Hennepin Saison - Brewery Ommegang

Louis Hennepin: Priest, Explorer, Beer namesake. Father Louis Hennepin is perhaps most famous for being the first european to discover (and write about) Niagara Falls. So it seems only natural that a man of his intrepid character would grace a beer that is adventurous, complex, and exciting. Hennepin is a Saison from Brewery Ommegang, available in both 4-pack and Euro-Bomber (750ml). As i’ve mentioned before, Ommegang is my favorite brewery, but would Hennepin be able to hold up to the hype? I’m not even much of a Saison guy (My previous experience with one being the Panic Attack Saison from Holy Mackerel, a story for another beer), but I pressed on, dear readers.

Dusting off my new Tulip glass, I popped the top off a bottle of Hennepin. I Opted for the 4-pack so on the off chance it was terrible I didn’t have to drink it all at once. The packaging is very nice, with a purple tinted illustration of Father Hennepin on a Canoe going over a waterfall. The label spoke of “Ale brewed with Grains of paradise, coriander, ginger, sweet orange peel”, an enticing new world of tastes awaiting my pour.

And what a pour it was! Three beautiful fingers worth of luxurious thick off-white head, topping off a light, almost blonde color. The head hangs around for a bit, but when it dissipates it leaves some very beautiful lacing, clinging to the glass like ivy up a brick wall. I really wish I had a camera ready when it was in the glass, because it truly was a thing of beauty. My mouth waters just remembering it.

Shoving my nose into the glass, I took in the bouquet of smells that hennepin had to offer. Sweet, fruity notes. Amazing balance, with not a hint of alcohol to be had. Impressive for a 6.8 beer. Truly Hennepin is a delight to look at, smell, but what of the taste?

With the first sip, it was true love. Such sweetness, how is that possible from a Saison? and yet, it’s incredible balanced, with a nice astringent quality to it. The fizzyness lifting the drink right off the palate, leaving hints of apricots, lemon, and a whole lot of grape. Could this be the beer that unseats Three Philosophers as my favorite offering from Ommegang? possibly, further research is merited, certainly.

So should you give Hennepin a try? Of course! You’d be doing a grave disservice to the spirit of Father Hennepin himself if you didn’t. His intrepid spirit flows through this beer just like water flowing over Niagara falls. And the great thing about Hennepin is that it’s down for whatever. Be it a drink on the porch after a hard days work, or combined with a blackened steak, Hennepin is ready to stand on its own or enhance anything else. Truly it is a wonderful Saison.

• Brewer: Brewery Ommegang 
• Style: Farmhouse Saison 
• 7.7 APV 
• Price: $12.00 
• Rating: 9.4 out of 10 

Fire and Blood Red Ale - Brewery Ommegang

“And I will take what is mine, with fire and blood, I will take it!”

-Daenerys Targaryen

Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, the First of Her Name, the Unburnt, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals, the First Men and the Rhynoar, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons. Love her or hate here, one cannot deny that the lady has some classy titles working for her. So naturally it makes sense of the mother of dragoons to lend her house motto to this incredible Red ale, Fire and Blood.

It’s important to note that Brewery Ommegang is not some novelty Brewery cranking out swill and riding on the coattails on the Pop-Culture lightning rod that Game of Thrones has become. On the contrary, they are one of the premier micro-brew producers in the nation, specializing in Belgian-style craft beers. Their love for beer is very evident in the care they take, not only in crafting unique and notable brews, but also in the fine presentation and craftsmanship in the packaging.

In this regard, Fire and Blood matches the excellence of other Brewery Ommegang beers. The beer is offered in a thick 750ml glass bottle, and topped off with a rather large cork letting you know from the moment you lay eyes on it that this is no ordinary drink. The label is very well done, complete with an artistic representation of one of Daenerys dragons . It’s a very subtle thing; Matte Black printing, with subtle metallic ink outlining the bottle, seems true to the mythos of the Game of Thrones series, while still being more at home on the shelf of a classy bar, not just something to slosh into a Solo Cup at a Dragon*Con hotel party (Not that there’s anything wrong with that).

After uncorking it and pouring it “slowly, to not disturb yeast sediment but with vigor to make a luxurious head and to unleash the bouquet” per the instructions on the bottle, the first thing to notice is it pours a beautiful, deep fiery red with a thick and lovely head. I’ve always worried I’m not pouring a beer perfectly, but after looking at this mysterious and exotic Red Ale, I knew I wouldn’t need to worry this time.

The scent is marvelous: not too strong, not too sweet. I had recently dabbled in a local High-Gravity beer the week before that overwhelmed the scent of the beverage with thick ethanol scent. But at 6.8%, Fire and blood is just right. I couldn’t quite pick out the hints of Chili promised on the label, but there were little peaks of spicy hops mingling with the strains of Belgian yeast, giving it a sweet, slightly fruity but luxurious smell to match its deep and mysterious color.

And finally, it came time to taste it. I had high expectations of this Beer, as Ommegang is one of my favorite breweries and Game of Thrones is one of my favorite shows, but I shouldn’t have given it a thought. It was amazing. Love at first sip, truly. As it washed over my mouth, I couldn’t help but delight in its balanced but bold flavors. American microbreweries often have an affinity for overloading beers with Hops, aspiring to add character, but Fire and Blood stands on its own without the need for this. The first few smooth, delicious sips were almost hard to pin down. The malty smoothness of it all contrasts with just the right amount of carbonation, with a pleasant, spicy and almost fruity end.

Unfortunately, much like summer, this beer will not be around forever, which is a shame as this beer is really a pleaser. It’s perfect for sipping on after a long day, or to compliment the perfect meal (I chose Blackened Salmon, and grilled Kabobs). If you can find a bottle, I’d highly recommend picking it up. Even if you’re not a fan of A Game of Thrones, this is a beer worthy of paying the iron price.

• Brewer: Brewery Ommegang
• Style: Red Ale
• 6.8 APV
• Price: $12.00
• Rating: 9 out of 10