeking through, and the wine is still there. 

Three Philosophers was always lovely, but this is even lovelier. 

It's even...yum a dum dum.

Aromas of roasted malt, dark fruit, molasses and oak accompany flavors of figs, currants and chocolate.

Three Philosophers, our iconic blend of quadrupel and Belgian kriek, is a tour de force whose malty depth and gentle sweetness are the perfect companions for deep contemplation. In 2019, reach new realms of rumination with this limited release of our iconic beer. Searching for the meaning of life? Even if you don’t quite get there, this beer is sure to sweeten the journey.

Ommegang Hopstate 2020 IPA (Hop Heritage Series)

Ommegang Hopstate 2020 IPA (Hop Heritage Series) Dry hopped India Pale Ale, Locally Sourced NY Hops.  

7.4 % ABV, 45 IBU. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NU. 

Dear reader, I have sinned profoundly. It has been three years since the last entry of the Brewery Ommegang here in the Nib. They are one of my favorite breweries and I feel like I've been neglecting them. And many of the reviews posted here (but not all) in the past five years or so have been samples provided by distributors and reps. I am going to try to make sure their beers don't escape me too much in the future, while I strive to avoid those trendy $20 4-packs of hazy DDH DIPAs that always disappoint me because they taste the same. This quartet of ales was about $12 for the 16-ouncers. 

And so, here we have the first India Pale Ale from Ommegang here in the Nib. I've had every kind of beer from them you can think of, but not an IPA. (Also, it's the first Ommegang I've reviewed from a can, for whatever that's worth.) Let's drink it. 

All cloudy-like (and you know I wish it weren't), bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: floral, citrusy, stone fruit. Lightly spicy. Lemon, tangerine, grapefruit, apricot. 

In the mouth: Juicy. Bitter. Delightful. Bitterness last long on the palate, but is effortlessly balanced. Whiff of Belgian yeast. Delicious malt profile lurks below. Medium bodied, easy-drinking, ending on a grassy and dry note. Slight astringency, but tasty stuff. This is what I look for in an unfiltered IPA. 

The first three of these went down way too fast. I'd get more of these in a heartbeat. 

Hopstate IPA pours hazy pale orange with a lively white head. Bright citrus notes dominate the aroma, underpinned by vibrant floral hop character. Flavors of fresh squeezed orange juice are married to a soft, pillowy mouthfeel with moderate bitterness, and a slightly sweet finish with hints of candied orange peel 

Ommegang Siren's Song

Ommegang Siren's Song Dark Ale brewed with figs and raisins. 9% alc./vol. Part of the Duvet Family of Fine Ales.

Dark brown/burgundy hue, fuzzy beige head above. Looking good.

In the nose: Spicy, malty, funky, fruity. A little tart, and quite vinous. Wine meets beer in here.

In the mouth: Big carbonation starts it out, followed by sweet fruit, dark, ripe, and tart. Brown ale meets funky/fruity. Mighty malt, with minor hops.

What kind of beer is this, asks the man who bought a 4-pack and drank 3 bottles already and never bothered to read the label? "Dark ale brewed with figs and raisins." Of course it is.

It's also, in addition to being fruity and funky, quite cool and groovy. At 9% Alc./Vol., it's better be. Quite nice, this one. I recommend it, far and wide.

Ancient mariners braved the Aegean, holds laden with figs and raisins. They faced great storms, monstrous sea creatures, and merciless pirates. But all paled compared to the Sirens, whose enchanted songs drifted to sea and drew the sailors to their end. 

Our dark ale, Sirens’ Song, pays homage to the lost cargos, with figs and raisins added to the brew kettle. The resulting beer is dark, mysterious, and as irresistible as the Sirens’ seductive song. 

Roasted malt and burnt sugar aromas lead, followed by flavors of dark fruit and notes of dark caramel. The finish is smooth and balanced with subtle bitterness.

Ommegang Pale Sour Ale

Ommegang Pale Sour Ale, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 6.9% ABV. Product of Belgium. (If that's confusing, it is instructive to remember that Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown, New York is a wholly owned subsidiary of Duvel-Moortgat, and some of their branded beers are actually brewed in Belgium for sale in the U.S.) This one, actually, was brewed in collaboration with Liefmans.

Lightly hazed, pale golden coloring, slim white head.

In the nose: Big funk, big sour. Slightly vinegar-y. Wine-like, fruity, nice.

In the mouth: Sharp, tart, sweet, funky. Medium/ light bodied. Perfectly easy drinking, refreshing, and delightful. Just enough sour, just enough malt, great balance, go drink it.

I was going to copy off the words on the label, as I often do, but they used pretty much the same verbiage that I just did, and that would be embarrassing. Note that I did not read it first, however. Mere coincidence.

Here's more from them: Pale Sour is an elegant, drinkable sour beer, unique in that it’s not wood-aged. It has a well-balanced blend of sweet and sour. Liefmans is such a historic, iconic brewery and having the opportunity to work with them has been an honor and very enjoyable. 

Pale Sour begins with a mixed culture fermentation in open copper vats. Aged over several months in stainless tanks, master blenders blend new batches with older ones until the optimal balance of flavors is reached.

Ommegang Rosetta

Here's one I had for the first time when I tapped at Acadia a couple of years ago. I didn't need a sample because I had full faith in the powers of Brewery Ommegang. At last, I got a sample from a rep who may have forgotten that I'd already ordered another keg. But the Sample Man's generosity means that Rosetta gets it's place in the Nib. (Truly, there should be many more Ommegang beers on here. I'm so behind and they're one of my favorite breweries.)

Ommegang Rosetta. Flanders Oud Bruin-style Ale. Ale aged on cherries with other natural flavors.
5.6% ABV. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY.


Rich, burgundy coloring, nearly red and highly hazed, with a pinkish cap of foam atop.

In the nose: there's our cherry, there's our sour, with plenty of wood, as well. Tart and sweet, together. Very nice.

In the mouth: Tart from the start, with cherry flavor rising up to match it. A beautiful tango of sweet and tart. Complexity and richness abounds, while remaining easy-drinking, not-too-sour sipper. Long-lasting fruity flavors. Just the right amount of vinegar. Nice approximation of a Belgian Flanders Red from one of my favorite American Belgian breweries.

From the website: Ale aged on cherries. Traditional Belgian Kriek, pleasingly tart with a touch of sweetness. Brewed exclusively for Brewery Ommegang by Liefmans, a sister brewery, in Belgium.

It's called a traditional kriek here, but Oud Bruin in others places. Can they both be right?

Ommegang Fruition

Ommegang Fruition, Dry-hopped Wit Bier brewed with Passion Fruit, Mango, and Kiwi. 5.3% Alc. by Vol. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY.

Clouded, straw yellow/gold appearance, lush white head above, looking good.

In the nose: Deeply funky and tart, wildly fruity. Sweetness rises up, but funk is in command. Fresh and zesty.

In the mouth: Sweet, fresh, smooth. Delicious. Little bit of fruity funk is still there, but the witbier base is in command. Not quite a sour ale, but plenty of tart at play here. Can't really pick out the mango, the kiwi, the passion fruit, but it's a complex mix. The sweet fruity stuff pops in from time to time and mixes up the rest of it. Tart continues. Sour and satisfying.

Ommegang Glimmerglass Saison

Ommegang Glimmerglass Saison, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, New York. 5.4% "spring saison."

Lightly clouded, bright orange hue, bright and lovely white head.

Spice in the nose, then citrus-y notes, and good helping of Belgian yeast. Soft pepper notes.

In the mouth: slightly hot & spicy from the start, light bodied, but loaded with flavor. Delightful, delicious, and (de-)lovely. Easy-drinking, thrillingly complex, malty enough....yeah. I call it "yum."

Ommegang Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms Hoppy Wheat Ale

Ommegang Game of Thrones Seven Kingdoms Hoppy Wheat Ale, 6.9% ABV.

On tap at Acadia Cafe.

Clouded, golden coloring, full ivory head.

Lightly spicy, Belgian yeast-y, beautiful citrus-y notes.

In the mouth: bright citrusy flavors, slightly sweet, soft and supple. Moderate bitterness, lush wheat. Great beer, and you can drink it.

I've never seen an episode of Game of Thrones, though, so all the gobbledygook about Westvelesteros and Johnny Snow and Tyrandextorse and what not, it just shoots over my head.

Ommegang Grains of Truth

Ommegang Grains of Truth. Harvest Ale. 5.8% ABV. There’s a lot of tiny type on the label, and I can’t find my glasses.

It’s a bright, golden hue, lightly hazy, with a short, but lasting head, a little off-whitish in color.

Aroma: Belgian yeast and spice. Pepper and clove and funk. Very nice.

In the mouth: the spice keeps coming. In a good way. Is it “hot”? Nearly. Light bodied, easy drinking. Not in the sense of alcohol, anyway, but the spice factor is high. Well-balanced, though, and tasty. Malt is coming through, rich and rewarding. Herbal and earthy. I’m liking this more and more.Digging it.

Here's some gobbledygook from the website:
Grains of Truth is Ommegang’s ale honoring the harvest season. Using barley, oats, wheat, and rye, we’ve brought the mood of fall to life with vibrant and flavorful passion.

Farming is about precision, timing and care. At Ommegang we place the same emphasis a farmer has for his crops into the creation of our beers. Grains of Truth is a testament to the craft and care of farming, from which our farmstead-brewed beers benefit greatly.

Brewed with balance in mind, Grains of Truth reveals a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with light toastiness and gentle sweetness. Bright amber in color from the mixed malts, the beer is balanced with delicate hopping to counter rather than overpower the malt profile.

Available for a limited time in 1/6 BBLs 1/2 BBLs and 12oz bottles every fall.

Ommegang Game of Thrones Three Eyed Raven Dark Saison

Ommegang Game of Thrones Three Eyed Raven. Dark Saison Ale. 7.2% ABV.

Another corked and caged 750 ml tribute to the Game of Thrones, which I continue to know nothing about.

Appearance: dark coloring, vast, creamy, off-white head, leaving lace, looking good.

Aroma: sweet and malty, with light spicy, peppery notes. Saison yeast character begins to flower. Just the stuff.

Taste: Rich and malty, some dark fruit and cocoa notes. A little anise, perhaps. Some dates and figs. Smooth and highly drinkable. Low hops, plentiful saison yeast character, keeping this authentic and ever so tasty.

Does it taste like a three eyed raven, though, in some far-away magical kingdom? I wouldn't know. Still digging it, though.

Ommegang Fleur de Houblon

Ommegang Fleur de Houblon Summer Ale. 6.8% ABV.

Appearance: clear-ish, light golden coloring, slim, but lasting ivory head.

Aroma: hoppy, fruity, floral, lively and uplifting. Little bit of spice, lots of bright and beautiful flavors.

Taste: Hmmm. Mmmm. this is nice upon nice. It's citrus, flowers, and parts of pine, kicked off with Belgian yeast, slices of lemon and lime, orange peel, grapefruit pith. Medium-bodied, light and easy-drinking. Slim-toned and gorgeous. Fierce carbonation. Hops-aplenty.

Here's what the Brewery Ommegang says about it: Nothing is more evocative of summer than the beautiful aroma of flowers, and the favored flowers of brewers are hops. Our brand new summer ale, Fleur de Houblon (Hop Flowers), is brewed to bring the many elements of summer into a refreshing and easy-to-drink Belgian-style ale.

Fleur de Houblon is a rich gold color with distinct floral hops in the aroma that follow through in the taste. Whole-cone Bravo hops are used to impart their earthy, fruity, and floral aromas and flavors. The body and flavor are clean and dry, with pleasing complexity and spicy notes from both primary and secondary fermentation with our unique Ommegang house yeast.

Ommegang Game of Thrones Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale

Ommegang Game of Thrones Valar Morghulis Dubbel Ale. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 8% ALC./VOL.

I've never seen an episode of Game of Thrones, nor read a single sentence of the novels. I did see the South Park spoof, though. So, it's a show about wieners? And dragons that are coming? And something that happens in Winter? Okay, maybe when I'm caught up with Ray Donovan I'll get to it, and I've got some Boardwalk Empire episodes to get to…then, I will, I promise to get to the wieners that everyone's talking about.

But, I don't need the wieners to enjoy the beer, so let's get to it…

Appearance: dark reddish-brown, mahogany, under a light tan head.

Aroma: bold fruitiness in the nose, dark fruits, cherries, raisins, dates & plums, with an oaky edge. Slight sourness & funkiness. Terrifically complex. Brandy-like.

Taste: Starts out sweet and fruity, with a funky twist. It's totally a plum bomb, I'd say, if I said things like that. Sweet maltiness and the Belgian yeast gives it a wine-y character. I could go for a drier dubbel than this, but that doesn't stop me from digging it. But, just a little, not a ton.

Let's read that label: "Ommegang ales are incomparable, yielding unique flavors and aromas. Inspired by deep insight in to Belgian brewing, and infused with Ommegang's creative upstate NY spirit, each ale offers perfect balance and pure drinking pleasure." There's more on the label that goes into the meaning of the name and the blah-blah-blah about the show, and I just don't care about that.

Ommegang Hop House

Ommegang Hop House Dry-hopped Pale Ale. 6% ABV. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY.

Clear, bright golden hued, with a glorious, pure-as-the-driven snow-y white head, stays long, leaves lace. Looks great.

Aroma: soft, floral, fruity, lightly spicy. Some Belgian yeast at work here, for sure. Just enough bitter, just enough fruit. Right on the money.

Taste: Nicely hoppy at the fore, plenty of abrasive hop bitterness, which hangs hard on the palate, and never seems to quit. Bitterness last a long time on this, does not fade away. body is soft, smooth, easy drinking here, low alcohol, (-ish), too. Citrus zest, lemon and lime, some pithy pine, but the Belgian yeast really brings it home. This is more in line with a Belgian IPA than any simple pale ale.

Also, it is delightful. Despite some aspirin-y astringency. Or, maybe, because of it?
No matter, it's another win for Ommegang. And me.