Ommegang Whitte... WOW

[haaseg]

My goodness.

I still haven't perfected my pallete, and I'm still not totally familiar with all the different styles/types of beer in the world. So every time I go to the store these days, I try to grab something new (I'm also aiming for amber colored bottles that aren't twist off ;) ).

Today I picked up 4 different 6-packs, one of them being the Ommegang Whitte. I just polished off one of them, and all I can really say is WOW. This is a really REALLY good beer. It was incredibly crisp and smooth... had that hint of banana and spice that people talk about that I'd never experienced before. After a long day of mowing lawns, trimming shrubbery, and painting, I'm sad to say that the glass finished a little too early. Right now I'm just bummed out that I only put 1 bottle in the fridge.

[zoom6zoom]

thats's why so many of us on the board have dedicated beer fridges!

Mine is packed full, must have at least 20 different kinds of brew in there right now. (OK, two bottles of Champagne, too.)

Don't pass on something just because it's a twist off - these are in increasing use by many of the craft brewers. Here in VA, Old Dominion has been using them exclusively for several years. A better rule would be: have I seen this advertised on TV? If so, pass. ;)

[haaseg]

I've got nothing personal against the use of twist-off caps. It's just that I need more bottles for my own brew until I can get that extra fridge and kegging system.

Of course, I could just go buy some empty bottles, but it's more fun for me to drink my way into a good supply of them.

[chazwicke]

Welcome to the board. You made me thirsty for some whitte.

[Lamprey]

Yes, welcome to the boards haaseg. I've found the Ommegang Whitte to be quite nice. I once had it with some Pad-Tai(sp?) (a spicy Thai food) and it paired well - the spices must have played off one another. I still have 6 - 8 bombers in the basement waiting for the warm summer month.

I suggest next time you're at the store to pick up an Ommegang Hennepin. Compared to the Whitte, it is a step up in both body and alcohol, but still quite pleasing on a warm summer's day.

[zoom6zoom]

I once had it with some Pad-Tai(sp?) (a spicy Thai food)

That would be Pad Thai. Nice dish, but not one they consider especially spicy.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by haaseg
Of course, I could just go buy some empty bottles, but it's more fun for me to drink my way into a good supply of them.

I know the feeling - I've just started to not care whether a the beer I buy is in a non-twist amber bottle.

[hops99]

Being in Jersey, try some Ramstein Wheat - a local brewery that churns out some tasty wheat beers.

[haaseg]

Thanks. I'll have to check them out.

I didn't fair so well with some of the other sixers I got. This Harpoon Hefeweizen reminds me of a Coors Light. It's supposed to be unfiltered... if that's the case, it appears that they didn't actually use any grain or yeast to make it. :mad:

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by haaseg
Thanks. I'll have to check them out.

I didn't fair so well with some of the other sixers I got. This Harpoon Hefeweizen reminds me of a Coors Light. It's supposed to be unfiltered... if that's the case, it appears that they didn't actually use any grain or yeast to make it. :mad:

That surprises me. I have enjoyed the Harpoon and found it acceptable.

As far as Ommegang goes, all their products are a delight to your tastebuds. Try them all.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by HogieWan
I know the feeling - I've just started to not care whether a the beer I buy is in a non-twist amber bottle.

I still open them all with an opener regardless of if they twist or not.

[NJ Tom]

You should visit their brewery in upstate NY. Well worth the trip

[TOBP_Steve]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
That surprises me. I have enjoyed the Harpoon and found it acceptable.


Hefes are my favorite style overall, and personally, I found Harpoon UFO undrinkable. Did not like it at all. However, a friend of mine who just started getting into Hefe's thought it was good. Most American micros that do Hefe's don't really do a good job. Except for Brooklyn, Capital Kloster Weizen, Sprecher and Shiner (yes, I said Shiner), there aren't too many worth applauding.

And to be honest, I didn't care all that much for the Ommegang Witte. I absolutely love the Abbey-style, but the Witte seemed bland to me. Maybe I should wait until the middle of the summer right after mowing the lawn.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by TOBP_Steve
. Most American micros that do Hefe's don't really do a good job. Except for Brooklyn, Capital Kloster Weizen, Sprecher and Shiner (yes, I said Shiner), there aren't too many worth applauding.


I think Widmer gives Hefes a bad name. I have never been a fan of their version.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I think Widmer give Hefes a bad name. I have never been a fan of their version.

My local good-beer-bar put it on tap for the summer, I might have to give it another try - I don't think I've had it since I was in Portland in '97. The Reisdorf Kölsch they also put on is outstanding - much better than the bottled variety.

S.

[TOBP_Steve]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I think Widmer give Hefes a bad name. I have never been a fan of their version.

I didn't mind Widmer too much. Not the best, but I've had far worse. The really bad ones like Saranac, Harpoon and Pyramid make Widmer seem stellar by comparison. The weird thing about Widmer was that it tasted like Fruit Loops.

Do American brewers try to brew a Hefe different than the German style? I can't figure out why American breweries can do very good versions of Abbey ales, stouts, porters, pale ales, but fall flat when it comes to Hefeweizen. Is there something they do in Germany that makes it difficult to copy?

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by haaseg
Thanks. I'll have to check them out.

I didn't fair so well with some of the other sixers I got. This Harpoon Hefeweizen reminds me of a Coors Light. It's supposed to be unfiltered... if that's the case, it appears that they didn't actually use any grain or yeast to make it. :mad:

Harpoon UFO Hefe is an American-style wheat beer, not a Bavarian Hefe. It is unfiltered but not bottle conditioned - slightly cloudy, probably not the layer of yeast you might find with a Weihenstephaner. And the flavors typical from the use of the Bavarian yeast strain won't be present.

http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/beers/ufo/index.htm

Prost!

[steveh]

Originally posted by TOBP_Steve
Do American brewers try to brew a Hefe different than the German style? I can't figure out why American breweries can do very good versions of Abbey ales, stouts, porters, pale ales, but fall flat when it comes to Hefeweizen. Is there something they do in Germany that makes it difficult to copy?

The American Wheat is one of those new/evolved styles - sort of an APA with wheat added for a little different body and good head retention. I think Widmer was one of the first and decided to keep the turbid cloudiness to cash in on the Hefeweizen popularity - though it's certainly not a Bavarian wheat. Some even say the American Wheat is a cross between a Berliner Weiss and a Belgian Wit.

AFA what they may do different in Germany (Bavaria), I think you answered that question by pointing out a few good micros. My local BP makes a pretty good one too.

S.

[wortchillergoal]

One of my hockey buddies tried the Ommegang Witte abd Satrqanac's version of that style last night. He liked the Saranc better, go figure.