Gnommegang - Ommegang Brewery Review
After reviewing Chouffe from Brasserie d’Achouffe in Belgium, we had to snag a pack of these tall blue cans covered with delightful little gnomes. Why? Because Brasserie d’Achouffe shared their Chouffe yeast with Ommegang Brewery out of Cooperstown, New York, to make their own Belgian-style Blonde Ale: Gnommegang.
Ommegang filled this tall can with Pils, Carapils, Flaked oats, Flaked red wheat, and Special B malts, then they added Styrian Golding hops to balance it out. And don’t forget that special Belgian yeast adding its unique character.
Ommegang says we’ll “enjoy the smooth drinkability, fruity aromas and flavors, and warming finish.” I’m betting that the warming finish comes from the 9.5% ABV! Much higher than is normally seen in a blonde ale, but we’re game. So, let’s get after it.
First Impressions:
On the Eyes--Hazy straw color with a hint of orange, likely from the use of red wheat malt, and topped with a thick cream-colored head.
On the Nose--I get a lot of ester/ripe fruit aroma with a touch of Belgian spice. It smells like a Chouffe beer with some strong malt character.
On the Palate--Spicy and floral flavors hit the tongue immediately. The Belgian flavor is strong but not overbearing, and it really wakes up the senses. It certainly has that Chouffe character that is, well, so characteristic. The Styrian Golding hops add to the spicy and resinous flavors with a floral kick. The ester flavors taste very much like overripe bananas to me. It has a smooth mouthfeel with a bite on the tongue I love from Belgian-style ales. Slightly dry at the finish, and Ommegang wasn’t kidding when they said it will warm the cheeks. The high ABV strikes pretty hard, almost unexpectedly, so watch out for that if you’re sensitive to high alcohol.
Verdict:
As soon as I saw that 9.5% ABV on this Blonde ale I knew it was going to be an interesting sipper, and even more so after seeing that Ommegang used Chouffe yeast. This beer is certainly for the beer drinker that enjoys a Belgian-style strong ale. It tastes heavily hopped to achieve nice balance with the heavy malting. The Styrian Golding hops work well with the spicy, fruity yeast character, and I would say this is a damn good collaboration between two powerhouse brewers. You can really taste the refined and ancient Belgian character mixed with the American desire for excessiveness. Very cool beer in a very cool can.
Cheers!
Mr. Brew