Brewery Ommegang Three Philosophers Quadrupel

I really tried to do this post last night, but after a full day of drinking and BBQ, I was bushed.  So, here we are the day after and here is my review.

Preface:

I started the grill at about 4:00.  We were doing 2 racks of Memphis style pork ribs and one rack of plain for sauce.  Fifteen lbs. of pork ribs on the grill is a beautiful thing and my only regret is that I didn’t take a picture… aw well.  So, I wanted an easy drinking beer as I was working… the $16 twenty-four pack of Henry’s at Costco did the trick just fine.  Anyhow, we were done eating about 7:00pm (and the ribs were fantastic, btw) and the neighbors were all hanging out, so I decided it would be a good time for some beer tasting.  Not all the way to my XXXX, but close with the following…

The Tasting:

Brewery Ommegang Three Philosophers Quadrupel.  One of those beers that I have been wanting to drink for some time now.  It has always been super intriguing and I just like the name, to be honest.  So, I popped the cork with a good little *pop* and we could immediately smell a faint hint of cherry (comes from the cherry lambic that is mixed in).  I poured 3 mugs for those around the table outside and we set off to tasting.  The beer had a good head on it, so through the foam, my first flavor hit me and… well… I wasn’t sure.  Really… it was sneaky.  I kind of waited for something strong to hit me and… it didn’t.  All of the flavors were very, very subtle.  Even the Belgian yeast was subtle.  The cherry was just a slight hint and overall, the beer belied its 9.8% ABV and snuck in as a mild Belgian Quadrupel with light to medium depth but overall good flavor.

I have decided now, the day after, that I will have to buy this one again.  I am pretty sure it will change flavors on me next time and I want to isolate the experience and really *taste* it.  So, verdict for now:

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

Brewery Ommegang Hennepin Farmhouse Saison

Started tonight with a couple of margaritas after a long week of work… the perfect compliment to the beer-with-dinner we experienced last night:

Since I didn’t really feel like chasing margaritas with ordinary beer, I stopped at PCC on the way home, just outside of Redmond, and picked up about 5 different brews.  I have heard a lot about Brewery Ommegang in my perusing of the net and Draft Magazine, but never had a chance to pick it up.  Well, it was on sale for $7.50 so I thought what the hell.

The first thing I noticed was the outstanding pop the cork made as I pulled it easily out of the top of the bottle.  I could tell there were some good contents under pressure there and that this beer was ready to be enjoyed.  From there, the mist that seeped out of the bottle caught the attention of me and my daughter and as I began to pour, its heavier-than-air characteristics poured into the glass just before the golden ale.  I poured a full glass with a 1/4 head and breathed in the wonderful aroma of the beer.

Ah… the anticipation to the first drink… whoa!  Not exactly what I was expecting… super-strong for my unsophisticated taste buds, this beer really has a kick.  I mean, I knew it did based on the alcohol content, but I didn’t expect it.  I wonder how much of that was due to the sweet margaritas from earlier… anyhow, it took me a glass and a half to really get the hang of this beer but now I am starting to understand why it gets some of the high praises I have seen. 

Brewery Ommegang’s Hennepin Farmhouse Saisonis a very complex beer that can’t be taken lightly.  This isn’t the type of drink that you head into the cul-de-sac with or that you keep by your side while you tend to the BBQ.  This beer needs to be enjoyed and appreciated or the complexity is easily lost in what might appear to be a standard ale.  As I read more about the saison style, I can see how Hennepin is the embodiment of it. 

Overall a good beer.  It would have to be somewhat of a special occasion to buy this again, but I would do it.  Maybe next time with some fine cheese and crackers…

JBB6 Rating: Will Buy Again

   

Note to self: This is beer review #85.