Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence

February 12, 2010

With a name like Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence, it was practically impossible for me NOT to buy this beer to review!  I also thought, hey, maybe it would make a nice beer review as a Valentine’s Day drink instead of Champagne or whatever sappy romantic types buy for such occasions! (What do I know?)

As background, I’ve had mixed results with Brewery Ommegang offerings.  On one hand I really enjoyed their Witte, and more recently I was left a bit underwhelmed (and confused) by their Rare Vos.  Which way would the Chocolate Indulgence turn the tide?

Brewery Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence is a 7 % ABV Belgian-style chocolate stout.  It’s brewed in New York, but the brewery is owned by the same people who bring us Duvel, so they have some good Belgian connections.  The label explains that the beer is made with chocolate malts, and real Belgian chocolate.  Sounds like a winner so far, but let’s try it and see.

This chocolate stout pours a very dark brown, if not black color into my very cool looking glass.  This beer was basically opaque, as no light passes through its chocolaty goodness.  It created a decently sized coffee colored foamy had that had some decent retention, and made some good lacing as well.  Belgian lace?  Maybe not, but good enough for sure.  A good-looking beer!

If you had to guess what a beer named ‘Chocolate Indulgence’ smelled like, what would you say?  I don’t have to dive too deeply here when describing the aroma of this stout to you.  Chocolate is the primary aroma.  Mind you it isn’t overwhelming, its nicely represented but chocolate and chocolate malt is where this beer is at.

No surprises with the flavor either!  The Chocolate Indulgence has a primarily chocolaty flavor, but what’s nice about it is that is isn’t runaway sweet.  Its like that semi-sweet chocolate that’s used for baking, but the chocolate is there.  I also noticed a nicely balanced bitterness that especially comes through nicely in the finish, and what a nice aftertaste.  Lingering mellow chocolate with a little bit of that warming that lets you know this beer is still 7% ABV.

Another thing I like about this particular beer is that the alcohol flavors are not overwhelming in relation to the other flavors.  Sometimes it seems that the primary flavor of some beers is alcohol – but not this one.  You can tell its there but it plays a supporting role to the chocolate.

This beer has a mouthfeel that would be expected for a stout.  Creamy, with a nice full body.  This beer has some substance, and I find it to be very drinkable with good carbonation.  If it weren’t a 22 oz. bottle, I’d have another without question!

Overall, I really liked the Brewery Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence Stout, and I’d certainly buy it again.  It says on the label it’s to celebrate their 10th anniversary so I don’t know if this is part of their regular rotation or not, but I’m happy that I decided to try it.  I don’t think its my favorite chocolate stout, but its pretty close.  This would also make a super dessert beer!

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Posted in 4 Star Reviews, Ales, Bocks, Porters and Stouts