Once again it appears I’m on a Trader Joe’s kick for picking up new beers. And why wouldn’t I be? Trader Joe’s has some excellent deals on some great beers; I highly recommend visiting there if you’re up for something new that won’t put too big a dent in your wallet (that is, if your TJ’s has a liquor license).
This week I’ve moved on to Belgian ale with the Ommegang Abbey Ale. Like most Belgian ales, I’ve noticed, this one comes in a large, 750ml bottle and isn’t necessarily meant to be consumed without at least one other person. Alas, Deb took one sip and hated this beer, and as you can see in the image to the right, the bottle … ’tis empty. You do the math.
First of all, let’s get this out of the way: this beer has a name that sounds like a slurring drunkard with a dental retainer saying “OMG!” At first sip, I wasn’t sure I was drinking a Belgian ale, as it didn’t instantly remind me of other Belgian ales I’ve had in the past. With those other ales, you could taste that the beer was going to kick your ass. The OMG, on the other hand, sneaks out of the bottle, grabs the rest of the 750ml bottle by the neck and clobbers you in the noggin before you can read that it has 8.5% ABV.
The taste was quite unique, though Deb ruined the whole experience by saying the taste reminded her of Amaretto, a flavor she absolutely hates. Maybe that played with my head for a bit, but I saw where she was coming from. She does like Belgian brews, like the ever-awesome Chimay beers, so her not liking this one at first or second sip isn’t anything to brush off.
I, however, liked this beer the more I drank it. Was it because of the ABV? Possibly — it could explain the egg-sized lump on my head. Up against other Belgian ales, I’d likely put this one aside, but I would consider picking this up again. Just don’t tell me it tastes like Amaretto or dog testicles.
Incidentally, RateBeer gives the OMG an impressive 97 rating.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Mar 13, 2009 @ 17:15 EST5EDT
