Ommegang Rare Vos

Brewed by Brewery Ommegang (Moortgat)
Style: Belgian Ale
Cooperstown, New York USA

Serve in Trappist glass, Tulip, Tumbler

12 oz bottle to pint glass. Nice head with good retention, tasty light spicyness with fruity background flavors. My first non sour ommegang, and definitely will not be the last.

750ml brown bottle. Hazy amber colour, head roars up upon first pour and is dense and creamy with a rocky top, it eventually morphs into a thin swirly layer on the surface Aroma has some caramel malt sweetness, lots of yeast, citrus, some soft spice with underlying fruits. In the mouth there is are light winey fruity notes, light plums, caramel sweetness, dryish hay, crisp base malt. Yeasty end which contributes a mild spiciness and also some fruitiness which both carry over into the aftertaste. Medium body, very fine natural feel to the carbonation, soft and gentle in the mouth. Semi-complex, but still approachable.

Poured out a lightly hazy amber brew with a slight off white cap that is very full and fluffy and lasts quite a long time and leaves a bit of mess. Wonderful aroma of spicy yeasts, pepper, caramel, dark fruits in the area of ripe plums, breads, faint banana I think, slight funk that makes every sniff wonderful - yea - the defining aroma here. Good flavours of spices, bread, smooth caramel, bit of banana and clove, blend of random fruits and a hint of citrus here and there, pepper and pears. Just under medium bodied, smooth with soft carbonation. Finishes to the point where you have to have another sip immediately.

750mL corked bottle poured a hazy orangeish color with a big white head that settles to some fine lacing. Aromas of yeast and some kind of spices. Taste is malty sweetness and yeast with some spice and a long bitter finish. Quite nicely balanced. This is a decent beer.

Bottle cellared since summer 2010, probably produced in Spring 2010. Appearance is burgundy red, 1 finger head fades to a skin and keeps nice retention. Aroma is bready, spicy, yeasty, dried fruit, raisin, plum, cherry, strawberry, honey, caramel, yet very Belgian in character. Taste is just like it smells. Body is medium, high carbonation. Overall, after trying this every 4-6 months since putting it in my cellar, I finally like it. The harsh Belgian yeast subsides to reveal a highly drinkable yet complex brew of fantastic quality. Age this for at least a year to make it drinkable.

Into a snifter the appearance is a brilliantly dull and hazy orange with a micro-bubble head. Smelled of yeast, cloves and spices - quite delicate and sweet. Tasted a lil’ yeasty with hints of light roasted malts and herbal undertones. Finishes smooth and a little dry, refreshing overall.

12 oz. bottle. I’m becoming more and more a fan of the Ommegang brews, and the Rare Vos has not let me down. For a belgian made in the united states its very tasty and stays true to form. A good alternative to the stronger Ommegang beers

355ml bottle. Pours a dark reddy orange with a large head. Aroma is red wine fruits and nutty yeast. Taste is dark fruits and nutty yeast throughout. Nice and full in the mouth, but a little too much carbonation.