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Ommegang Rare Vos
Cooperstown, New York
BJCP Category: 16B Belgian Pale Ale
Brewery Ommegang <visit site>
40
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[expand]Total Score: 42/50
A very enjoyable Belgian Pale Ale that fits the BJCP style quite well. The phenols are a bit high for the malt presence; I would like to have had less phenols or more malt character in the finish to better more >
[close]Total Score: 42/50
Aroma: Fruity aroma with pear, apple and hint of banana. Slight peppery/clove phenols. Alcohol (clean, not hot) is noticeable. Bready, slightly toasty malt aroma. Slight peppery hop presence. Complex aroma without any dominant element. Well-balanced. (11/12)
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Appearance: Bright clarity. Orange/amber color. Dense head with long-lasting retention. Well carbonated. (3/3)
Flavor: Bready malt with slight toasty notes. Peppery hop flavor. Relatively moderate-high hop bitterness. Apple and pear-like fruity esters. Moderate clove phenols. Phenols are a bit over the top for this style and example. Balance is toward bitterness and phenols. Alcohol is evident. Finishes dry. Not the soft malt-sweetness expected in a session beer. No diacetyl. No DMS. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Smooth, without being creamy. No astringency. Medium bodied. Some alcohol warming. Dry, peppery finish to mouthfeel. (4/5)
Overall Impression: A very enjoyable Belgian Pale Ale that fits the BJCP style quite well. The phenols are a bit high for the malt presence; I would like to have had less phenols or more malt character in the finish to better balance this beer and have a less dry finish. However with this spicy finish, this beer would go great with steamed mussels and fries with aioli mayonnaise. Do serve in the 40s to truly enjoy this beer. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 41/50
Sweet toasty malt and ripe Bartlett pear esters in flavor and aroma are well balanced with the firm hop bitterness. As I was writing, the foam dissipated to a perfect yin-yang on the surface of the beer more >
[close]Total Score: 41/50
Aroma: Light fruit up front, ripe Bartlett pear; toasty malt follows with a hint of clove spice phenol. No hops evident, thought some alcohol is. More estery than malty. (9/12)
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Appearance: Orange amber with brilliant clarity. Well-formed, rocky persistent head of off-white largish bubbles that continually rise from the bottom of the glass. Foam dissipates slowly to a mist, leaves a lace. (3/3)
Flavor: Moderately sweet, toasty Munich malt flavor up front supports the ripe Bartlett pear esters and light clove and peppery phenol notes. Subdued hop flavor and firm bitterness come forward mid-palate and stay to the end. Hop flavor is more citrus-floral than spicy. A light almond note and bit of alcohol come in at the finish, which is crisp and dry, accentuated by the hop bitterness. (17/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body with at first spritzy carbonation that dissipates quickly in the mouth. Some alcohol warming combines with the prickly dry finish; not astringent, but definitely dry, and with a sensation like biting into an orange peel, with the white pith providing a foundation for the tingling zest. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Sweet toasty malt and ripe Bartlett pear esters in flavor and aroma are well balanced with the firm hop bitterness. As I was writing, the foam dissipated to a perfect yin-yang on the surface of the beer, as if to reaffirm the point. Alcohol is more prevalent in this beer than in some of its Belgian cousins. Just a bit bigger than a session beer, it would be enjoyable as a glass—or maybe two—at a sunny sidewalk café. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 40/50
This is an interesting beer with a spectrum of malt and yeast flavors. The balance and complexity are the main strengths of this beer. more >
[close]Total Score: 40/50
Aroma: Spicy, peppery phenols with hints of citrus and spruce. The malt has some depth with biscuit and toffee notes. Alcohol is evident—more than most Cat I beers, but it complements the malt and fermentation components of the aroma. Some banana and vanilla esters emerge as it warms. Nice complexity and balance. (10/12)
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Appearance: Coppery orange color, perhaps speaking to Vienna malt. The head retention is good, but not as persistent as most Belgian beers. There is also some haze. (2/3)
Flavor: Toasted malt comes through first, along with a little graininess, providing a nice substrate for the fermentation flavors that follow. These include the peppery phenol notes that were prevalent in the aroma, and just a hint of bubble gum esters. The finish is fairly dry, with a moderate hop bitterness, but everything is in balance. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: I pick up a little astringency from the phenols and alcohol, and it could use a little more carbonation. The alcohol also provides a little warmth. (4/5)
Overall Impression: This is an interesting beer with a spectrum of malt and yeast flavors. The balance and complexity are the main strengths of this beer. The higher OG and alcohol may make it a better fit in the Saison style, but this is a case where the quality of the beer supersedes the stylistic accuracy. (8/10) -
[expand]Total Score: 39/50
Might be miscategorized in the guidelines. Strength and yeast character are higher than typical and the malt character isn’t as toasty and biscuity as most examples. more >
[close]Total Score: 39/50
Aroma: Quite fruity, some alcohol, moderate phenolics. Some malty sweetness but yeast character is dominant. Medium-low spicy notes—either yeast or hops. The esters are interesting, like strawberries. Alcohol has an aromatic rose-like quality. Lacks characteristic biscuity, toasty malt. (9/12)
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Appearance: Tall beige head, creamy, with good retention. Medium amber color. Quite hazy; a distraction. (2/3)
Flavor: Fairly fruity, medium bitterness, nice phenolics in the late palate and finish. Esters are like berries and citrus. Malt is lightly sweet and softly toasty. Low hop flavor. Alcohol flavors mix nicely with esters and phenolics. Rather full palate with a dry finish. Lingering esters, phenolics and alcohol. Complex, tasty and interesting. (16/20)
Mouthfeel: Medium body. Medium-high to high carbonation. Warming alcohol in an overall smooth presentation. (4/5)
Overall Impression: Might be miscategorized in the guidelines. Strength and yeast character are higher than typical and the malt character isn’t as toasty and biscuity as most examples. The label calls it an “amber” so it might be better called a Belgian Artisanal Amber and judged in Category 16E. Something for consideration in a future release of the guidelines. This is a well-crafted Belgian ale, just not very much like a De Koninck. Great esters, nice balance, smooth alcohol. (8/10)
