Learn Beer » Reviews » Beer Talk

Beer Talk

BPA Belgian-Style Pale Ale

Published May 2013, Volume 34, Number 2

Brewery Ommegang

Cooperstown, NY

This unique Belgian pale ale is bronze in color with citrusy, spicy, floral hop flavors and aromas coming from the liberal amount of Styrian Goldings in the brew kettle followed by dry hopping of Cascade in the conditioning tank.

ABV: 6.2

ABW: 4.9

COLOR: 7

BITTERNESS: 35

ORIGINAL GRAVITY: 1056

AVAILABLE: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI

  • Lisa Morrison

    Dear Ommegang BPA, You’re a train wreck. Or you should be. You’ve got so much going for you—spicy, peppery Belgian yeast aromas, lemony-citrus Northwest hops, fruity alcohol warming, gorgeous body, a good head on your shoulders. You are an enigma. Are you a Belgian-style beer or a Northwest pale ale? It makes one wonder which is the real you. But the answer is right in the glass. You are all of that and more, and you manage to balance it all with the ease of Grace Kelly. Keep up the balancing act and you’ll go far. Love, Lisa.

  • Jeff Evans

    Capturing the complexity and subtleties of a Belgian ale is no easy task, but the masters of the trade at Ommegang clearly know how it’s done. Their Belgian-style Pale Ale is a study in ester management, combining soft floral notes and hints of dried banana with toffee from the malt and a sherbet-lemon sharpness from the hops without sacrificing crispness or refreshment—no mean feat in a beer that tops 6 percent ABV. This being a pale ale, you want some hop in the finish, and here the leafy hops take over while never being too aggressive. Clean and enjoyable.

Add Your Comments