Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence

One of the most aesthetically pleasing pours I’ve had in a while: 100% opaque ebony with lacing that wraps around the entire glass. Aroma is like opening a can of unsweetened cocoa powder and a relief: there are no syrupy notes. Also nice is cinnamon/Mayan chocolate. However, it’s got a shy nose that needs coaxing to become aromatic. Mouthfeel is chocolate milk--thick, silky, creamy, and the carbonation level is just right. Although a wee bit watery, the body is nice. Roasted, but not burnt, aftertaste. Spiciness shines through slightly (cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove). Barely detectable booziness makes it a happy ending. Smooth, mellow, clean, bittersweet goodness.

Bottle (Thanks to Puzzl) at PlanB. Dark dark brown - brown head. High metal, rusty iron, cafe chair, berries, red berries, caramel, light yeasty. Sorry Puzzl but far too much metal. - Again: #19 - Amerikaner Blind-Smagning 01-Maj-2009 hos Papsoe. Bottle. Again high metallic. (6/4/6/3/14)

deep brown pour with a huge caramel frothy head. roasted aroma with a hint of sweetness. flavor was lighter than I expected. chocolate was mainly in the background with roasted malt up front. creamy but still slightly thin in the mouthfeel. nice stout and very drinkable but with such a decadent name I was hoping for something more silky and chocolatey.

Pushed down 3 of these @ Oakmont Pub with friends last night. Served too cold to totally appreciate all the malty wonderfulness. Excellent finish.

Pours with a frothy, initially three-finger thick, brown tinged, tan colored head that leaves a tight lacing pattern on the sides of the glass and forms a modestly rocky surface as it slowly subsides. The beer is almost black in color, but has a touch of brown to it; if held up directly to the light I can just make out a ruby hue to this mostly opaque brew. The aroma smells of sweet chocolate extract as I am pouring the brew, but under direct observation this notes seems to take a back seat to the roast character. At other times though the chocolate note plays a more prominent role. Aromas of amply toasted grain, lightly roasted coffee, browned bread crust, sweet chocolate extract and chocolate liquor all mix together here in the nose.

The beer is fairly dry, lightly tart, but does have a touch of malt sweetness to it. This has a medium fullness to it and the beer finishes with a distinct, yet not overwhelming, roast grain bitterness. The long finish even has a touch of lingering, espresso-like acidity to it. Flavors of chocolate find there expression in the middle of this brew at it lingers on into the near finish; this corresponds to where the malt sweetness is found in this brew. This brew has a really nice, soft, creamy mouthfeel to it, especially as the initial full carbonation dies down a bit. The chocolate character & sweetness increases and the roast notes decrease as this brew warms up and loses carbonation too. It is actually much better after sitting around for 20+ minutes. At times notes of alcohol in the finish provide just a hint of warming and evoke thoughts of chocolate liquor.

With a name like Chocolate Indulgence I would expect this to be a little more decadent; perhaps a touch more residual malt sweetness would be just the thing. This does need a chance to breath, lose some carbonation and warm up a bit before it really comes into its own. Just out of the bottle it is a touch dimensionless and has a bit too much roast character (both roast notes and burnt acidity).

Pours out dark brown with a moderate tan head. Aroma is of some mild chocolate with some coffee. Flavor is of semi-sweet chocolate, roasted malt, some cocoa powder.

Mildly chocolately (nothing compared to southern tier’s choklat), sweet with an interesting sour character that was unexpected. Maybe it’s the Belgian-esque touch. Definitely more of a roasted malt character to me than chocolate. Not bad, though.

Nice dark brown pour; malty and roasty aroma with a hint of coffee. Very balanced flavor, chocolate is present but not overpowering or too sweet. Nice slightly bitter dry chocolate finish. Carbonation is excellent with good creamy mouthfeel, not quite full bodied enough at the end. I was surprised at the subtelty of the chocolate, but it works very well. This is a good solid beer although not a standout.