Beer pick of the week: Ommegang Adoration

Ommegang’s warming and spicy Belgian-style winter ale is worthy of adoration, indeed.

Belgian Strong Dark Ale

Brewery Ommegang

Cooperstown, NY

10% ABV

Ommegang’s winter seasonal is a spicy dark ale in the tradition of Noel beers from Belgium. Among the spices added are coriander, cumin, mace, cardamom, and grains of paradise, along with orange peel. The result is a rich, complex ale that hits all the right notes for the holidays.

Adoration pours a russet, reddish-brown, with an estery aroma of Belgian candi sugar, maple, mace, banana, orange zest, and some alcohol. Mulled spices and hard cider, along with a solid hit of Belgian yeast lead the taste profile. More fruitiness comes through mid-palate with plum, blood orange, overripe banana, raisin, and cherry. A rich spice melange and a faint sherry alcohol come on strong in the finish, leaving a little hotness on the breath. Some metallic tanginess lingers, but in a clean way. The mouthfeel is medium-full, with a bit of stickiness despite a tingly carbonation that seemed a tad too high. Very warming and boozy, but sophisticated and complex.