After trumping all quaffed craft ales in 2013 with what I felt was the most astounding and memorable ale of the year, an opportunity to snaffle another from the Ommegang range was met with thinly disguised dilation of the pupils. Ommegang are a New York brewhouse from Cooperstown founded in 1997 that falls under the Duvel empire, and the pedigree shows, but Ommegang take tradition and work it in new and adventurous ways. And are serious about their presence on the dining table.
A Dubbel weighing in at 8.2%, the ale proves a base for the exploration of flavour that seems to be the cornerstone of Ommegang philosophy. A sum of its' parts, the ale is brewed with liqorice root, star anise, sweet orange peel, coriander and cumin. The palate sings with fruitcake and a malty richness, with a moderate viscosity and a low carbonation, this is top grade cuisine ale, finely garbed, subtley twisted with the spiked spice notes, finishing with the clean liqorice tones. A brief olfactory memory flash of Fisherman's Friend pops into awareness...
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