Ommegang BPA (Belgian-style Pale Ale)

Brewery: Brewery Ommegang
Location: Cooperstown, NY
Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Brewery Website
Rating: B+

Today’s beer tasting is Ommegang’s BPA (Belgian Pale Ale). The Belgian Pale Ale pours up a deep gold in color with a slight haze. The head is huge, white, clumpy foam. The nose detects the telltale grapefruit of Cascade hops, along with some banana and typical Belgian yeast notes.

The palate initially finds a citrus hops note that then moves towards flavors of Belgian yeast (i.e., banana and clove). There is a light bread/pasta dough malt note as well. The bitterness is fairly mild when compared to the typical West-Coast American pale ale. There is some residual sweetness here as well. The Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale is medium-bodied and nicely carbonated. The finish sees hops bitterness paired with pasta dough malt and sweet yeasty esters.

The Ommegang Belgian Pale Ale is a well-executed cross between Belgian and American Pale Ale. The Belgian yeast really combines nicely with the citrusy west-coast hops here. This is a great beer to seek out if you’re looking for something a bit different to try. It also pairs fantastically with aged cheese. I paired this with a 3-year old gouda and the combination was fantastic.

Ommegang Three Philosophers Quadrupel 2010 Vintage

Brewery: Brewery Ommegang
Location:Cooperstown, NY
Style: Quadrupel
Brewery Website
Rating: B+

Today's tasting is the 2010 edition of Ommegang's Three Philosophers. The Three Philosophers is a blend of a Belgian-style Quad and a Belgian-style Kriek (aka, cherry lambic). The Three Philosophers pours up a deep, hazy amber-mahogany in color. The light-tan head is thick and creamy. The nose has cereal malt, fruity hops, sweet yeast esters (banana and circus peanut) as well as a hint of sweet cherry.

On the palate there is an initial acidity that is followed up by a dry malt/graininess. There are herbal and piny hops notes present in the background. Alcohol is noticeable along with mineral water and oaky/woody notes. Tart cherries from the lambic are here as well. The Three Philosophers is medium-bodied, with an initial juiciness that develops into a bit of astringency. The finish has lingering alcohol with dry grain and the faintest hint of cherry.

The Ommegang Three Philosophers is a well-constructed blend. It is complex and balanced. I did find that some of the flavors seem to clash a bit, but I bet a year or so in the cellar will round that out nicely. The cherry here makes this a fantastic pair for the Patric Rio Caribe Superior 70% dark chocolate. All-in-all, the Three Philosophers is a very good beer that promises to become great after a year or two of aging.