Ommegang Rare Vos

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

In a time called four years ago, in a place called Iowa prior to the presence of beers from New Belgium Brewing a young man named Andy kept getting told about just how awesome Fat Tire Amber Ale was. How it was fruity but not too sweet, how it was smooth but full flavored, how it was just the most awesome beer. Andy, being one with an adventurous palate could not wait to try this "Fat Tire" beer that friends kept telling him of. Andy had built an imaginary beer in his mind, an ideal image of what "Fat Tire" might taste like. An imaginary beer that tasted nothing like Andy’s first sip of "Fat Tire". Years later upon his first sips of Rare Vos, Andy found what almost perfectly matched this image in his mind of what "Fat Tire" was to taste like. Rare Vos pours with a big head, not white, not tan but sort of yellow the beer is hazy with a nice orangeish gold color. The aroma has some metallic coppery notes right up front, but this is quickly followed by a sweet maltiness with some orange peel and a mild floral bouquet. The flavor presents a beautiful spicy hop character complimented by an orange peel like bitterness and a strong fruity malt featuring apples and pears, thoroughly enjoyable.

Sexy looking in the glass, the perfume matches. Candied orange rind, sweet malt, and fresh lemon spice. Very reminesent of the breweries other offerings (Prop. yeast nose). Succulent malt juiciness gives strength to the palate, refreshing finish of light hops and spice. There’s almost a slight winey sourness in the background. Very drinkable. 90

A little dissapointing. Had it on tap and it did not do much for me. Cloudy and golden. Not much finish.

750ml bottle. Pours hazy bright amber orange with big off-white head. Aroma of mild hops, yeast, caramel and grain malt, and some light fruit (maybe apricot and peach). Softer fruit more present on the palate. Smooth palate; not prickly or overcarbonated. Tasty and easy to drink; nice low abv.

Draft. Pours hazy golden yellow with very thick head. Smells sweet, of dark fruit. Sour yeast taste with hop finish, not as flavorful as I’d expect, medium bodied.

Flavour not as fruity as expected. Roasted malt, yeast, caramel, some hops, and fruits. Medium body with fizzy carbonation.

Poured from bottle. Hazy amber orange with small diminishing head leaving very little lacing. Aroma of spice and smoke. Luxurious mouthefeel with medium carbonation. Malty and sweet with citrus finish.