25 years in steady operation is a trigger for celebration however Brewery Ommegang’s future was by no means unsure. The Cooperstown brewery’s calling card has all the time been Americanized variations of abbey ales with its flagship Three Philosophers casting such an extended shadow that few breweries dare to compete within the Belgian quad fashion. Ommegang will get some credit score right here for with the ability to learn the tea leaves at a time when Belgian imports like Delerium Tremens, Duvel, and Chimay supplied a gateway into the world of craft beer, however it’s the standard and distinctiveness of their beers that has endured.
Ommegang isn’t attempting to recreate acquainted Belgian manufacturers with its 25th Anniversary Ale—it’s a purple ale for starters, and a reasonably high-octane rendition. The inclusion of orange peel and coriander—what sometimes offers the Belgian witbier (a la Hoegaarden) its taste palette—gives a splendidly transformative twist with Ommegang’s 25th Anniversary Ale. Why aren’t extra purple ales brewed with adjuncts? Scratch that: Why aren’t all purple ales brewed with adjuncts? Right here’s a method that’s the very definition of “blah” by itself that will get fruitiness and spiciness and a far more complicated style and nostril from simply including two elements.
The bitterness, which comes from the late addition of Cascade hops, is fairly interesting, too. There’s a little bit of bitterness from the orange peel and coriander, however it’s the hops that give the Ommegang 25th Anniversary Ale its dry, tongue-tingling end. Like current 25th anniversary celebration beers from Stone (Triple IPA), Left Hand (Russian Imperial) and Nice Divide (Imperial Stout), the Ommegang 25th Anniversary Ale performs to all the brewery’s strengths. This one is seemingly solely obtainable in restricted launch, so snag a four-pack and set it apart—cellaring this one for somewhat would possibly take the sting off of the bitterness and create a extra malt-forward expertise.
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