Hi,
I have just tasted the most amazing beer. I'm wondering what
others think of it.
Ommegang Abbey Ale

It's fantastic. I'm not much of a serious beer drinker though. I
stick to Sam Adams pretty much -- an occasional Bass or Guiness. But
wow, this stuff is amazing. Have any of you tasted it? Are there
other beers like this? Have I just stumbled on a TYPE of beer that I
like -- or is this really unique?
Please, if there are other beers like this one (brewed I've found
out in New York of all places -- even though they describe themselves
as Belgian-style -- whatever that means) please let me know.
A little expensive. $3.95 for 1 pint 9.4 fluid ounces. But the
alcohol content might justify it 8.5%. I'd like to find a place that
sells this or similar beer for less than $40 for a case of 12. Any
suggestions.

Ashley Adams

asha34 wrote:
> Hi,
> I have just tasted the most amazing beer. I'm wondering what
> others think of it.
> Ommegang Abbey Ale

It's pretty good, but not extraordinary for the style.

> It's fantastic. I'm not much of a serious beer drinker though. I
> stick to Sam Adams pretty much -- an occasional Bass or Guiness. But
> wow, this stuff is amazing. Have any of you tasted it? Are there
> other beers like this? Have I just stumbled on a TYPE of beer that I
> like -- or is this really unique?
> Please, if there are other beers like this one (brewed I've found
> out in New York of all places -- even though they describe themselves
> as Belgian-style -- whatever that means) please let me know.

Yes there are many of this variety. Other than just the actual from
Belgium Belgian ales (which are almost all more expensive than the
domestic Ommegang) you might want to look for Weyerbacher or Victory
beers both brewed in PA, some of which are in the Belgian style (Victory
"Golden Monkey", Weyerbacher "Merry Monks" and "Quad"). If it's just
the Brown Ale style that you like, you might want to try the Brooklyn
Brown Ale (they make a wonderful Chocolate Stout too)
Belgians cover many different styles including Wheat with spices
(Belgian: Hoegaarden or Wittekirk, domestic: Celis white, Weyerbacher
White, Blue Moon) to Lambics (double fermented with fruit, bubbly
"champaign" of beers), my personal favorite Red Ales (Roddenbach is
excellent if you ever get the chance) and "big beers": trippels,
barleywines and quads. The common characteristic is a more complex
flavor than your traditional American Pilsner style cold brewed, light
roasted malt and hops beer.

> A little expensive. $3.95 for 1 pint 9.4 fluid ounces. But the
> alcohol content might justify it 8.5%. I'd like to find a place that
> sells this or similar beer for less than $40 for a case of 12. Any
> suggestions.

Doubtful that you'll find the cases <$40 [$48 is the best price I've
found for Ommegang] and 8.5% is normal for a "Double" ale like the
Ommegang, the "Trippel" and "Quad" run even higher (12.2% for the
Weyerbacher Quad... keeps you warm, but don't make any plans).

Bill

>>>> I have just tasted the most amazing beer. I'm wondering what others
think of it. Ommegang Abbey Ale

Bill's suggestions above are terrific. Ommegang is hard to beat at the
price in the U.S. for a Belgian-styled beer. You can buy similar
Belgian-styled beers which are actually from Belgium, but they tend to be
several dollars more for the same hefty-sized bottle.

In the price/style/quality market, if you like Belgians, you also might want
to try:

* The Hennepin made by the brewers of Ommegang--though it isn't as sweet
and robust. But it is still interesting and enjoyable.

* Anything from Unibroue, the Canadian brewer of Belgian-inspired brews.
Their Trois Pistoles is big, sweet, and zesty. The Maudite is good too, and
the Don de Dieu is a nice wheaty version of these strong, yeasty, but still
deceptively light beers.

* Allagash products if you can find them.

Also--when comparing Belgian and Belgian-styled beers--compare price tags
for the big bottles versus buying two or more small bottles. The big
bottles LOOK big--but they actually don't hold that much actual liquid.
Buying two 12-ounce bottles might actually be more price-effective.