Review Date 10/23/2007
Try?
Re-buy?
If you're a baseball fan, then you know how important a place Cooperstown, New York is. But if you're a beer fan, Cooperstown is very important, too. That's because it's the home of the exceedingly beautiful Ommegang Brewery, probably one of the most unusual you will fine in all of the United States.
Ommegang specializes in making Belgian-styled beers, and they did such a good job of it they were actually purchased by a major Belgian concern, Moortgat, a few years ago. Moortgat is most famous for its legendary beer Duvel, of course.
Ommegang was founded in 1997, and for their tenth year anniversary decided to release a very special beer: Chocolate Indulgence, a Belgian-style chocolate stout made with genuine imported Belgian chocolate and cellared at the brewery. Chocolate Indulgence weighs in at 7% alcohol by volume, so it has a little kick to it as well. It's also the most expensive beer I.'ve purchased from Ommegang at $9.49 for a corked and crowned 750ML bottle.
The brewery attributes a quote to Charles Dickens on the label:
There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate.
One wonders, then, what Dickens might have felt about a good friend with chocolate beer, Dickens of course mentioning beer in his works on numerous occasions. For my part, I'll quote our old Dickensian friend Oliver on the subject of chocolate beer: "Please sir, might I have some more?"
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence pours to a jet-black color with a thick creamy tan head and a sinfully appetizing nose of dark Belgian cocoa and spicy licorice. A thick layer of Brussels lace clings to the sides of my glass as the liquid descends. The first thing I notice as I take a sip is that the body here is a bit thinner than I would expect for a stout. That could be because I'm expecting more of an English style stout, while Ommegang seems to be taking liberties here to give us more of a Belgian styled one.
The chocolate is the next thing to grab my attention: rich, dark, powdery, bittersweet cocoa flavors dance on the tongue, accented by a hint of the licorice that the nose promised and a suggestion of cinnamon. Those flavors intensify into the finish, where they're joined by a bit of roasty coffee and dark malt flavors as well as a touch of warming alcohol. Overall, though the finish is balanced and smooth, and this is a very drinkable Belgian-style treat, although that thinness does seem to rear its head again in the finish as well.
That said, if I'm going to drink a chocolate beer I think I prefer Samuel Adams Chocolate Bock , a Rogue Chocolate Stout or a Young's Double Chocolate Stout to this one. Still, Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence is very tasty and decidedly more-ish. I think this could be a five star brew with a little more body, though.
And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.
*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.
(B)=Bottled
(D)=Draft
